held up in touch in rear, 5th 4 out, ridden and progress into 3rd 2 out, kept on without threatening winner to go 2nd after last
tracked leader in 2nd, ridden from 3 out, dropped to 4th next, went 3rd again after last, no extra
veered left at start and caused first false start, veered left again and refused to race
tracked leaders, 2nd briefly 4 out, ridden and weakened from next
tracked leaders, 4th when slight mistake 4 out, ridden on outer before next, no impression
in rear, bad mistake 1st, pushed along 5 out, ridden 3 out, improved into 2nd before 2 out, soon no impression on winner, not fluent at last and dropped to 4th run-in, no extra
made all, went clear from 3 out, pushed along next, stayed on well from last, easily
tracked leaders, slight mistake 4th, bad mistake 5 out, soon behind, trailing from next
Pires won this in 2012 and remains a versatile performer capable of a big run though he's much better handicapped over hurdles. Formal Bid has only had two runs over fences, the latest when beating Shershewill at Downpatrick, and may lack the experience for this and though Obispo arrives in top form having completed a double with a very easy victory at Tipperary he's been raised 12lb as a consequence. SIZING SOLUTION, unbeaten in two point-to-points, hasn't fulfilled his potential under Rules but he's best over today's trip on good ground and with Johnny Burke's claim taken into account he looks on a winnable mark.
Pires 7-1fav (10-6) Rear of mid-division, 11th halfway, no impression approaching 2 out, 12th of 16, 24l behind Portrade (10-0) at Listowel 2m hcp hdl gd in Sep.
He's Our Man (IRE) 15-2 (11-5) Tracked leaders, bad mistake 2nd, ridden to challenge straight, soon no impression, 4th and no extra from before last, one pace, 4th of 8, 7l behind Mitebeall Forluck (10-0) at Wexford 2m 3f hcp chs gd.
Howwoulduno (IRE) 16-1 (11-7) With leader, led 4th, headed narrowly 2 out, ridden and one pace after last, no impression in 4th flat, 4th of 6, 6l behind Court Minstrel (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m nov chs (2) gd.
Formal Bid (IRE) Evensfav (11-12) Held up in touch, chased leaders 5 out, led approaching 2 out, driven clear, ran on well, won at Downpatrick 2m 2f beg chs beating Shershewill (11-2) by 1 3/4l, 7 ran.
Formidableopponent (IRE) 8-1 (10-1) Close up, 3rd after 3rd, led from 6 out, headed soon after 2 out and dropped to 4th at last, one pace run-in, 4th of 11, 12l behind Gentleman Duke (9-10) at Cork 2m hcap ch.
Obispo (IRE) 10-3fav (11-7) Settled behind leaders, 5th halfway, improved to lead 3 out, ridden clear before last where slight mistake, easily, won at Tipperary 2m 1f hcp chs 0-109 gd beating Close Review (11-6) by 9l, 11 ran.
Sizing Solution (IRE) 4-1 (11-7) Raced 2nd early, led after 3rd, clear from 6th, reduced advantage 3 out, ridden before next, strongly pressed at last, headed inside final furlong, kept on same pace, 2nd of 5, 4l behind Un Beau Matin (11-9) at Punchestown 2m 4f beg chs gf.
London Bridge 16-1 (11-12) Held up in rear, headway after 3 out, left in 4th at 2 out, stayed on to go 3rd after last, never a threat, 4th of 6, 17l behind Kashline (11-12) at Downpatrick 2m 7f beg chs.
