in touch in rear until ridden with a circuit to go, soon behind, tailed off
tracked leader, blundered 14th, rallied next, joined winner 17th, led 3 out, ridden and headed 2 out, kept on one pace
led, ran out bend after winning post on final circuit
keen early, tracked leaders, left in lead bend after winning post on final circuit, joined 17th, blundered and headed 3 out, led again 2 out, ridden and ran on
keen in touch in rear, closed 15th, chased leader briefly 14th, ridden 3 out, kept on one pace
Simply Strong was raised 9lb for finishing runner-up over 2m6f here in May and has struggled since while Ballygulleen was beaten a long way at Towcester on Wednesday. SKIPPER'S LAD has been raised 6lb for a narrow victory over the C&D in August but would have won more easily but for idling on the run-in. His young rider, with the familiar name, rode a winner on the Flat on Monday and his claim may just swings in his mount's favour. Kilvergan Boy makes mistakes, as he did at Cartmel last month, and though he stays extreme distances the going may be on the fast side for him here.
Skipper's Lad (IRE) 3-1fav (10-3) Tracked leaders, took keen hold early, urged along in 5th from 12th, rallied approaching 15th, went 2nd 3 out, 4 lengths down 2 out, switched right and stayed on to lead last, idled towards finish, held on, won at Newton Abbot 3m 2f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Aug beating Iheardu (10-13) by 1/2l, 6 ran.
Kilvergan Boy (IRE) Evensfav (11-5) Made all, mistake last, all out close home to hold on, won at Cartmel 3m 2f hcp 0-100 (4) sft in Aug beating Sailor's Sovereign (10-0) by hd, 4 ran.
Ballygulleen (IRE) 4-1 (11-7) Held up, jumped slowly 1st, not fluent and reminder 7th, hit 9th, mistake next, struggling when mistake 12th, weakened 4 out, tailed off, 4th of 6, 44l behind Marked Man (11-5) at Towcester 3m hcp chs 0-95 (5) fm.
Simply Strong (IRE) 13-2 (11-3) Mid-division, headway after 9th, jumped slowly 11th, soon hung left, every chance before 2 out, weakened approaching last, 8th of 11, 25l behind Crystal Prince (11-0) at Newton Abbot 2m 5f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd in Sep.
Baroque Star (IRE) 20-1 (9-9) Tracked leaders, steady headway to join leaders and every chance when mistake and unseated rider 4 out, in a race won by Orion Star (11-3) at Fontwell 3m 2f hcp 0-100 (4) gf in Sep, 7 ran.
