held up in rear, ran freely, some headway in 5th approaching 2 out, ridden and no impression before last, kept on one pace
led, jumped right, pressed 2 out and soon headed, ridden and no impression on winner before last, kept on one pace run-in
tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, pushed along approaching straight, no impression after 2 out and not fluent last, kept on one pace
tracked leaders, 5th halfway, slight mistake 4 out, pushed along in rear approaching straight, no extra, weakened
tracked leaders, 4th halfway, headway 2 out and soon led, asserted approaching last and stayed on well run-in, comfortably
tracked leader, not fluent 1st, 2nd halfway, headway to challenge 2 out, ridden and no impression on winner when slight mistake last, kept on one pace
Onto the hurdles course for this and a cracking race in prospect. Ivan Grozny won the event a year ago when it carried Grade 2 status which gives him plenty to do with a 9lb penalty. His stable companion, the unexposed Coquin Mans, looks one of the finds of the season so far as she's now unbeaten in five starts having followed her impressive hat-trick over hurdles by scoring on the Flat at Listowel. She'll be better over further in time while this may now be on the short side for the brilliant Jezki, the winner of eight Grade 1 races from two to three miles though out of form in his two starts in the spring. His stable companion, the lightly-raced Forge Meadow, should win good races this campaign as should the four-year-old Ex Patriot, who has fitness on his side and was conceding lumps of weight to the in-form On The Go Again when a close third at Listowel. JER'S GIRL (NAP) won two Grade 1 novice events last year and was in touch when falling in the Mares' Hurdle at Cheltenham in March. She returned to action with a facile victory on the Flat at Roscommon last week and can take this before going on to better things in the coming weeks.
Ivan Grozny (FR) 12-1 (9-7) Led, headed narrowly 7f out, driven and lost place over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 15th of 19, 26 3/4l behind Nakeeta (9-5) at York 1m 6f hcp (2) gd in Aug.
Coquin Mans (FR) 1-4fav (11-0) Held up behind leaders, 4th halfway, closer in 3rd 2 1/2f out, 2nd 2f out, ridden to lead 1 1/2f out, kept on well under pressure inside final furlong, asserted closing stages, won at Listowel 1m 6f hvy in Sep beating Ask Susan (10-9) by 2 1/4l, 5 ran.
Jer's Girl (IRE) 5-2 (9-6) Tracked leaders, soon 6th, closed up before straight and quickly challenged, led from 2f out, asserted 1f out, stayed on well, comfortably, won at Roscommon 1m 4f mdn hvy in Sep beating Solo Saxophone (9-5) by 5 1/2l, 14 ran.
Forge Meadow (IRE) 9-1 (11-5) Towards rear, pushed along and some headway from 3 out, moderate 4th next, soon no impression, no extra and not fluent last, 4th of 7, 17 1/4l behind Cilaos Emery (11-12) at Punchestown 2m (1) Good - Yielding in Apr.
Jezki (IRE) 6-5fav (11-10) Soon raced in 4th, pushed along in 3rd before 3 out, no impression approaching straight, soon dropped to last and eased, not fluent 2 out, last of 5, dist behind Diakali (11-0) at Fairyhouse 2m Good - Yielding in Apr.
Ex Patriot (IRE) 5-1 (11-10) Held up towards rear, headway after 3 out and went 3rd before next, pushed along approaching last, ridden and kept on one pace run-in, 3rd of 10, 2l behind On The Go Again (10-8) at Listowel 2m hcp hvy in Sep.
