prominent and disputed, headed after 3 out, ridden in 5th 2 out, soon no extra
chased leaders, slight mistake 4th, 4th halfway, travelled well in 3rd 2 out, ridden to press leader before last, under pressure in 2nd entering straight, held in 3rd closing stages, kept on same pace
held up early, 6th halfway, ridden and weakened before 2 out where slight mistake, tailed off
always towards rear, ridden and no impression 2 out
settled mid-division early, closer in 5th halfway, ridden in 4th after 2 out, stayed on to challenge last, under pressure in 3rd entering straight, kept on well closing stages to press leader, just denied at line
mid-division early, dropped towards rear before 4th, trailing when veered badly left after 4 out, soon pulled up
towards rear for most, slight mistake 4 out, ridden in moderate 7th 2 out, no impression
led and disputed, slight mistake 4th, headed 2 out, ridden in 4th before last, no extra and kept on one pace
held up, 7th halfway, moderate 6th before 2 out, ridden and no impression 2 out, kept on one pace
chased leaders, 3rd halfway, improved to dispute before 2 out, led 2 out, ridden and strongly pressed before last, kept on well under pressure run-in, all out close home, just held on
Blick Des Obeaux has only run once, in France four years ago, when he scored on the Flat. His stable also run LICKLIGHTER, who looked like winning when tackling 2m4f at Roscommon only to fade close home and can go one better over this trip. Winning bumper Kolumbus looked a certain future winner when runner-up to Bacardys over hurdles in 2016 but was beaten at short prices on his next five starts. He didn't show much on his recent return on the Flat but can't be written off just yet. Zaofu has done well since transferring to Eoin Doyle and only just failed to get to Storm Rising at Limerick while Cesar Du Gouet made a bold bid to lead all at Cork and only succumbed in the later stages.
Blick Des Obeaux (FR) 16-1 (9-9) won at Le Lion D'angers 1m 3f stks gs in Jul beating Batouna (9-10) by nk, 9 ran.
Kolumbus (IRE) 7-2 (11-7) Chased leader in 2nd, pushed along and lost place from 3f out, no impression in 5th under 2f out and soon eased, 5th of 7, 16 1/4l behind Slippery Serpent (11-7) at Leopardstown 1m 7f mdn gf in Jul.
Licklighter (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Mid-division, 4th halfway, went 2nd approaching straight, challenged when slight mistake 2 out, soon led and pushed along approaching last, ridden and headed run-in, no impression on winner, 2nd of 16, 1 3/4l behind Gaillimh Abu (11-4) at Roscommon 2m 4f mdn gd in Jul.
Pink Ribbon (IRE) 33-1 (11-12) Towards rear and 11th from halfway, not fluent 3 out, no impression from 2 out and kept on passed beaten horses, 7th of 14, 17 1/4l behind Dreamtide (10-8) at Kilbeggan 2m mdn gd in Jul.
Zaofu (IRE) 6-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, 10th after 4th, mistake 4 out, 9th after 3 out, good headway on inner to 3rd 2 out, ridden into 2nd before last, challenged run-in, kept on, held, 2nd of 16, 1/2l behind Storm Rising (11-12) at Limerick 2m mdn gd in Jul.
Benefit Run (IRE) 50-1 (11-4) Always rear, slightly hampered 1st, pushed along after 5th and detached 7th, no extra, tailed off, 9th of 13, dist behind Penance (11-4) at Ballinrobe 2m 4f mdn gd in May.
Breesy Mountain (IRE) 100-1 (11-12) Always towards rear, no impression from 4 out, 16th of 24, dist behind Lac Kivu (11-3) at Punchestown 2m 4f mdn gd in May.
Cesar Du Gouet (FR) 40-1 (11-12) Led, joined and disputed from 5th, ridden before 2 out, headed before last, no extra in 3rd run-in, kept on same pace, 3rd of 19, 3 1/4l behind Howth Summit (11-12) at Cork 2m mdn gf in Jul.
Dance The Rapids (IRE) 80-1 (11-4) Always towards rear, never a factor, 8th of 14, dist behind Easy Gold (11-4) at Bellewstown 3m mdn gf in Jul.
Thecraicisninety 33-1 (11-4) Led, slight mistake 1st, headed before 2 out, soon no extra and not fluent last, 8th of 14, 22 1/2l behind Mind's Eye (11-4) at Fairyhouse 2m mdn Soft - Heavy in Nov.
Siamsa Cois Laoi (IRE) 33-1 (11-7) Held up, soon towards rear, some headway approaching straight, soon one pace, 12th of 17, 12 1/2l behind Irish Lass (11-7) at Limerick 2m mdn gd in Jul.
