held up towards rear, smooth headway after 6th, hit 3 out, went 2nd on bit soon after, led going well before 2 out, shaken up and clear between last 2, eased near finish
keen hold in mid-division, mistake 5th, ridden and weakened approaching 4 out, tailed off
prominent, went 2nd approaching 6th, led approaching 4 out, ridden and headed before 2 out, no chance with winner
always behind, tailed off 4 out, pulled up before 2 out
in rear, well behind when blundered 2 out, tailed off
held up in mid-division, headway from 6th, challenged for 3rd 3 out, weakened next, beaten when hit last
took keen, hold, prominent, ridden approaching 4 out, weakened after next, tailed off
took keen hold, in touch, chased leading pair after 3 out, one pace and no impression when hit next
always in rear, mistake 4 out, well behind when went left and hit 2 out
Nessa ran better in a point-to-point last time and has to be considered but she faces no easy task here against former Irish point winner EASTERN SURPRISE, who gets the verdict with Cooksgrove Lady rated the best of the rest. The selection was three times a winner between the flags in Ireland, has been showing improved form over hurdles of late and, over a trip that suits, Gavin Cromwell's mare looks the one to be on. Francly Flora would have gone close but for falling two out over course and distance two outings ago and she has to be respected on that evidence. Drain Hopper is lightly raced having only had one start in an Irish point so far and has to be considered on her rules debut along with Nigel Hawke's On Oath, although she needs to step up on the form shown so far to trouble the judge. Gordon Elliott's Cooksgrove Lady stepped up on previous efforts when running out the good winner of a selling hurdle at Hexham last month and she has solid claims but Eastern Surprise looks to have been found a decent opportunity to open her account and she gets the vote.
Cooksgrove Lady (IRE) 5-2 (10-0) Held up in rear, tracking leaders 6th, headway to lead on bit approaching last, soon clear, comfortably, won at Hexham 2m 4f sell (5) gd in Jun beating Super Ross (11-9) by 18l, 13 ran.
Drain Hopper 6-1 (12-0) Mid div, prog to tr ldrs 4out, 3rd 3out, eff aftr 2out, not get on terms, ko, 3rd of 15, 6l behind Henrys Little Gem (12-0) at Necarne 3m ire ptp in May.
Eastern Surprise (IRE) 10-1 (10-13) Chased leaders, 2nd halfway, ridden in 2nd before 3 out, under pressure in 3rd 2 out, kept on same pace, 4th of 15, 22l behind Older And Wiser (11-4) at Bellewstown 3m mdn hdl (6yo+) gd.
Francly Flora 25-1 (10-5) In touch, weakened after 6th, behind when pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Plunkett (10-9) at Ffos Las 2m 4f nov hdl (3) gd in Jun, 11 ran.
Glorious Gin 100-1 (10-4) Pulled hard, tracked leader, that rival clear approaching 3rd, lost 2nd before 6th, weakened quickly, tailed off, 10th of 16, well behind King Keano (11-0) at Stratford 2m mdn hdl (4) gf in Jun.
Nessa 5-2 (11-7) Prom; lft in ld 13-14; led 15 til hdd aft 2 out; no ex, 2nd of 6, 5l behind Trizzy (11-7) at Kingston Blount 3m ptp gd in Jun.
On Oath (IRE) 33-1 (10-5) Held up, ridden and no chance from 5th, tailed off, left distant 3rd last, 3rd of 6, 47l behind Come Out Firing (11-5) at Newton Abbot 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gf in Jun.
Orchid's Silver 50-1 (10-7) Mid-division, ridden after 7th, never dangerous, 5th of 12, 44l behind Silver Bay (11-0) at Worcester 3m mdn hdl (5) gf in Jun.
Tenawa 125-1 (10-6) Refused to race, took no part, in a race won by Bakbenscher (11-9) at Wincanton 2m NH flat (6) sft in Mar '08, 12 ran.
Tubby Nugget 100-1 (9-12) Held up, ridden 7th, bad mistake 3 out, behind when pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Plunkett (10-9) at Ffos Las 2m 4f nov hdl (3) gd in Jun, 11 ran.
