held up in touch, mistake and lost place 3rd, ridden after 5th, not fluent 3 out, no impression, soon beaten
held up in rear, headway on inside after 2 out, challenged last, held towards finish
took keen hold, jumped right, led, mistake 2 out, headed last, one pace
tracked leaders, outpaced after 2 out, stayed on flat, no impression
in touch in mid-division, closed 3 out, no extra flat
tracked leader until not fluent 2 out, soon ridden, beaten last, one pace
held up, not fluent 2nd, headway after 5th, went 2nd 2 out, led last, ridden and edged left flat, ran on well
in touch, lost place approaching 3 out, stayed on before last, no impression on leaders
Nonrunner
Priors Gold won at Kilbeggan and Perth early in the summer but has proved difficult to place since. Baccalaureate caused an upset in a juvenile Grade 2 here in January last year but is little better than a plater nowadays while Saute has gone up 8lb since failing in his hat-trick bid at Market Rasen in August. Alazan is fit from the Flat and warrants respect but let's take a chance on the fitness of ROCK OF DEAUVILLE. He's still a maiden over hurdles but has only had five outings and looks nicely treated on his sixth in the Fred Winter at The Festival where he would have finished closer had he not made mistakes at the last two obstacles.
Darceys Dancer (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) Chased leader early, moderate 7th halfway, no extra after 5 out, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Bellvano (11-5) at Punchestown 2m 2f nov chs in May, 9 ran.
Priors Gold 3-1 (11-8) Raced in 3rd, 2nd from before 3 out, challenged and gained narrow lead when slight mistake 2 out, headed and kept on same pace from after last, 3rd of 6, 1 3/4l behind Bachelor Affair (11-8) at Gowran Park 2m hcp hdl 8Evens23 sft.
Alazan (IRE) 5-2fav (11-12) Took keen hold, led, hit 2nd, headed approaching 5th, led again next, ridden and headed going to 2 out, weakened before last, 7th of 8, 38l behind Tatispout (10-11) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in Apr.
Baccalaureate (FR) 6-5fav (11-12) In touch blundered 3rd, led before 3 out, stayed on strongly, eased towards finish, won at Ludlow 2m sll hdl (5) gf beating Fool's Wildcat (11-12) by 9l, 6 ran.
Rock Of Deauville (IRE) 7-2 (10-3) Held up in touch, headway to 3rd 4 out, travelling strongly and upsides when fell 2 out, in a race won by Ultravox (10-5) at Ascot 2m 4yo hcp hdl (2) gd in Apr, 8 ran.
Alcalde 6-1 (10-11) Held up in rear, not fluent 1st, headway approaching 8th, ridden and hung left after 2 out, weakened flat, 4th of 11, 14l behind Premier Grand Cru (11-7) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in May.
Star Of Aragon (IRE) 14-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, pushed along when fell 3 out, in a race won by Clonsilla Fath (11-0) at Fairyhouse 2m hcp hdl 80-116 gd in Sep, 16 ran.
Astrolibra 16-1 (10-11) Tracked leaders, ridden and outpaced 4 out, plugged on to go remote 4th close home, 4th of 8, 34l behind Carribs Leap (10-12) at Fakenham 2m 4f nh nov hdl (3) gd in Oct '10.
Saute 11-10fav (11-7) Held up in rear, headway 4 out, soon chasing leaders, effort when left in 2nd 2 out, stayed on same pace approaching last, 2nd of 7, 7l behind Houston Dynimo (11-7) at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Aug.
