held up in moderate 6th, ridden and no impression from 4f out
led, ridden and strongly pressed entering straight, headed under 2f out, soon no impression in moderate 3rd
tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden in 3rd 2f out, soon moderate 2nd, kept on without threatening easy winner
tracked leaders in moderate 5th, headway travelling well entering straight, led on bridle under 2f out, shaken up briefly final furlong, stayed on well, easily
raced in close 2nd, ridden and weakened entering straight
tracked leaders in 4th, moderate 3rd and ridden entering straight, weakened
raced last, no impression entering straight, some modest late headway
John Kiely has a deserved reputation for producing decent bumpers and MISSISSIPPI RIVER looks another from the production line. The son of Sadler's Wells made a promising debut at Punchestown in April and showed the benefit with a very good run behind Rebel Fitz at Galway last month where he finished with a flourish from a very unpromising position. Losses can be recouped here though Henrietta's Way produced a real shock to beat For Dylan at Clonmel and is likely to have come on for that run. Romantic Lead was behind the selection at Galway and is unlikely to turn the tables and the four-year-old mare Annie Other doesn't quite look up to this despite her allowances.
Romantic Lead 14-1 (12-0) Mid-division, 7th halfway, ridden 2f out, no extra in 6th 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 6th of 11, 4 1/2l behind Rebel Fitz (12-0) at Galway 2m N H flat gd in Oct.
Henrietta's Way (IRE) 25-1 (11-2) Made virtually all and clear for most, niggled along 5f out, joined briefly and ridden 2f out, stayed on well final furlong, won at Clonmel 2m N H flat in Oct beating For Dylan (12-0) by 4l, 6 ran.
Grove Pride Double Trigger gelding out of Dara's Pride.
Mississippi River (IRE) 2-1fav (11-0) Held up towards rear, ridden in 8th 2f out, 5th and switched 1f out, ran on well final furlong to 2nd close home, 2nd of 11, 1 1/4l behind Rebel Fitz (12-0) at Galway 2m N H flat gd in Oct.
Reapers Gathering (IRE) 6-1 (12-0) Mid div until prog from 5out, cl en 4th & mstk 4out, wknd from 2out, 5th of 11, 31l behind Tell Me Rose (12-0) at Ballynoe 3m ire ptp gd in Apr.
Annie Other (IRE) 8-1 (10-11) Mid-division, ridden straight, 5th under 2f out, kept on same pace, 4th of 16, 15l behind Valleymount (10-13) at Cork 2m Mares Nat Hunt Flat (4yo) hvy in Oct.
Oh So Sweet (IRE) High-rise filly out of Gallic Honey.
