chased leaders, 4th halfway, 5th 4 out, ridden into 3rd 2 out, kept on into 2nd run-in, no chance with winner
soon led, ridden to assert entering straight, kept on strongly, comfortably
disputed early, soon chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden and no extra approaching 2 out, weakened before straight
chased leaders, fell 4th
mid-division, headway in 9th 4 out, ridden in 8th approaching 2 out, 5th entering straight, no impression and kept on one pace
mid-division, 12th 4 out, ridden and no impression next
held up towards rear, ridden into moderate 12th entering straight, kept on one pace
chased leaders, 9th halfway, 11th 4 out, ridden next, no impression in 9th 2 out, kept on one pace
chased leaders, 6th halfway, headway into 2nd 3 out, ridden 2 out, no impression leader before last, kept on same pace
mid-division early, 7th halfway, ridden into 5th 2 out, no extra in 6th entering straight, kept on same pace
chased leaders, 8th halfway, lost place before 4 out where pushed along in 13th, ridden into 11th 2 out, 8th entering straight, kept on same pace
towards rear for most, never a factor
chased leaders, 2nd halfway, ridden in 3rd after 3 out, no extra in 7th 2 out, kept on one pace
mid-division, ridden in 9th 3 out, 10th and no impression before 2 out, weakened
towards rear for most, never a factor
mid-division best, ridden in 10th 4 out, soon no extra and weakened
always towards rear
towards rear for most, never a factor
mid-division, headway into 6th 4 out, ridden into 4th 2 out, no extra entering straight, kept on same pace
Last year's winner BAHRAIN STORM is 14lbs higher this time but he followed up a day later on the flat and just to emphasise his well being looked in tremendous form when landing a Grade 3 at Tipperary recently. He obviously has plenty to do to follow up but he's certain to make a bold bid and gets the vote. Overturn went up an astonishing 45lbs in the handicap last term and it's not difficult to see why. He 'warmed up' for this by taking the Northumberland Plate at Newcastle and looks an obvious threat. Dirar is another recent winner on the level who has made great strides over timber and is still progressing. He can make his presence felt while Grand Opera gives Gordon Elliott a strong hand. Dual Grade 2 winner Luska Lad is reported in top shape by his trainer and has the class to carry his big weight into contention while New Phase represents Dermot Weld and cannot be dismissed despite a defeat by The Fonze at Limerick.
Bahrain Storm (IRE) 3-1 (11-4) Chased leaders travelling well, closed before 4 out, 3rd next, 2nd into straight, challenged and led from 2 out, soon clear, stayed on well, comfortably, won at Tipperary 2m hdl Grd 3 (1) gd beating Cuan Na Grai (11-4) by 5l, 12 ran.
Overturn (IRE) 9-2fav (11-0) Tracked leaders, challenged 3 out, led approaching 2 out, ridden and headed approaching last, kept on same pace, 2nd of 23, 2 3/4l behind Eradicate (10-1) at Haydock 2m hcp hdl G3 (1) gd in May.
Fosters Cross (IRE) 25-1 (11-12) Mid-division, mistake 3rd, soon towards rear, 8th when brought down 5 out, in a race won by Captain Cee Bee (11-12) at Punchestown 2m nov chs G1 gd in Apr, 10 ran.
Lethal Weapon (IRE) 25-1 (11-9) Led, headed 3 out, soon no extra, 10th of 17, 14l behind Slieveardagh (10-6) at Killarney 2m 1f hcp hdl gd in May.
Gloucester 33-1 (11-1) Held up towards rear, headway after 3 out, chased winner before next where not fluent, no impression, just held on for 2nd, 2nd of 17, 19l behind Australia Day (11-5) at Market Rasen 2m 1f lst hcp hdl (0-150) (1) gd.
New Phase (IRE) 15-8fav (11-6) Tracked leaders in 4th, improved into 2nd 4 out, dropped to 4th when not fluent 2 out, kept on same pace, 4th of 8, 5l behind The Fonze (11-6) at Limerick 2m hdl gf.
Tiger O'Toole (IRE) 8-1 (11-1) Mid-division, bumped 1st, mistake 3 out, soon ridden, never on terms with leaders, 6th of 17, 27l behind Australia Day (11-5) at Market Rasen 2m 1f lst hcp hdl (0-150) (1) gd.
Dantari (IRE) 5-1 (11-2) Led until ridden after 3 out, hampered after 2 out, still every chance last, not much room and switched left towards finish, 2nd of 14, 1 1/4l behind Humbel Ben (10-5) at Newton Abbot 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in Jun.
Dirar (IRE) 11-2 (11-9) Tracked leaders on inner, 5th halfway, 3rd after 3 out, travelled well to lead approaching straight, stayed on well from before last, won at Listowel 2m hcp hdl 8Evens23 gf in Jun beating Banna Man (9-8) by 1 3/4l, 11 ran.
Fisher Bridge (IRE) 25-1 (10-9) Always behind, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Chasing Cars (10-3) at Punchestown 2m 5f nov chs gd in Apr, 18 ran.
No One Tells Me 9-1 (11-5) Mid-division, good headway on outer into 3rd 3 out, 7th and no extra after next, 8th of 21, 24l behind Tarla (10-9) at Punchestown 2m 2f hdl G3 gd in Apr.
Tilabay (IRE) 7-1 (11-5) Held up in rear, in touch approaching 3 out, soon ridden and one pace, no extra from next, 4th of 5, 17l behind Final Day (11-12) at Downpatrick 2m 2f hdl gd.
Lady Hillingdon 10-3 (10-6) Held up, moderate 5th halfway, 4th 4 out, ridden and some progress after 3 out, no extra before next, left remote 3rd from last, 3rd of 8, 31l behind Cruising Katie (10-10) at Limerick 2m 3f nov chs gf.
Magnum Force (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) Raced in 4th, went 3rd before straight, travelling well 2 out, soon on terms, left in front and stayed on well from last, won at Roscommon 2m hdl gf in Jun beating Grey Soldier (11-8) by 1 3/4l, 6 ran.
Alpine Glade (IRE) 9-4 (11-1) In touch towards rear, closer in 3rd after 4 out, chased leader in 2nd before next, led 2 out, clear last, stayed on well, won at Killarney 2m 1f hdl gd in May beating Sweeps Hill (11-12) by 4 1/2l, 6 ran.
Jigalo (IRE) 5-2fav (11-5) Rear of mid-division, progress 3 out, 5th approaching 2 out, no impression under pressure and kept on same pace from before last, 4th of 16, 6l behind Adajal (10-1) at Ballinrobe 2m 1f hcp chs 0-116 gd in May.
Amazing King (IRE) 14-1 (11-9) Held up, always behind, 10th of 13, 31l behind Mesbaah (10-8) at Musselburgh 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs in Nov.
Grand Opera (IRE) 2-1fav (11-5) Held up in touch, pushed along and outpaced approaching 3 out, ridden approaching 2 out, left 3rd last, kept on same pace, 3rd of 6, 5l behind Red Kingdom (10-12) at Perth 2m nov chs (4) gf in Jun.
Slieveardagh (IRE) 8-1 (10-6) Mid-division, headway into 4th 2 out, ran on strongly under pressure run-in to lead near line, won at Killarney 2m 1f hcp hdl gd in May beating Castle Anshan (10-2) by hd, 17 ran.
Luska Lad (IRE) 11-2 (11-5) Led, headed after 3 out and soon weakened, 9th of 12, 49l behind Reve De Sivola (11-10) at Punchestown 2m 4f nov hdl Grade 1 gd in Apr.
Dreamy Gent (IRE) 11-2 (11-10) Tracked leaders, 2nd 4 out, ridden in 3rd next, no impression when left clear 2nd and hampered last, no extra, 2nd of 11, 8l behind Don't Be Bitin (12-0) at Wexford 2m 1f hcp chs gd in Jun.
Gimli's Rock (IRE) 10-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, closed to lead before 2 out, ridden clear last, stayed on well run-in, won at Punchestown 2m 4yo hdl gd in Apr beating Doctor Deejay (11-7) by 4l, 18 ran.
Alpine Eagle (IRE) 9-2 (10-12) Always prominent, 3rd from before straight, soon 2nd, no impression under pressure and kept on same pace from before last, 5th of 17, 2 3/4l behind Slieveardagh (10-6) at Killarney 2m 1f hcp hdl gd in May.
