held up, headway approaching 4f out, led 1f out, kept on gamely inside final furlong, all out
held up behind and keen, weakened over 3f out
with leader, ridden over 3f out, weakened 2f out
chased leaders, every chance inside final furlong, just held near finish
led, ridden and headed 1f out, soon weakened
held up in touch, weakened over 2f out
behind, pushed along over 5f out, never dangerous
held up towards rear, ridden over 4f out, never dangerous
held up mid-division, ridden over 2f out, kept on final furlong
It's very difficult to get away from Irish raider FINAL DAY, who is fancied to brush aside the mandatory 7lb penalty for winning a similar race at Perth last season. Rubipresent represents a yard that is capable of getting one ready for a bumper, so is worth noting in the betting, while given that Graham Lee would have had the choice to ride Ouest Eclair, it has to be interesting that he opts to partner Buraimi Oasis. The last named doesn't really leap from the page as being a stand out for an event of this type, though. Rubipresent ran well in a couple of bumpers at Southwell last spring before finishing down the field in a valuable race at Punchestown. That was 594 days ago, so his fitness has to be taken on trust. Admittedly similar comments apply to Final Day, who will be making his seasonal bow today. However, Gordon Elliot is as shred as they come when plotting his visits to the UK and, with a lack of strength in depth from the others, everything points towards a big run from Final Day in the finale.
Final Day (IRE) 2-1fav (11-4) Held up mid-division, headway over 3f out, led 2f out, driven and stayed on well final furlong, won at Perth 2m NH flat (6) gd in May beating Keoghs Bar (11-4) by 6l, 12 ran.
Backtobackjack And Beyond gelding out of Lady Elegance.
Buraimi Oasis Kirkwall gelding out of Rhiann.
Chester Lad Fraam gelding out of Our Krissie.
Five Jembs (IRE) 33-1 (11-7) Towards rear, 10th approaching straight, no impression and kept on without threatening from over 2f out, 6th of 15, 21l behind Dr Whizz (12-0) at Cork 2m N H flat gd in Oct.
Hooked On Line (IRE) 7-2 (11-2) Tracked leaders and keen, ridden over 2f out, no impression, 3rd of 11, 34l behind Benny Be Good (11-2) at Sedgefield 2m 1f NH flat (6) gd in Nov.
Ouest Eclair (FR) 50-1 (11-0) Always behind, tailed off 3f out, last of 17, well behind Solway Sam (11-2) at Aintree 2m 1f NH flat (4) gd in Oct.
Rubipresent (IRE) 25-1 (10-4) Held up, headway from 3f out, never nearer, 6th of 23, 9l behind Quiscover Fontaine (10-4) at Punchestown 2m nhf gd in Apr '08.
Stormion (IRE) Flemensfirth gelding out of El Moss.
Dusk To Dawn Prince Daniel filly out of Split The Wind.
Glaced Over 25-1 (10-7) Held up mid-division, no impression from over 2f out, 6th of 17, 19l behind Knockaveen (10-7) at Carlisle 2m 1f N H flat (6) gd in Oct.
Moraira Magic (IRE) Shaddad filly out of Dance To The Beat.
The Only Way Yaheeb mare out of Way Home.
