chased leaders, closed up 6th, challenged 8th, soon led, joined at last, headed and kept on same pace run-in
prominent, hampered 4th where left disputing lead, headed from next, led from 7th, headed after 8th, no extra and one pace approaching last
tracked leaders, hampered 4th where left disputing lead, led from next, headed from 7th, no extra and one pace approaching last
soon tracked leaders, hampered 4th, slight mistake 5th, switched right to challenge before last where on terms, led and stayed on best run-in
led until fell 4th
in rear, hampered 4th, detached 7th, soon no impression, slight mistake last, one pace
The four-year-old MUTHAZA is top-rated here which is hardly surprising given her three impressive victories since arriving from France. This is a step-up in class but she should pass with flying colours. The Nutcracker should provide a good test as she has been in fine form on the Flat and over hurdles while Colla Pier has also been running in strong handicaps since scoring at Punchestown last November. Water Sprite won on the Flat at the Galway Festival and has a progressive profile over hurdles.
Colla Pier (IRE) 6-1cfav (10-10) Very slowly into stride, towards rear, 9th after 5th, headway from 4 out, pushed along from next, one pace from between last 2, 6th of 12, 13 1/4l behind Winter Lion (10-3) at Bellewstown 2m 1f hcp Yielding in Jul.
Flaviana (IRE) 14-1 (11-5) Mid-division, fell 2nd, at Galway 2m hcp Yielding in Jul.
The Nutcracker (IRE) 6-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, 7th halfway, ridden into 4th 2f out, stayed on to lead 1f out, headed final 150 yards, kept on same pace, 2nd of 16, 1 1/2l behind Tap Focus (8-9) at Roscommon 1m 4f hcp gd in Aug.
Water Sprite (IRE) 3-1fav (9-10) Chased leaders, improved to dispute lead travelling smoothly over 1 1/2f out, edged left and bumped inside final furlong, kept on without matching winner close home, 2nd of 9, nk behind Paddy The Celeb (10-0) at Tramore 2m hcp gd in Aug.
Muthaza (FR) 1-6fav (11-0) Slight mistake 1st, soon chased leaders in moderate 3rd, closed in 2nd from 2 out, on terms from before last, soon led and asserted, stayed on well, won at Galway 2m 1f gd in Jul beating Cable (11-0) by 6 1/2l, 8 ran.
Little Stampy (IRE) 11-1 (10-12) Held up in last, ridden in last after 3 out, closer and disputing 3rd under pressure when mistake and unseated rider at last, at Ballinrobe 2m 5f gd in Jul.
