led, jumped slightly right, mistake 4 out, mistake next and soon headed, weakened approaching last
mid-division, headway 6th, went 2nd after 4 out, led soon after next, clear 2 out, very easily
held up towards rear, fell 8th
tracked leaders, not fluent 3rd, went 2nd approaching 5th, not fluent 6th, outpaced after 3 out, went 2nd after 2 out, no chance with winner, hit last
held up in rear, headway 8th, ridden after next, outpaced when not fluent 4 out, stayed on approaching last, soon went 3rd, no impression
tracked leader until approaching 5th, lost place next, tailed off
held up in rear, not fluent 1st or 4th, hampered 8th, soon behind, tailed off
in touch, went 3rd 5th, not fluent and went 2nd 9th until 4 out, hit 3 out, mistake 2 out and soon weakened
in touch, not fluent 7th, outpaced from 4 out, no impression after
The Irish are out in force in this opener and may well dominate. The fast ground won't bother Manger Hanagment, who won on a similar surface at Newton Abbot last month and has been cleverly placed by Gordon Elliott to land a five-timer. A P McCoy is in the saddle again in a race named in his honour. Ongenstown Lad will surely confirm Gowran running with Trabajo on slightly better terms and makes more appeal than the four-year-old Caribbean Sea but may find the mare CATCHERINSCRATCHER a tougher nut to crack. She was taking on decent opposition when fourth at Killarney last time having won easily over 3m at Tipperary in July. Paul Nicholls has won this twice in the last five years so Round Tom may be the best of the home team.
Manger Hanagment (IRE) 8-13fav (11-12) Made all, pushed along before 2 out, kept up to work and stayed on gamely flat, won at Sedgefield 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Sep beating Elsafeer (10-5) by 1 1/2l, 8 ran.
Ongenstown Lad (IRE) 11-1 (10-13) Chased leaders, improved to challenge and on terms 2 out, soon led and clear from before last, stayed on well run-in, comfortably, won at Gowran Park 3m hcp hdl gd in Sep beating Cootamundra (11-2) by 8l, 14 ran.
Trabajo (IRE) 7-2fav (10-9) Chased leaders, 4th before 3 out, no extra approaching straight, 8th of 14, 32l behind Ongenstown Lad (10-13) at Gowran Park 3m hcp hdl gd in Sep.
Round Tom (FR) 2-5fav (11-0) Made all, hit 13th, came well clear before 4 out, not fluent 2 out, canter, won at Worcester 2m 7f beg chase (4) gd in Jul beating Cengiz (10-7) by 15l, 3 ran.
Shammy Buskins 16-1 (11-12) Mid-division on outside, headway after 4th, ridden and lost place after 9th, no impression after, stayed on flat, 6th of 9, 12l behind Painted Sky (10-12) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gf.
Simply Smashing (IRE) 9-4 (11-0) Led, ridden and pressed before last, headed soon after, kept on towards finish, 2nd of 5, nk behind Eyre Square (11-5) at Hexham 3m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Sep.
Caribbean Sea 9-1 (10-7) Well off pace towards rear, fell 5 out, in a race won by Venture Lazarus (11-5) at Galway 2m 1f beg chs gd in Jul, 12 ran.
Catcherinscratcher (IRE) 7-4fav (11-2) Attempted to make all, strongly pressed straight, headed before 2 out, soon no impression and kept on same pace, 4th of 6, 5l behind Bullock Harbour (11-4) at Killarney 2m 6f nh nov hdl gs in Aug.
Saint Peray (FR) 17-2 (11-5) Tracked winner, ridden and every chance 2 out, kept on one pace flat, 3rd of 7, 2l behind Fresher Fishing (11-1) at Exeter 2m 5f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gf.
