mid-division, headway after 7th, mistake 10th, soon ridden, hung left and led after 2 out, stayed on well flat
in rear, ridden after 7th, headway from 3 out, inclined to edge left, not clear run and switched right after 2 out, hung left and no extra flat
prominent, lost place after 6th, rallied and brought wide approaching 3 out, edged left approaching last, stayed on same pace
held up in touch, mistake 7th, led 3 out, headed after 2 out, weakened flat
not fluent, in rear, struggling from 8th
chased leader until approaching 8th, ridden after 10th, soon dropped rear, no danger after
held up in rear, headway 7th, hung left from 3 out, every chance when mistake 2 out, weakened approaching last
raced keenly in touch, went 2nd approaching 8th, edged right and every chance after 2 out, mistake last, stayed on same pace flat
mid-division, raced keenly, not much room on inside after 10th, behind when mistake 3 out
held up, closed before 3 out, ridden after 2 out, never troubled leaders
not always fluent, led until mistake 3 out, weakened after 2 out
Inglis Drever is the best horse in the race but he's yet to win at this meeting and looks worth taking on. We're going to side with the obvious alternative in Blazing Bailey but think that Kicks For Free could go well at a bigger price. In two previous runs at this meeting Blazing Bailey has run close to the level of form that he has shown at Cheltenham. This year he finished further behind Inglis Drever at Cheltenham than he did last but he was doing all of his best work at the finish having lost his pitch at a crucial stage. Connections have decided to fit him with blinkers for the first time this afternoon and they may well help to keep him focused; if they do, he has live claims. Inglis Drever is the champion elect and needs no introduction after his historic win at Cheltenham but the fact remains that he was beaten a long way in this race last year and looks worth taking on at the prices. Chief Dan George and Flight Leader haven't shown enough this term but Gaspara and Kicks For Free are two that could show up well. The Pipe team also saddles Lough Derg who's enjoyed a remarkable season but the mare makes more appeal this afternoon. Kicks For Free tries this trip for the first time this afternoon and has a bit to find but he should stay and ran a fine race in the Coral Cup under topweight; he looks an improved performer this year and could get into the mix. For our selection though, we'll come back to Blazing Bailey.
Blazing Bailey 13-2 (11-10) Mid-division, hit 7th and 8th,stayed on after 2 out, never nearer, 4th of 17, 13l behind Inglis Drever (11-10) at Cheltenham 3m hdl Grd 1 (1) gs in Mar.
Inglis Drever 11-8fav (11-10) Held up towards rear, headway when not clear run after 9th, switched to challenge last, led flat, ran on gamely, won at Cheltenham 3m hdl Grd 1 (1) gs in Mar beating Kasbah Bliss (11-10) by 1l, 17 ran.
Lough Derg (FR) 20-1 (11-10) Led, not fluent, headed 9th, weakened approaching 3 out, 13th of 17, well behind Inglis Drever (11-10) at Cheltenham 3m hdl Grd 1 (1) gs in Mar.
Ballyfitz 18-1 (10-8) Always prominent, switched right before 3 out, led approaching 2 out, stayed on well flat, won at Cheltenham 3m lst hcp hdl (1) gs in Mar beating Miko de Beauchene (10-8) by 3l, 24 ran.
Chief Dan George (IRE) 100-1 (11-10) Held up in touch, raced keenly, not fluent 4 out, effort after 3 out, weakened after 2 out, 7th of 17, 27l behind Inglis Drever (11-10) at Cheltenham 3m hdl Grd 1 (1) gs in Mar.
Flight Leader (IRE) 100-1 (11-10) Prominent, ridden after 9th, hit 3 out, soon hung left, weakened 2 out, 8th of 17, 37l behind Inglis Drever (11-10) at Cheltenham 3m hdl Grd 1 (1) gs in Mar.
Kicks For Free (IRE) 11-1 (11-12) Held up, hampered 6th, well behind before 2 out, headway approaching last, strong challenge towards finish, just denied, 2nd of 24, shd behind Naiad du Misselot (10-13) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp hdl Grd 3 (1) gs in Mar.
Faasel (IRE) 9-1 (11-0) Niggled along from 7th, lost touch 12th and pulled up at the 14th in race won by Knowhere (11-4) at Cheltenham 3m 1f chs Grd 2 (1) gs in Jan, 8 ran.
Kawagino (IRE) 200-1 (11-10) Chased leaders until 5th, soon behind, 9th of 15, 26l behind Katchit (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m hdl Grd 1 (1) gs in Mar.
Millenium Royal (FR) 4-1 (11-0) Mid-division, headway to track leaders 3 out, ridden 2 out, faded and lost 3rd approaching last, 5th of 10, 17l behind Inglis Drever (11-8) at Cheltenham 3m hdl Grd 2 (1) gs in Jan.
Gaspara (FR) 7-1 (11-3) Led, mistake 6th, hit 2 out, soon driven, headed approaching last, mistake last, stayed on same pace flat, 4th of 13, 6l behind Whiteoak (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hdl Grd 2 (1) gs in Mar.
