led, jumped badly left 1st, headed 3rd, chased leader until before 2 out, weakened before and jumped left last
tracked leader and keen, led 3rd, blundered 2 out, headed before last, kept on same pace
tracked leaders, led before last, kept on well towards finish
in rear, weakened from 5th, soon tailed off, pulled up after 3 out
Flat winner Frederic Chopin travelled strongly for a long way on his hurdling debut but got outpaced in the closing stages. He gives the impression a step up in trip would suit but this is a stiff track and he's much preferred to Sign Manual, who has been racing over further and has to concede 7lb. DON'TDROPMEIN has joined the in-form Neil Mulholland after going close in bumpers at Wexford in Ballinrobe in the summer. He didn't quite run up to that form at Cork last time but should be getting off the mark now his attention is switched to hurdles. New stablemate Greek Islands looks modest while Question Of Faith also has some improving to do.
Sign Manual 6-1 (11-7) Mid-division, headway 3 out, no impression, 8th of 12, dist behind Crazy Jack (11-0) at Worcester 2m 4f (4) gd in Sep.
Don'tdropmein (IRE) 3-1 (12-0) Held up early, progress to chase leaders after 6f, 5th halfway, 3rd 4f out, challenged 4f out, ridden in 3rd 3f out, no impression on leaders over 2f out, 4th 1 1/2f out, kept on one pace, 4th of 12, 17 1/2l behind Brother Gold (12-0) at Cork 2m 3f Yielding in Aug.
Frederic Chopin 10-1 (10-12) Mid-division, closed 3 out, 3rd next, one pace and no impression when mistake last, weakened flat, 3rd of 9, 13 1/2l behind Where's Tiger (10-12) at Perth 2m (4) gs in Sep.
Question Of Faith 20-1 (10-8) Towards rear, headway 12f out, ridden 3f out, no impression, 5th of 12, 22 1/4l behind Boogie Life (10-8) at Carlisle 2m 1f (6) gs in May.
Greek Islands (IRE) 7-1 (9-3) Held up and behind, never on terms, 10th of 11, 10 3/4l behind Knight Of The Air (8-13) at Bath 1m hcp (6) gf in Sep.
