always towards rear, never a factor, no threat from 2 out
tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, pushed along 2 out and soon no impression in 5th, no extra before last, weakened
clear of mid-division, some headway 4 out, 7th and pushed along after 2 out, went 6th at last, no impression run-in and kept on one pace
tracked leaders, 5th halfway, pushed along and no impression after 2 out, soon no extra
tracked leaders, 8th on outer halfway, 6th and pushed along after 2 out, went 4th before last, no impression run-in, kept on one pace
towards rear, pushed along in rear of mid-division when not fluent 2 out, 11th approaching straight and slight mistake last, kept on one pace run-in, never a factor
always towards rear, never a factor, no extra and detached approaching 2 out, pulled up before last
tracked leaders on inner, 4th halfway, 2nd and pushed along after 2 out, 3rd and ridden run-in, no impression on winner and kept on one pace
mid-division, rear of mid-division halfway and not fluent 5 out, pushed along and towards rear after 3 out, kept on one pace run-in, never a factor
mid-division on inner, pushed along after 3 out, 8th and ridden after 2 out, no extra in straight
tracked leaders, 7th halfway, 5th after 3 out and 3rd next, soon pushed along and went 2nd at last, ridden and no impression on winner run-in, kept on one pace
always towards rear, never a factor, no extra approaching 2 out, weakened, tailed off
tracked leader, 2nd halfway, pushed along approaching 2 out and 4th entering straight, no extra run-in
towards rear, some headway on outer approaching 2 out, 12th approaching straight, kept on one pace run-in, never a factor
made all, 2 lengths clear halfway, pushed along after 2 out, ridden and kept on well run-in, extended advantage final 100 yards
Merlin Giant is taking a big step up in trip after landing a 2m maiden here in July but his stable is in cracking form. COVENTRY (NAP) was beaten a head in this a year ago and has since joined Gordon Elliott, for whom he made a fine debut at Punchestown earlier this month. He looks the one to beat though J P McManus has four engaged and not surprisingly Mark Walsh has chosen Moving Water, whom he has ridden to a hat-trick over 2m4f though a 10lb rise makes this more difficult. Desertmore House is on a hat-trick after victories at maiden and novice level and an opening mark of 122 doesn't look excessive. Wild Hunt loves the trip and soft ground so should get competitive while The Big Galloper is one to note in the market.
Champagne Platinum (IRE) 25-1 (11-6) In rear, under pressure in 13th and reminder after 7th, some progress before 2 out, no extra after 2 out, 8th of 15, dist behind Rock Road (10-0) at Ballinrobe 2m 7f hcp Good - Yielding in May.
Minella Escape (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) Mid-division on outer, fell 7th, at Punchestown 3m hcp Yielding in Apr.
Espanito Bello (FR) 20-1 (11-13) Tracked leaders, ridden in 5th before 2 out, soon no impression, 5th of 11, 12l behind Wall Of Fame (10-9) at Fairyhouse 3m hcp sft in Jan.
Damalisque (FR) 14-1 (11-7) Rear of mid-division, 9th before 7th, no impression before last, ridden and kept on one pace over 1f out, 7th of 14, 13 1/2l behind Metersandmasks (10-11) at Ballinrobe 3m 1f hcp Good - Yielding in May.
Merlin Giant (FR) 10-3 (11-12) Tracked leaders, soon 2nd, closer halfway, challenged travelling well after 2 out, led before last, ridden and stayed on well run-in, won at Galway 2m 1f mdn sft in Jul beating Hubrisko (11-12) by 4l, 17 ran.
Bold Getaway (IRE) 11-8fav (12-0) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, 3rd 2 out, ridden and no impression early straight, no extra run-in, 3rd of 6, 10 1/4l behind Captain Conby (11-4) at Punchestown 2m 4f Yielding in Jan.
Prengarde (FR) 9-2 (11-4) Mid-division, struggling towards rear 17th, pulled up before 22nd, at Cheltenham 3m 6f (2) hvy in Mar.
Coventry (IRE) 5-1 (11-10) Mid-division, pushed along briefly at 7th, 9th 3 out, ridden and went 4th next, 4th and no impression at last, went 2nd inside final furlong, stayed on well, not trouble winner, 2nd of 13, 2 1/4l behind Grozni (10-12) at Punchestown 2m 7f hcp gd in Oct.
Desertmore House (IRE) 6-1 (12-0) Tracked leaders and 5th halfway, took closer order on outer from 3 out, not fluent next, pushed along and good progress into 2nd before last, ridden to led run-in and kept on well close home, won at Downpatrick 2m 5f Good - Yielding in Sep beating He's Leading Me On (11-3) by 2l, 9 ran.
Futurum Regem (IRE) 25-1 (8-12) Held up towards rear, ridden and progress 4f out, under pressure in 10th 2f out, kept on one pace, 8th of 21, 20 1/2l behind Secret Secret (8-12) at Navan 1m 6f hcp hvy in Oct.
Moving Water (IRE) 9-2 (10-8) Rear of mid-division, headway into 3rd 3 out, went 2nd travelling well entering straight, ridden in 2nd 2 out, 2nd at last, improved to lead inside final furlong, stayed on well close home, won at Gowran Park 2m 4f hcp Yielding in Sep beating Krabat (10-7) by 1 1/2l, 12 ran.
Young Dev (IRE) 66-1 (10-11) In rear, badly hampered after 5th, slightly detached in 14th at 6th, detached 4 out, weakened after 3 out, never a factor, 13th of 15, dist behind Skippin Court (10-5) at Listowel 2m 4f hcp Good - Yielding in Sep.
Mercury Lane (IRE) 40-1 (10-6) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, pushed along and lost place before 3 out, soon no extra, weakened, 19th of 25, dist behind A Great View (10-9) at Punchestown 3m hcp Good - Yielding in Apr.
Starzov (IRE) 12-1 (11-5) Tracked leader, 2nd to clear leader at 2nd, took closer order at 5th, dropped to 4th before 3 out, weakened in 5th 2 out, 5th of 11, 11 3/4l behind Ambitious Fellow (11-10) at Listowel 2m 4f Good - Yielding in Sep.
Wild Hunt 8-1 (10-12) In rear, not fluent at 1st, 11th after 6th, progress after 7th, headway in 4th after 3 out, lost place before 2 out where not fluent, ridden into 4th before last, kept on same pace, 4th of 12, 4l behind Macgiloney (11-12) at Listowel 3m hcp gd in Sep.
Ballyadam Destiny 18-1 (10-0) Towards rear, 11th after 5th, under pressure and ridden after 3 out, no extra before 2 out, never a factor, 11th of 15, 19 1/2l behind Skippin Court (10-5) at Listowel 2m 4f hcp Good - Yielding in Sep.
The Big Galloper (IRE) 17-2 (10-3) Towards rear, headway and close up 6th, led 3 out, ridden and joined last, asserted towards finish, won at Musselburgh 3m hcp (2) gs in Feb beating Wakool (10-12) by 2 1/4l, 9 ran.
William of Wykeham (IRE) 11-1 (12-0) Always behind, slight mistake 8th, no danger 4 out, never a factor, 7th of 8, 33 1/4l behind Ilikedwayurthinkin (12-0) at Ballinrobe 2m 7f Yielding - Soft in Sep.
