led, set steady pace, shaken up after 3 out, ridden and headed between last 2, kept on same pace, no chance with winner from last
always prominent, driven and effort after 3 out, led between last 2, 3 lengths advantage when not fluent last, forged clear flat, comfortably
held up behind, headway before 4 out, never reached leaders, ridden and outpaced from next
raced keenly, held up behind, headway 3 out, chased clear leaders next, went 3rd before last, kept on, no impression
held up in touch, dropped towards rear 4th, struggling after 4 out, weakened next, tailed off
held up in touch, pushed along before 4 out, soon lost place, tailed off before next
raced keenly, prominent, driven and lost place 3 out, soon weakened
raced keenly, held up in touch, tracked leaders 4 out, one pace before 2 out, never on terms
Up The Drive was second in a maiden point in May but still beaten 20 lengths. His long-term future will likely be over fences so this should chiefly concern previous winners Gortroe Joe, a stablemate of the aforementioned, and MINELLA WARRIOR. Neither has run since winning at Warwick in May but the latter may have the greater scope for improvement and it’s worth noting that he was only beaten a couple of lengths by the top-class Kalashnikov in a bumper at Wetherby last year. Ballyblake is a half-brother to Grand National winner One For Arthur but has been pulled up in a couple of point-to-points.
Gortroe Joe (IRE) 5-4fav (11-0) Jumped right, made all, about 3 lengths clear last, ridden out, won at Warwick 2m 3f (4) gd in May beating Lungarno Palace (11-6) by 1/2l, 12 ran.
Minella Warrior (IRE) 2-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, 3rd 4 out, every chance 2 out, led before last, ran on well, won at Warwick 2m 3f (4) gd in May beating Clondaw Anchor (10-12) by 3 1/2l, 7 ran.
Cybalko (FR) 33-1 (10-12) Raced keenly, held up in rear, headway into mid-division 3 out, kept ton same pace, never threatened leaders, 5th of 11, 18 3/4l behind Carntop (11-5) at Worcester 2m (4) gd in Aug.
Desert De Bruyere (FR) 50-1 (10-12) Held up, closed 3rd, outpaced from 4 out, weakened 2 out, 3rd of 4, 25l behind Captain Peacock (11-5) at Bangor 2m 4f (4) gd in Aug.
Orchard Lane (IRE) 25-1 (11-2) In touch, slow and lost place 2nd, struggling from 7th, behind when brought down 4 out, at Worcester 2m 7f mdn (5) gd in Sep.
Up The Drive (IRE) 10-1 (12-0) Lft 2nd 8; wknd app 2 out, 2nd of 7, 20l behind Marcle Ridge (12-0) at Chaddesley Corbett 2m 4f mdn gf in May.
Ballyblake (IRE) 6-1 (11-11) Mid-div, 10th 5out, ev ch 3out, sn wknd & pu bef last, at Loughanmore 3m mdn gs in May.
Malindi Bay (FR) 14-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, headway after 3 out, chased leaders next, driven and one pace between last 2, went modest 4th flat, no impression, 4th of 8, 12 1/4l behind Cabaret Queen (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 5f (4) gd in Oct.
Okmyway 66-1 (10-7) Held up in rear, weakened over 4f out, 8th of 9, dist behind Fortunes Hiding (11-0) at Worcester 2m (5) gd in Jun.
Tricks And Trails (IRE) 5-2 (11-11) Mid-div, 6th 1/2way, rdn into 8l 3rd 4out, eff to disp ld 2out, wo at bypassed last, jnd & hdd run-in, no ex cl hm, 2nd of 11, 1l behind Salty Boy (12-2) at Ballinaboola 3m mdn Yielding - Soft in Feb.
How Much Is Enough (IRE) 150-1 (10-5) Held up in rear, mistake 4th, soon under pressure, weakened 5 out, tailed off 3 out, 11th of 12, dist behind Henry Smith (10-12) at Bangor 2m 1f mdn (5) gd in Aug.
