disputed lead, led entering straight, soon ridden, strongly pressed over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, 3rd and no extra close home
mid-division, pushed along in 5th entering straight, ridden in 4th 2f out, soon no impression on leaders, kept on one pace
tracked leaders on inner, briefly short of room entering straight, headway into 3rd and pushed along 2f out, ridden in 2nd 1 1/2f out, led inside final furlong, stayed on well close home, strongly pressed to line
held up towards rear, progress on outer entering straight, ridden in 5th 2f out, went 3rd 1 1/2f out, improved into 2nd close home, stayed on well to strongly pressed winner to line
slowly into stride, in rear, 7th and pushed along entering straight, ridden in 6th 2f out, no impression on leaders final furlong
tracked leaders on outer, pushed along 4f out, soon ridden and weakened
disputed lead, ridden and headed entering straight, weakened
tracked leaders, took keen hold, went 2nd entering straight, ridden in 2nd 2f out, dropped to 4th 1 1/2f out, no impression final furlong
Suprise Package won the Imperial Cup at Sandown last year and is rated 145 over hurdles. He's probably warming up for Galway but Derek O'Connor is a very positive booking. Tax For Max is rated 9lb lower over timber and last month's victory came over fences though he does have a fitness advantage and his Flat rating is well above that of these rivals. JESSE EVANS was an excellent third in a premier handicap here in September before landing a Grade 3 hurdle. He didn't get the run of the race on his reappearance and can make amends. Gatsby Grey is a winning bumper and smart hurdler while Almuhit has run very well in two tough handicaps at the Curragh recently.
Magellan Strait (IRE) 28-1 (10-0) Always towards rear, never a factor, pushed along and no impression approaching straight, soon ridden and no extra from 2f out, 15th of 16, 22 1/4l behind Dartan (9-2) at Curragh 2m hcp gd in Jul.
Female Soldier (IRE) 7-1 (10-2) Tracked leaders, pulled hard, headway into 2nd after 4f, led 5f out, ridden and headed 2 1/2f out, weakened, 7th of 8, 6 1/2l behind Vera Verto (9-5) at Ballinrobe 1m 5f hcp fll gd in Jun.
Jesse Evans (IRE) 7-5 (11-0) Mid-division and 6th halfway, took closer order from 5f out, pushed along on inner over 1f out and soon ridden in 2nd, no impression on winner and kept on same pace close home, 2nd of 8, 3 1/2l behind Party Central (11-0) at Bellewstown 1m 4f Yielding in Jul.
Tax For Max (GER) 1-5fav (11-12) Mid-division, headway to lead before 6th, slight mistake 2 out, driven out run-in, won at Wexford 2m Good - Yielding in Jun beating Walnut Beach (11-12) by 4 1/2l, 6 ran.
Gatsby Grey (FR) 14-1 (11-9) Mid-division, ridden into 7th entering straight, no extra before last, kept on one pace, 11th of 25, 20 1/4l behind Kilbeg King (10-10) at Punchestown 3m hcp Good - Yielding in Apr.
Goodbye Someday (IRE) 80-1 (11-7) Always rear, pushed along halfway and detached 5f out, no extra, tailed off, last of 17, dist behind Enniskerry (11-7) at Leopardstown 1m 7f mdn gd in Jun.
Patrick Joseph 250-1 (11-0) Slightly slow into stride and raced in rear, pushed along from 2f out and briefly went 6th, no extra from over 1f out, 7th of 8, 16 1/4l behind Party Central (11-0) at Bellewstown 1m 4f Yielding in Jul.
Suprise Package 12-1 (11-4) Never jumped with fluency, towards rear, mistake 4th, tried to close before 3 out, no impression, well beaten 2 out, 6th of 9, 32 1/4l behind Jonbon (11-4) at Aintree 2m (1) gs in Apr.
Almuhit (IRE) 11-1 (9-12) Led early, tracked leader and 2nd halfway, pushed along 2f out and ridden over 1f out, no impression final 100 yards, kept on one pace, 3rd of 16, 1 1/4l behind Dartan (9-2) at Curragh 2m hcp gd in Jul.
