always towards rear, ridden and no impression entering straight, weakened and tailed off
mid-division, closer approaching 2 out, ridden behind horses before last, 4th after last, kept on into 3rd run-in, no impression on leaders
chased leaders, 6th halfway, challenged on inner before 2 out, ridden 2 out, no extra before last and eased, tailed off
slight mistake 1st, soon chased leader, 2nd halfway, challenged 4 out, disputed travelling well before 2 out, slight mistake 2 out and ridden, no extra in 3rd last, kept on one pace and dropped to 4th run-in
chased leaders, 4th halfway, slight mistake 3 out, soon ridden and weakened, pulled up before last
chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden in 5th entering straight, no impression 2 out, kept on one pace from before last
mid-division, progress approaching 2 out, led before last, ridden and pressed run-in, kept on well closing stages
always towards rear, ridden and weakened entering straight, pulled up before last
mid-division, ridden and no extra entering straight, weakened before 2 out, pulled up before last
led and clear early, reduced advantage 3rd, slight mistake 4 out and pressed, ridden after 2 out, headed before last, no extra in 4th last, kept on one pace
mid-division, progress approaching 2 out, ridden into 2nd last, pressed winner run-in, no extra closing stages
always towards rear, ridden and no impression 3 out, weakened and tailed off
chased leaders, 5th halfway, improved into 2nd 3 out, challenged before 2 out, ridden 2 out, no impression in 5th and slight mistake last, kept on one pace
It's difficult to know what to make of TOWNSHEND though connections went to 170,000 euros to get him after he beat a big field at Auteuil in June. He's presumably thought much better than a 131-rated hurdler so gets the vote. He faces some in-form rivals here including Coolaghknock Glebe, who has taken advantage of very testing conditions to win here and at Down Royal. He's up another 10lb but probably hasn't finished yet. Squouateur made a successful handicap debut at Leopardstown where he was always travelling well and defied a last-flight error. He has more in him and should go well while the lightly-raced Sam Red is likely to prove better than he showed at Cork in November, his first start since placed in a Grade 3 here in April. Diamond Cauchois is another interesting contender after an impressive debut for Sue Bramall at Thurles.
Captainofthefleet (IRE) 12-1 (11-10) Always towards rear, never a factor, pushed along in rear before 9th, soon detached, pulled up before 3 out, at Clonmel 3m hcp hvy in Nov.
Mall Dini (IRE) 5-2fav (11-7) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, improved to lead 3 out, ridden and headed before last, no extra in 3rd last, kept on same pace, 3rd of 15, 5 1/2l behind Rathpatrick (10-13) at Punchestown 3m hcp sft in Jan.
Jimmy Two Times (IRE) 12-1 (11-10) Mid-division, ridden and dropped towards rear after 4 out, soon no impression, 11th of 15, dist behind Rathpatrick (10-13) at Punchestown 3m hcp sft in Jan.
Townshend (GER) (10-5) won at Auteuil 2m 1f hvy in Jun beating Bohemian Dancer (10-10) by 1/2l, 18 ran.
Grand Partner (IRE) 13-2 (11-12) Chased clear leader, slight mistake 4th, remote 3rd halfway, not fluent 7th and 4 out, no extra in 5th and mistake 2 out, weakened, tailed off, 5th of 6, dist behind Miley Shah (11-0) at Killarney 2m 4f Yielding in May.
Sam Red (FR) 2-1fav (11-6) Chased leaders, slight mistake 4 out, on terms into straight, soon headed, 2nd 3 out, soon bumped slightly, dropped to moderate 4th from before 2 out where not fluent, hit last, one pace, 4th of 12, 14 3/4l behind Damut (10-9) at Cork 2m 4f hcp hvy in Nov.
Squouateur (FR) 11-4 (10-10) Mid-division, 6th halfway, smooth progress entering straight and close 2nd when bumped last, under pressure and drifted left run-in, led final 100 yards and kept on well, won at Leopardstown 2m 4f hcp hvy in Dec beating Archive (11-8) by 3l, 7 ran.
Billbushay (IRE) 66-1 (11-1) Soon led, pushed along and headed before straight, no extra and dropped behind from 3 out, tailed off, last of 5, dist behind Three Stars (11-1) at Navan 2m (1) Yielding - Soft in Nov.
Golan Lodge (IRE) 5-1 (10-7) Mid-division on outer, 7th halfway, progress 2 out and went 2nd entering straight, ridden to challenge last, led run-in and kept on well under pressure, won at Leopardstown 3m hcp sft in Jan beating Childrens List (11-7) by 1/2l, 12 ran.
Total Recall (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, improve to dispute 5 out, led after 4 out, strongly pressed from 3 out, headed after 2 out, ridden in 3rd entering straight, no extra before last, 7th of 13, 22 1/4l behind Walk To Freedom (11-12) at Punchestown 2m 4f Good - Yielding in Apr.
Coolaghknock Glebe (IRE) 13-8fav (11-7) Mid-division, 5th halfway, progress after 3 out, travelled well to lead last and kept on well run-in, comfortably, won at Down Royal 2m 2f hcp hvy in Feb beating Tyrone Tiger (9-12) by 2 3/4l, 10 ran.
Shamiran (IRE) 33-1 (10-13) Led and disputed, ridden and weakened 4 out, 14th of 15, dist behind Rathpatrick (10-13) at Punchestown 3m hcp sft in Jan.
Diamond Cauchois (FR) 16-1 (10-0) Mid-division on outer, 6th halfway, progress 4 out and led entering straight, asserted approaching last, stayed on well run-in, won at Thurles 2m 4f hcp sft in Jan beating Followmeuptocarlow (11-0) by 6 1/2l, 13 ran.
