prominent, close up 2nd, led before 3 out, drew clear 2 out, in command last, clipped running rail entering home straight, ridden out
led, headed before 3 out, still close up when ridden 2 out, soon one pace
midfield, ridden after 2 out, kept on one pace
towards rear, ridden after 3 out, one pace from before 2 out
restrained in rear, ridden after 3 out, well beaten before last where awkward, no extra
It took Gripper 19 attempts to win a hurdle and he is facing a very stiff task at the weights against the other two previous winners. GLADIATORIAL is a bit more exposed than Ibbenburen but has run well under penalties here and at Downpatrick since landing a maiden in Ireland and seems effective over a range of distances. Donald McCain’s five-year-old did beat a subsequent winner and Hillview at Bangor, however, and won’t go down without a fight.
Gladiatorial (IRE) 11-4 (12-0) Chased leader in 2nd, improved to lead before 3rd, pushed along from last and soon pressed, ridden and bumped slightly inside final 150 yards, headed and no extra close home, 2nd of 5, 1l behind Buddy Rich (12-0) at Downpatrick 2m 1f gd in Jul.
Gripper 33-1 (11-4) Midfield, ridden and some headway 3 out, driven to press leaders last, stayed on strongly to lead flat, won at Perth 2m mdn (4) gd in Aug beating Cirque Royal (11-4) by 2 1/4l, 13 ran.
Ibbenburen (GER) 5-4fav (10-12) Chased leader until mistake 4th, went 2nd again before 4 out, challenged 2 out, led flat, stayed on, won at Bangor-on-Dee 2m 1f (4) gs in Jul beating Fontana Ellissi (11-5) by 1/2l, 7 ran.
Hillview (IRE) 40-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, went well beaten 4th before 2 out, went 3rd towards finish, no chance with front pair, 3rd of 7, 26 1/2l behind Ibbenburen (10-12) at Bangor-on-Dee 2m 1f (4) gs in Jul.
Toutatis (USA) 66-1 (11-1) Held up in rear, not fluent 3rd, ridden after 3 out, modest headway under pressure 2 out, kept on one pace from before last, 6th of 13, 28 1/2l behind Gripper (11-4) at Perth 2m mdn (4) gd in Aug.
