held up in last trio, not fluent 4th, headway going well before 3 out, driven after 2 out, soon weakened
chased leading trio, mistake 5th, headway on outside before 3 out, challenged 2 out, took narrow lead between last 2, ridden and headed approaching and mistake last, no chance with winner and lost 2nd close home
held up in last trio, in rear when hit 5th, soon lost touch, tailed off 4 out, pulled up soon after
held up in last trio, steady headway and hit 3 out, hit 2 out, closed on leaders between last 2, led approaching last, stayed on strongly flat, driven out
held up in 5th, blundered 3rd, weakened after 2 out, tailed off
chased leading pair, went 2nd after 3 out, challenged and stumbled 2 out, took narrow lead briefly between last 2, dropped to 3rd soon after, rallied to 2nd again close home, no chance with winner
chased leader, blundered 4th, lost 2nd after 3 out, one pace and no impression soon after
led, hit 2nd and 5th, joined 2 out, ridden and headed between last 2, weakened soon after
A race that has fallen to some smart sorts in recent years and this field of nine have plenty to live up to; though whether they can reach the same heights as Diamond Harry, Tell Massini and Black Jack Ketchum remains to be seen. Arguably, the most interesting is Mount Helicon who struggled to live up the hype for Alan King and didn't always look the most resolute but he's progressing well for new connections and had a touch of class on the level. Champion Court and Sybarite bring some strong bumper form to the table and are respected but their lack of experience is clearly a disadvantage in taking on the likes of Supercede and Final Day. DRUMFIRE's Limerick second received a boost when the winner dotted up in a Mares' Grade 3 next time and this smart ex-Flat horse appeals as the one to beat having gone close behind Universal Truth on his hurdling bow; his one slightly disappointing run did come on soft ground though so do keep an eye on conditions as any rain would be a negative.
Final Day (IRE) 11-8fav (11-6) Held up in 5th, headway 3 out, challenged last, led flat, stayed on, won at Cheltenham 2m 5f nh nov hdl (2) gd in Oct beating Queiros Bleu (11-6) by 1/2l, 6 ran.
Mount Helicon 9-10fav (11-0) Tracked leaders in 3rd, improved to challenge when bumped 3 out, ridden to lead before next, kept on well from last, won at Cork 3m nov hdl Grd 3 (1) hvy in Oct beating Original Option (11-0) by 1 3/4l, 5 ran.
One Cool Tornado (IRE) 7-1 (11-8) Tracked leaders, 4th 4 out, ridden and weakened from next, 8th of 11, 46l behind Oilily (10-10) at Tipperary 2m nov hdl Grd 3 (1) in Oct.
Champion Court (IRE) 7-2 (11-7) Held up in rear, headway 6f out, chased leaders 4f out, chased winner 2f out, strong challenge inside final furlong, soon every chance, just held towards finish, 2nd of 11, hd behind Bear's Affair (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m NH flat (6) gd in Oct.
Drumfire (IRE) 9-2 (11-2) Settled behind leaders early, headway into 2nd halfway, improved to lead approaching 2 out, soon challenged and ridden, headed after last, no extra and kept on same pace, 2nd of 10, 2 1/2l behind Macville (11-4) at Limerick 2m 5f lst nov hdl (4yo+) (1) gd in Oct.
Sybarite (FR) 2-1fav (11-7) Took keen hold, tracked leader, challenged 4f out, led over 2f out, kept narrow advantage until hung left over 1f out, headed entering final furlong, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 8, 10l behind Lets Get Serious (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m NH flat (4) gd in Oct.
Total Submission 14-1 (11-3) Tracked leader, ridden 3 out, lost place next, soon weakened, 5th of 6, 29l behind Final Day (11-6) at Cheltenham 2m 5f nh nov hdl (2) gd in Oct.
Yabora (FR) 4-1 (10-12) Prominent, took keen hold, not fluent 7th, led approaching 3 out, went left 2 out, soon edged left, headed last, no extra flat, 4th of 15, 7l behind Rif (10-12) at Towcester 3m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Oct.
Supercede (IRE) 9-1 (11-6) Held up in last pair, mistake 8th, smooth headway on inside before 3 out, left close 2nd 2 out, ridden to challenge last, took narrow lead flat until no extra and headed final 110 yards, 2nd of 9, 1l behind Aiteen Thirtythree (10-12) at Cheltenham 3m 1f nh nov hdl (3) gd in Oct.
