not fluent, in touch, losing ground on leaders when mistake 7th, behind from 11th, tailed off 12th, pulled up before 4 out
led, headed just after 4 out, relegated to 3rd when left 2nd 2 out, stayed on same pace flat
tracked leader, closed 12th, led just after 4 out, narrow advantage when blundered badly 2 out, not recover
held up in touch, hit 12th, not fluent 15th, went close 2nd when left in lead 2 out, soon ridden, worn down final strides
held up and behind, went 4th 10th, awkward jump 3 out, stayed on well approaching last, went 2nd flat, led final strides
always behind, not fluent 9th, tailed off after 10th
Ofarel D'Airy gets the vote over Glasker Mill and Boychuk, with Fundamentalist not out of it either. Ofarel D'Airy hails from the all-conquering Nicholls stable that collected last year with Cornish Sett, and will strip fitter after his return to action over hurdles here in October. He looked in need of the run that day, and should be a different proposition back over the bigger obstacles, having already won round here before. A mark of 145 is a bit harsh, but he is only a five-year-old, and has more to come hopefully. Glasker Mill has bags of potential but needs to get his jumping together, while Boychuk will not mind the ground, but went off the boil last term, and it remains to be seen whether he can recapture his early form. The Twiston-Davies stable have been firing in the winners, and Fundamentalist was sent off favourite to add to the tally on his return to action at Aintree last month, but could only stay on at the one pace. He can benefit from the step up in trip today, but has it to do to to stop Ofadel D'Airy from prevailing.
Ballyfoy (IRE) 11-2 (11-9) Led, kept on gamely when strongly pressed from 2 out, headed approaching last, rallied as winner idled flat, just held, 2nd of 5, nk behind Classified (11-9) at Cheltenham 3m 1f nov chs (2) gd in Apr.
Boychuk (IRE) 4-1 (10-13) Tracked leaders, ridden after 15th, not in danger from 3 out, 7th of 9, 8l behind Harris Bay (10-7) at Ascot 3m hcp chs (2) gf.
Fundamentalist (IRE) 7-2fav (11-12) In touch, mistake 3rd, went 2nd at 4th, one pace flat, 2nd of 16, 4l behind Kilmackilloge (10-6) at Aintree 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Oct.
Ofarel D'airy (FR) 11-4fav (10-13) Soon chasing leader, ridden 3 out, mistake and weakened 2 out, 6th of 12, 13l behind From Dawn To Dusk (10-11) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gd in Oct.
Glasker Mill (IRE) 25-1 (10-4) Held up towards rear, ridden after 4 out, soon weakened, 12th of 19, 26l behind Abragante (11-0) at Haydock 2m 7f hcp hdl (2) gd in May.
Good Man Again (IRE) 33-1 (9-12) Prominent, ridden 10th, mistake 4 out and weakened, behind when pulled up 3 out in race won by Professor Hegarty (11-2) at Hereford 3m 1f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf in Oct, 12 ran.
