held up in rear, pushed along 3 out, ridden into 4th before last, no impression leaders, kept on same pace run-in to go 3rd
chased leaders, mainly 3rd, 4th 3 out, challenged 2 out, ridden in 3rd approaching last, soon no extra and kept on same pace
led and disputed, 2nd 3 out, ridden and no extra after 2 out
settled 4th, slight mistakes 5th, 6th and 5 out, 3rd 3 out, challenged 2 out, ridden and joined leader last when slight mistake, disputed run-in, ahead on line
led and disputed, ridden and strongly pressed 2 out, joined last, disputed run-in, headed on line
This is a good race for favourites but not so good for four-year-olds with just one successful in 13 years. Discoteca has plenty going for him, however, and is likely to start a short price to continue his winning run. Gordon Elliott's charge completed a hat-trick in a very slowly run affair at Gowran and his previous victories have come on quicker going so he's not certain to be suited by this step-up in trip and testing ground. NOW THIS IS IT is taken to concede weight all round as he will have needed his latest run at Aintree, his first since a tremendous run behind Silk Hall at Galway in August. He's probably warming up for the Festival on that track but this looks a good opportunity. Deal Done is much better known as a chaser and will no doubt be heading for one of the big chases at Galway while neither Slew Charm nor Doctor Deejay win often enough.
King Vuvuzela (IRE) 16-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, 7th approaching 5 out, no extra from before 3 out, pulled up next, in a race won by Archie Meade (10-11) at Fairyhouse 3m nov hcp hdl gd in Apr, 22 ran.
Slew Charm (FR) 16-1 (10-6) Towards rear, no danger approaching straight, kept on without threatening, 7th of 15, 38l behind Whatever Jacksays (11-6) at Cork 2m 4f hcp hdl gd in May.
West Of The Border (IRE) 20-1 (11-5) Prominent, 3rd 4 out, ridden and weakened after next, pulled up before last, in a race won by Magnanimity (11-5) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f nov hdl G2 (1) hvy in Apr '10, 7 ran.
Discoteca 8-13fav (11-7) Prominent, disputed lead from 3rd, led 3 out and strongly pressed from next, ridden and kept on under pressure from before last, on top closing stages, won at Gowran Park 2m 4yo hdl hvy in Jun beating Casimir Road (11-4) by 3/4l, 6 ran.
Dibella (IRE) 22-1 (10-12) Chased leaders early, soon mid-division, weakened before 3 out, pulled up before last, in a race won by Shamiran (11-4) at Punchestown 2m 4f Conditional Handicap Hurdle (95-123) (4yo+) hvy in Apr, 25 ran.
Now This Is It (IRE) 12-1 (11-3) Held up towards rear, headway after 7th, jumped left next, weakened 2 out, 9th of 17, 33l behind Native Gallery (11-1) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp hdl (2) gd in May.
Deal Done (FR) 25-1 (10-4) Prominent, soon led and disputed, ridden and headed before 2 out, no extra and kept on one pace, 6th of 29, 31l behind Lion Na Bearnai (10-5) at Fairyhouse 3m 5f Ext hcp ch gs in Apr.
Doctor Deejay (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) Waited with, went 2nd travelling well approaching straight, ridden last, ran on well under hands and heels closing stages, just failed, 2nd of 9, hd behind Archie Meade (11-10) at Sligo 2m 4f hdl gd in May.
