chased leader from 1st, headway to challenge approaching 2 out, ridden after 2 out, plugged on one pace, just held second, no match for winner
prominent, chased leaders after 1st, took closer order after 3 out, ridden next, plugged on one pace, just denied second
led and went clear, reduced advantage after 3rd, went clear again before 5th, reduced advantage after 3 out, ridden and headed just after 2 out, soon no extra
midfield, dropped to rear 3 out, soon beaten
chased leaders, headway to lead just after 2 out, went clear approaching last, ridden flat, went further clear, impressive
midfield, pushed along before 2 out, never dangerous
held up in rear, pecked 1st, made no impression from 3 out
towards rear, ridden after 5th, weakened before 2 out
prominent when tried to refuse 1st, soon dropped to midfield, made good headway after 3 out, slow next, soon ridden, no extra flat
Fenna's Loss is penalised for an earlier success at Uttoxeter while Cartonne finished second yet again when upped in trip at Sedgefield last time and has undergone wind surgery since. IMPERIAL MERLIN (NAP) won a bumper back in April but John Quinn’s charge is a half-brother to the smart hurdler/chaser Secret Investor and is taken to make a winning start over the obstacles. Ballyporeen looks best of the rest.
Fenna's Loss (IRE) 11-2 (12-1) Towards rear, mistake and blundered 1st, novicey at times thereafter, beaten and eased after 3 out, 8th of 9, 35 1/2l behind Faro (11-1) at Bangor-on-Dee 2m 1f hcp (4) gd in Aug.
Ballyporeen (IRE) 13-2 (11-0) Midfield, headway to chase leaders before 3 out, pushed along after 2 out, no extra run-in, 5th of 7, 6 1/2l behind Salvino (11-0) at Kelso 2m 7f (4) gs in Nov.
Cartonne (FR) 11-10 (11-3) Led and soon clear, reduced lead before 7th, went badly right next, ridden and headed before 2 out, stayed on same pace, no chance with winner, 2nd of 5, 9 1/2l behind Not What It Seems (11-10) at Sedgefield 2m 4f (4) gd in May.
Edgar Allan Poe (IRE) 10-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders, not fluent 4th when disputing 2nd, left 10 lengths 2nd 2 out, no impression, blundered last, 2nd of 9, 27l behind Whizz Kid (11-6) at Catterick 2m mdn (4) sft in Mar.
Imperial Merlin (IRE) 3-10fav (11-1) Pressed leader, led 12f out, headed 11f out, led over 4f out, clear over 1f out, ran on well, won at Sedgefield 2m 1f (5) gd in Apr beating Tommy's Fortune (10-7) by 9l, 4 ran.
Jimvale (IRE) 15-2 (11-0) Prominent, pushed along and no progress 3f out, 6th of 11, 25 3/4l behind Ebonello (10-7) at Sedgefield 2m 1f (5) gd in Oct.
Shir I Dont Know (IRE) 22-1 (11-0) Towards rear, pushed and headway to chase leaders over 3f out, ridden over 1f out and gradually weakened, 6th of 8, 11 1/2l behind Perculator (10-7) at Carlisle 2m 1f (5) hvy in Oct.
Lastordersplease (IRE) 125-1 (10-7) Prominent, could not go pace of leader home turn and weakened quickly, tailed off, 6th of 8, dist behind Knowsley Road (11-0) at Chepstow 2m (5) gs in Mar.
Visite Officielle (FR) 100-1 (9-1) Close up, pushed along 3f out, soon weakened, last of 8, 20l behind Wise Eagle (9-6) at Pontefract 2m 2f stks (2) gs in Oct.
