led until 2nd, tracked leader, every chance when not fluent 3 out, hampered after 2 out, weakened approaching last
held up in rear, headway on inside going strongly after 5th, close 3rd when not clear run after 2 out, challenged last, soon led, quickened away final 150 yards
held up towards rear, not fluent 2nd, headway after 4th, ridden approaching 2 out, stayed on same pace from 2 out
tracked leaders, took keen hold, lost place 5th, soon hampered and weakened, tailed off
mid-division, headway after 4th, weakened approaching 2 out, tailed off
mid-division, some headway when mistake 3 out, soon beaten
held up in rear, behind when jumped right 4th, pulled up after
tracked leaders, not always fluent, weakened approaching last
tracked leader, took keen hold, led 2nd, not fluent 5th, headed when mistake last, weakened flat
mid-division, headway when hampered 4th, challenging when not fluent 2 out, led when hit last, soon edged right and headed, not pace of winner
held up towards rear, not fluent 3rd, pushed along 5th, headway under pressure after 2 out, went 3rd flat, stayed on
mid-division on outside, outpaced after 5th, soon well beaten
John Ferguson's stable has yet to strike form but big things are expected this season from the strapping POPULATION. He won his first two bumpers and was sixth in a Grade 2 at Aintree in April when he's probably had enough for the season. He can reverse that form with fourth Court Minstrel over timber. Falcarragh, Rysbrack, The Romford Pele and Van Diemens Land are other bumper winners in the line-up while it's too soon to write off Titan De Sarti and Birzali has already shown promise over hurdles, though has had eight tries at losing his maiden tag. Jimjim Mac Cool also warrants a second look while Landscape won on the Flat in France, though it's a year since he was last on a racecourse.
Birzali (FR) 25-1 (11-7) Prominent, led 5 out, clear next, strongly pressed 3 out, ridden and headed 2 out, no impression from last, 4th of 20, 11l behind Digeanta (11-12) at Gowran Park 2m 4f mdn hdl gd.
Court Minstrel (IRE) 33-1 (11-4) Held up in rear, headway over 3f out, went 4th over 1f out, hung left and well held by front 3 inside final frulong, 4th of 19, 10l behind The New One (10-12) at Aintree 2m 1f nat hunt flat Grade 2 (1) gd in Apr.
Falcarragh (IRE) 7-2 (11-12) Soon chased leaders, moderate 2nd from 4 out, a bit closer 2 out, soon no impression under pressure, kept on same pace, 2nd of 13, 9l behind Swampfire (11-7) at Kilbeggan 2m mdn hdl sft in Aug.
Good Boy Jackson 7-2 (10-12) Tracked leaders, took keen hold, not fluent 1st, went 2nd last, no impression on winner, 2nd of 7, 4l behind One Term (11-12) at Stratford 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Sep.
Jimjim Mac Cool (IRE) 9-10fav (11-4) Led early, tracked leaders from 2nd, ridden from 2 out, soon every chance, got on terms run-in, no extra and headed near finish, 2nd of 15, hd behind Usa (11-4) at Ballinrobe 2m mdn hdl gf in May.
Landscape (FR) 9-2 (9-4) 4th of 7 Mourasana (9-1) at Longchamp(FR) 1m 4f 3yo stk gd in Oct '11 (flat).
Population 7-4fav (11-4) Mid-division, forced wide over 4f out, headway 3f out, ridden 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 19, 19l behind The New One (10-12) at Aintree 2m 1f nat hunt flat Grade 2 (1) gd in Apr.
Rysbrack (USA) 2-1fav (11-2) Mid-division, headway 8f out, led and edged left over 1f out, headed entering final furlong, led again 100 yards out, stayed on well, won at Worcester 2m NH flat (6) gd in Jun '11 beating Barton Stacey (11-4) by 3/4l, 12 ran.
Softsong (FR) (10-7) 10th of 13, 35l behind Menelas Ar Len (10-3) at Auteuil(FR) 2m 2f hdl sft in Sep '11.
The Romford Pele (IRE) 4-7fav (10-12) Led, headed after 1st, tracked leader, led again 4th, headed before 2 out, kept on held towards finish, 2nd of 10, 1 3/4l behind Porgy (11-5) at Market Rasen 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Sep.
Titan De Sarti (FR) 13-2 (10-6) Soon led, headed after 1st, led again 3rd until 5th, weakened 2 out, 8th of 11, well behind Rock On Ruby (11-10) at Newbury 2m Listed hcap hdle (1) gs in Nov.
Van Diemens Land (USA) 8-15fav (11-12) Raced in 2nd, not fluent jumping, dropped to 3rd and no extra from 2 out, 3rd of 4, 20l behind Faranadooney (11-12) at Listowel 2m 5yo mdn hdl gf in Jun.
