led until before 2nd, led 5th until 6th, close 2nd when pulled up before 11th, dismounted
in touch on outside, close 3rd 3 out, challenged next, led last, quickened clear flat
held up in touch in rear, headway 11th, challenged next, led 2 out, driven, blundered and headed last, no impression on winner after
chased leaders on inside, left 2nd 11th, led after 4 out, headed 2 out, still close 3rd last, stayed on same pace
pushed along after 1st and to lead after 2nd, headed after 4 out, well beaten from next
took keen hold, in touch, not fluent and lost place 7th, outpaced before 3 out, disputing modest 4th when blundered and weakened 2 out
withdrawn
Midnight Cowboy left it late to edge out Red Hanrahan at Warwick but is only a pound worse off and would have been an unlucky loser. That form taken literally gives him a bit to find with recent course and distance winner Alcala, however, while Brother Tedd’s victory at Uttoxeter will have boosted confidence. Ballybolley’s fall at Uttoxeter was a rare blip but he looks too high in the weights now. It’s rare to see Grade 2-winning chasers in action at this time of year and IRISH CAVALIER looked to be back on a fair mark when third last time at Punchestown - Rebecca Curtis’ grey can show his class here.
Irish Cavalier (IRE) 12-1 (11-10) Towards rear, hampered 4 out, closer in 7th 3 out, ridden and headway into 3rd and not fluent 2 out, 4th at last, kept on same pace run-in, 3rd of 14, 7 1/4l behind Sizing Granite (11-1) at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp Good - Yielding in Apr.
Alcala (FR) 10-11 (11-8) Shade keen, tracked leader, awkward 1st, led 3rd, made rest, not fluent 7th (water), hit 8th and next, quickened clear after 3 out, shaken up between last 2, easily, won at Newton Abbot 2m 5f hcp (3) gs in Jun beating Exxaro (11-6) by 33l, 2 ran.
Brother Tedd 10-11jfav (11-2) Disputed lead until 3rd, stayed 2nd, pushed along after 4 out, challenged from 3 out, led 2 out, driven out, won at Uttoxeter 2m 4f (3) gd in May beating Beat That (11-2) by 1/2l, 3 ran.
Midnight Cowboy 5-2fav (11-8) In touch in 4th, mistake 5 out, ridden and outpaced after 2 out, kept on to lead near finish, won at Warwick 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in May beating Red Hanrahan (11-4) by 3/4l, 6 ran.
Gentleman Jon 8-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, lost place halfway, headway before 4 out, went 3rd from 3 out, one pace, 3rd of 8, 24 1/4l behind Southfield Vic (11-12) at Newton Abbot 3m 2f hcp (3) gd in May.
Red Hanrahan (IRE) 7-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, headway before 2 out, soon challenged led before last, kept on and headed near finish, 2nd of 6, 3/4l behind Midnight Cowboy (11-8) at Warwick 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in May.
Ballybolley (IRE) 10-3fav (11-2) Mid-division, slightly hampered 3rd, headway 9th, disputing close 3rd when fell 3 out, at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (2) gd in May.
