led and clear early, joined before 2 out, soon headed and no extra
chased leaders until mistake and unseated rider 5 out
keen hold in rear, some headway before 2 out, soon no extra under pressure
waited with, 7th 4 out, went 3rd travelling well from after 2 out, led last, stayed on well run-in, headed near finish
prominent, lost place from before 2 out, moderate 6th and no impression from before straight
chased leaders, closer in 2nd after 2 out, ran on well under pressure run-in to lead near finish
waited with, 6th 4 out, closer in 4th from after 2 out, 3rd and kept on same pace under pressure from last
waited with towards rear, went moderate 5th before straight, kept on under pressure without threatening leaders run-in
prominent, led after 2 out, headed and no extra from last, kept on same pace
chased leaders, 3rd 3 out, on terms before next, soon headed and no extra
mid-division, dropped behind 3 out, pulled up after next
Made In Taipan is probably slightly better over fences than hurdles though he's a class act over both. He's changed stables since beating Head Of The Posse over 2m4f at Killarney in May and with his penalty may just need this. Hebridean landed a novices' Grade 2 at Kempton when trained by Paul Nicholls and is Listed class on the level. He's had a long break and is another likely to be better for the run. Morning Ireland looked one to follow when easily landing a maiden in his own age group at Clonmel but faces very much tougher opposition here and it's fellow four-year-old PRIORS GOLD who gets the vote. Gordon Elliott's charge ran a superb race when just failing to concede 21lb to Star Of Aragon in an all-aged handicap at Cheltenham last week and can go one better. The consistent Inspector Clouseau is another to consider in an open contest.
Made In Taipan (IRE) 7-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, dropped to 5th before straight, soon struggling until stayed on well from last to lead near finish, won at Killarney 2m 4f hdl gd in May beating Head Of The Posse (11-6) by 1/2l, 8 ran.
Der Spieler (GER) 11-1 (11-12) Towards rear, bad mistake 3 out, no extra after, tailed off, 13th of 16, well behind Air Chief (11-7) at Limerick 2m 1f beg chs gd in Jul.
Hebridean (IRE) 5-2 (11-0) Held up in rear, headway approaching 3 out, soon shaken up, no impression, weakened approaching 2 out, 4th of 13, 36l behind Walkon (11-0) at Aintree 2m 4yo nov hdl G1 (1) gd in Apr '09.
Inspector Clouseau (IRE) 8-1 (10-11) In touch towards rear, closed into 4th before 2 out, soon struggling, kept on without threatening run-in, 3rd of 9, 2l behind Pozyc (10-4) at Listowel 2m 4f hcp hdl hvy in Sep.
Dariak (FR) 9-2 (11-9) Led, stumbled and unseated rider after 6th, in a race won by Raise Your Heart (11-6) at Punchestown 2m 2f Listed hdl sft in Oct '08, 5 ran.
Capellanus (IRE) 9-1 (10-7) Mid-division, 10th halfway, ridden and no impression from 2 out, 11th of 26, 12l behind Final Approach (10-9) at Leopardstown 2m hcp hdl 0-145 sft in Jan.
Priors Gold 9-1 (11-4) Held up in rear, headway on inside after 2 out, challenged last, held towards finish, 2nd of 8, 2 1/4l behind Star Of Aragon (9-11) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (3) gf.
Louisville Lip (IRE) 9-4fav (11-4) Settled in rear of mid-division on outer, good progress to go 3rd and challenged briefly 2 out, soon no impression and 5th when mistake last, eased when beaten run-in, 8th of 12, 10l behind Much Acclaimed (10-10) at Listowel 2m 4yo hcp hdl sft in Sep.
Knockcroghery (IRE) 8-1 (10-7) Prominent, 2nd halfway, led after 3 out, headed under pressure next, no extra from before last, 5th of 12, 7l behind Much Acclaimed (10-10) at Listowel 2m 4yo hcp hdl sft in Sep.
Morning Ireland (IRE) 9-10fav (11-2) Soon tracked leaders, 2nd travelling well before 2 out where led, clear last, stayed on well, easily, won at Clonmel 2m 4yo mdn hdl gd in Sep beating Sughera (10-11) by 7l, 16 ran.
Merveilles 14-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, 7th halfway, 5th 5 out, headway in 3rd entering straight, ridden into 2nd 2 out, no impression leader approaching last, left lead, kept on, won at Thurles 2m 2f beg chase gd in Mar '09 beating Earth Magic (11-12) by 1 1/4l, 14 ran.
