pressed leader, led over 2f out, readily drew clear, very easy
close up in last place, ridden and struggling from 6f out
tracked leading pair, ridden 5f out, plugged on
led, ridden over 3f out, headed over 2f out, readily left behind by winner
BATTLE BORN has the proven form with victory in a bumper at Warwick last month. Third-placed Otago Trail has since won and a conditional negates a 7lb penalty, so Charlie Longsdon's charge looks a good bet to go in again. The remaining trio all make their debut under Rules and are difficult to assess. Buckontupence and Creative Boru won point-to-points when last seen back in May and Fearless Tunes finished runner-up between the flags in the same month.
Battle Born 6-4fav (10-12) Led 4f, led again 7f ouyt, ridden 2f out, stayed on well, won at Warwick 2m NH flat (6) sft in Jan beating King's Odyssey (10-12) by 2 1/2l, 13 ran.
Buckontupence (IRE) 7-1 (12-0) Mid div, prog to 2nd 8th, ld 5out, mstk 4out, chall 2out, ld last where faster jump, row to go clr flat, won at Inchydoney 3m ire ptp in May beating Toe To Toe (12-0) by 6l, 12 ran.
Creative Boru (IRE) 6-1 (12-0) Alw pr & ld, adv 3out, rdn & ko best from last, won at Necarne 3m ire ptp sft in May beating How Did He Do It (11-4) by 1l, 12 ran.
Fearless Tunes (IRE) 8-1 (11-4) Mid div, 6th 1/2 way, ld 3out, hdd bef last, ko same pace, 2nd of 10, 6l behind The Last Samuri (12-0) at Taylorstown 3m ire ptp sft in May.
