led, 2 lengths clear at 6th, reduced advantage after 7th, not fluent at 8th and almost joined, headed after 2 out, no impression on winner before last, kept on one pace
raced 3rd, not fluent 3 out, travelled well and closed in 2nd before 2 out, led after 2 out, asserted before last, kept on well, easily
tracked leader in 2nd, closer after 7th, almost on terms after 8th, ridden and weakened before 2 out, no extra
ran 4th, slight mistake at 4th, not fluent at 6th and soon 5th, 6th before 7th, dropped to rear at 8th, under pressure and detached after 3 out, late headway to moderate 4th, no danger
in rear, 7th at 5th, 6th at 8th, mistake 3 out, progress to moderate 5th after 3 out, no extra before 2 out
towards rear, 5th after 4th, progress to 4th after 6th, no impression and niggled along after 3 out, weakened before 2 out
towards rear, 6th at 5th, progress to 5th before 7th, dropped to moderate 6th after 3 out, weakened, tailed off
Robin Des Foret has now won four times over hurdles but may have been a bit fortunate at Killarney last time when left clear at the last by the fall of today's rival Wonderoftheworld, who should take revenge. However, Ruby Walsh was on board the winner that day and has chosen to ride FABULOUS SAGA (NAP) this time. A winning point-to-pointer and bumper, he's won both starts over timber by 20 lengths and, though facing tougher rivals, will be very difficult to beat. Burren Life was beaten five times in bumpers before an impressive debut over timber on heavy going at Roscommon and he'll win his share of races while West Coast Time looked smart in testing ground at Gowran and is another nice prospect. The remaining pair both arrive in form but have a bit more to do.
Fabulous Saga (FR) 8-13fav (11-5) Made all, jumped right 4th and at times after, in command from 3 out, slight mistake 2 out, stayed on well, easily, won at Listowel 2m 4f hvy in Sep beating Young Turk (11-5) by 20l, 3 ran.
Robin Des Foret (IRE) 6-4fav (11-10) Led, slight mistake 1st, disputed from next, led before 3 out where mistake, ridden and pressed before last, joined and slight mistake last where left clear, kept on run-in, won at Killarney 2m 6f gd in Aug beating Miss Sapphire (11-3) by 8l, 7 ran.
Burren Life (IRE) 9-4 (11-4) Soon tracked leaders in 3rd, slight mistake 4 out, pushed along approaching straight, on terms 2 out on inner, soon led, asserted from before last, stayed on well, won at Roscommon 2m 4f mdn hvy in Sep beating Massey's Wood (11-12) by 10l, 8 ran.
Champoleon (FR) 11-4 (11-12) Tracked leader, 3rd at 6th, progress to 2nd 3 out, headway to lead after 3 out, travelled well and asserted before 2 out, not fluent at last, kept on well, comfortably, won at Listowel 3m mdn hvy in Sep beating Antimatter (11-12) by 3l, 9 ran.
West Coast Time (IRE) 15-8fav (11-12) Prominent, ran around approaching 1st, improved to lead after 4 out, pushed along and ran around approaching 2 out, soon ridden clear, stayed on well under pressure run-in, won at Gowran Park 2m mdn hvy in Sep beating Beyond The Law (11-12) by 3 1/4l, 15 ran.
Wonderoftheworld (IRE) 14-1 (11-4) Held up in rear early, 6th halfway, progress into 3rd 2 out, ridden to challenge before last, upsides and every chance when fell last, at Killarney 2m 6f gd in Aug.
The Birdie Crowe (IRE) 5-1 (10-11) Held up behind leaders in 4th, ridden in 5th after 2 out and hampered on rail, 4th last, stayed on into 2nd run-in, no impression on winner closing stages, 2nd of 7, 3l behind Contingency (10-6) at Galway 2m 5f sft in Sep.
