tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, pushed along and no impression in 4th before 2 out, no extra early straight
ran 5th, pushed along after 3 out and no impression next, no extra when slight mistake last
always towards rear, never a factor, pushed along and no impression after 3 out, no threat from next, no extra
led, joined briefly 2 out, pushed along and headed last, ridden and kept on run-in, 3rd and no impression closing stages
tracked leader, 2nd halfway, headway to challenge when stumbled on landing 2 out, soon pushed along and not fluent last, ridden and led run-in, kept on well
tracked leaders, ran freely, 4th halfway, 3rd before 2 out, pushed along and headway on outer to lead briefly early run-in, ridden and no impression on winner final 100 yards
Gordon Elliott has two entries with Jack Kennedy on board Firm Footings, a winning bumper and hurdler who ran very well for fifth in the Martin Pipe at Cheltenham. Stablemate Deployed won a Kilbeggan maiden in September 2020 but hasn't run since falling at Listowel a couple of weeks later. Bois De Clamart alternates between hurdles and fences and, though needing further, is ideally suited by testing conditions. Byker, beaten a neck in the Fred Winter at Cheltenham, wasn't disgraced in a Haydock Grade 3 next time but Aime Desjy, a comfortable Kilbeggan maiden winner, found a Listed handicap beyond him at Listowel. HARANTZAU D'AIRY was beaten just over a length in the latter race when conceding the winner 12lb so looks the one to beat. He'd been beaten a length by Firm Footings at Navan in February but has a race-fitness advantage.
Bois De Clamart (FR) 40-1 (11-3) Rear of mid-division, pushed along and reminders early, ridden and no impression after 2 out, no extra in 9th when fell last, at Cork 2m 3f hcp Yielding in Apr.
Deployed (IRE) 12-1 (11-7) Tracked leader, bumped at 3rd, not fluent in 2nd at 5th, dropped to 5th 3 out, soon weakened quickly and detached, eased before 2 out, fell at last, at Listowel 2m 4f sft in Sep.
Byker (IRE) 7-2 (10-7) Held up in touch in mid-division, effort before 3 out, held from 2 out, kept on same pace, 5th of 17, 8 1/4l behind Black Poppy (10-5) at Haydock 2m hcp (1) gd in May.
Aime Desjy (FR) 14-1 (10-6) Mid-division, ridden and no extra before 2 out, 14th of 17, 23 1/4l behind Man O Work (10-2) at Listowel 2m hcp lst (1) Yielding - Soft in Sep.
Firm Footings (IRE) 17-2 (11-12) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, pushed along and dropped to 7th entering straight, no extra approaching last, 7th of 9, 32l behind Monbeg Park (11-12) at Punchestown 2m Yielding in Apr.
Horantzau D'airy (FR) 13-2 (10-7) Towards rear, jumped big 3rd, pushed along in rear after 3 out, mid-division 2 out, soon good headway and went 2nd at last, ridden and kept on well without reaching winner, never nearer, 2nd of 17, 1 1/2l behind Man O Work (10-2) at Listowel 2m hcp lst (1) Yielding - Soft in Sep.
