with leader and keen, not fluent 4 out, challenging when mistake 3 out, jumped badly left and led 2 out, went slightly left last, kept on, held on well towards finish
tracked leaders, led approaching 4th, headed approaching 3 out, ridden approaching and hampered 2 out, every chance last, not quicken towards finish
narrow leader, headed approaching 4th, pushed along and outpaced after 4 out, ridden and weakened after next
in rear, not fluent 2nd, lost place approachiong 4th, soon tailed off
tracked leaders, took closer order 4 out, led approaching 3 out, ridden and headed when hampered 2 out, not much room and switched right after last, soon weakened
ISLAND OSCAR is our preference to Penyfan Dawn and Society Venue. The Irish raider has previously been thought of as a soft ground performer but he seemed to cope more than adequately with a faster surface at Leopardstown last month and Tony McCoy has been booked. Penyfan Dawn finally got his head infront at Stratford. The yard had quite a few entries at the five day stage so it is to be hoped that this son of Bach has improved for getting his head infront. Society Venue does not have to carry a penalty and hails from a yard that have done well with their runners of late. Stormyisland Ahead has to be something of an imponderable on the surface as he is a son of known mudlark, Turtle Island. Supernoverre's last race over hurdles saw him take on a hopeless task against Champion Hurdle candidates so this is a much more realistic option. Island Oscar is the pick.
Island Oscar (IRE) 16-1 (11-4) Keen hold, always prominent, challenged and led before 2 out, stayed on well under pressure from last, won at Killarney 2m 1f mdn hdl gd in May beating Far Away So Close (11-4) by 1 1/4l, 15 ran.
Penyfan Dawn (IRE) 9-1 (11-12) Held up in rear, took keen hold, mistakes, reminders after 5th, headway approaching normal 2 out, led just before omitted last, driven out, won at Stratford 2m 3f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gf in Jul beating Cool Bob (10-5) by 3l, 12 ran.
Stormyisland Ahead 8-11fav (11-2) Jumped moderately, chased winner throughout, hit 4 out, driven before 2 out, no impression soon after 2 out, hit last, 2nd of 8, 5l behind Totoman (10-12) at Bangor 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Jul.
One Of A Kind (FR) 14-1 (11-4) Always towards rear, tailed off when pulled up after 4 out, in a race won by Millrock Lady (10-13) at Kilbeggan 2m 6f mdn hdl gd in Jul, 16 ran.
Supernoverre (IRE) 33-1 (10-7) Held up in touch, hard ridden and chased leaders approaching 2 out, not pace to challenge, 3rd of 6, 19l behind Punjabi (11-10) at Kempton 2m hdl (2) sft in Feb.
Society Venue 3-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, soon in touch, chased winner approaching 2 out, kept on, 2nd of 9, 2 3/4l behind Sir Frank (11-12) at Market Rasen 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gd.
