took keen hold, tracked leader until 5th and again from 8th, led 3 out, clear when mistake 2 out, ridden out
tracked leaders, pushed along after 5th, not fluent 7th or 8th, soon behind
tracked leaders, went 2nd 5th until 8th, ridden when not fluent 3 out, weakened before next
in rear, headway after 3 out, went 3rd when pecked 2 out, stayed on same pace, no impression on winner
in rear and often went right, behind 9th, tailed off 4 out, pulled up after
led until 3 out, no impression on winner next, stayed on same pace
held up, went 4th when not fluent 9th, not fluent 4 out, outpaced and no impression from next
NO NO CARDINAL will likely be a hot favourite in this having won with a fair bit in hand over track and trip late last month. Tommy Phelan's mount is 9lb higher but the opposition doesn't look up to much. Lord Lir is a long-standing maiden who has been racing over further and the returning El Toreros often ruins his chance by pulling too hard. Red Skipper hasn't run over fences since 2011 and is already a 10-year-old, as is Going Nowhere Fast who makes his fencing bow.
Red Skipper (IRE) 33-1 (10-5) Held up in touch on inside, mistake 2nd (usual 4th), outpaced in modest 4th 4f out, no chance with leaders, tailed off, 4th of 7, 29l behind Zarzal (11-2) at Ffos Las 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in May.
El Toreros (USA) 5-1 (11-12) Mistake 1st, soon behind, slow 7th, hampered 9th, headway 3 out, never on terms, 5th of 9, 20l behind Captain Knock (10-11) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp 0-100 (5) fm in Oct.
No No Cardinal (IRE) 9-1 (10-0) Tracked leaders, led before 3 out, clear before last, won at Newton Abbot 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in May beating The Bay Bandit (11-9) by 3 1/2l, 11 ran.
Mad Money (IRE) 8-1 (12-2) Rr of mid-div, 11th 1/2way, ko onepcd bhnd from 2out, nev on terms, 8th of 18, 27l behind Grey Brief (12-2) at Belharbour 3m ire ptp gd in Feb.
Paper Lady (IRE) 50-1 (10-3) Towards rear, headway before 6th, struggling in rear 8th, tailed off, 8th of 13, well behind Free Of Charge (11-7) at Exeter 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Mar.
Lord Lir (IRE) 9-4fav (10-12) Chased leader and clear of rest, challenged and every chance 3 out, lost 2nd and not much room next, soon beaten, 5th of 7, 24l behind Houseparty (9-11) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp chs 0-100 (5) gd in May.
Going Nowhere Fast (IRE) 8-1 (9-13) Held up towards rear and keen, headway before 2 out, kept on same pace to take 3rd from last, 3rd of 7, 10l behind Polstar (11-3) at Ffos Las 2m hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gd.
