broke well to lead, pushed along 1 1/2f out, 2 lengths clear and ridden 1f out, reduced advantage closing stages, kept on best
held up 3rd, ridden 1 1/2f out, progress to 2nd inside final 150 yards, kept on well, not quite reach winner
Mick Halford sent out the odds-on winner of this 12 months ago and his VITELLO will probably be a short price this year. It's a slight worry that she's making her seasonal reappearance but her fourth in a Listed race at Fairyhouse in September was a more than decent effort and she's getting 5lb and 4lb respectively from course and distance winners Al Mohalhal and Cool Thunder. The former is the pick of that pair on his latest second in a Group 3 at Leopardstown but is thoroughly exposed. Flowerhill Nova has a mountain to climb at the weights.
Al Mohalhal (IRE) 12-1 (9-0) Led, ridden and strongly pressed under 2f out, headed 1f out, kept on same pace in 2nd final furlong, 2nd of 6, 2 3/4l behind Dick Whittington (9-9) at Leopardstown 7f Grp 3 stks (1) sft in Jun.
Cool Thunder (IRE) Evensfav (9-0) Chased leaders in 3rd, close 3rd entering straight, pushed along in 2nd 2f out, close 2nd and ridden 1 1/2f out, no impression on winner under 1f out, kept on same pace, 2nd of 4, 2 1/4l behind Raymonda (9-0) at Fairyhouse 7f fll gf in Jun.
Vitello 9-2 (8-12) Led, headed under 2f out, ridden and no impression in 2nd 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 4th of 9, 2 1/4l behind Bebhinn (8-12) at Fairyhouse 6f lst stks (1) Good - Yielding in Sep.
Flowerhill Nova (IRE) 11-8fav (9-5) Tracked leader before improving to lead after 2f, ridden and pressed over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra and kept on same pace, 2nd of 9, 1 3/4l behind Time To Reason (9-5) at Fairyhouse 7f mdn Yielding in Jun.
