raced keenly, with leader, led before 4th, headed approaching 2 out, weakened quickly, tailed off
made most until before 4th, not fluent 5th, slow and lost place next, behind from 7th, went remote 4th latter stages, tailed off
chased leaders, close 3rd 8th, outpaced before 2 out, soon weakened, tailed off
held up in touch in rear, closed 6th, 2nd 2 out, switched left before last, led flat, stayed on well, ridden out
raced keenly, tracked leaders, challenged 8th, led before 2 out, not fluent last, edged left and headed flat, no impression towards finish
soon in rear, slow 2nd and 4th, pushed along after 5th, closed 7th, not fluent 8th, 3rd and weakening before last
NonRunner
No No Maestro’s defeat of the odds-on Presentandcounting at Worcester in July has worked out well but, like the other previous hurdle winners, he carries a penalty with Rexem shouldering 8lb extra for victories at Downpatrick and Killarney. Twig has won five points and three times under Rules but SAINT PALAIS’ chase form is much stronger and Richard Bandey’s five-year-old has also shown ability over timber. Shearer ground out a victory at Worcester earlier this month and the second has franked the form while The Moon Sea's Me has won a maiden point and a maiden hurdle at Clonmel. Her stable companion Music Drive has also stood his ground but was engaged in the 2.45 here yesterday. Serious Operator beat a prolific winner at Kelso on his hurdling debut so is no forlorn hope.
Rexem (IRE) Evensfav (11-4) Made all, slight mistake 8th, travelled well and 3 lengths clear 2 out, extended lead approaching last, kept on well run-in, won at Killarney 2m 7f gd in Aug beating Toss Again (11-4) by 5l, 6 ran.
No No Maestro (IRE) 5-2 (11-2) Led, cajoled along on occasions, reminders before 3 out, ridden and strongly pressed 2 out, kept on dourly and driven out to go clear run-in, all out, won at Worcester 2m 7f (4) gd in Jul beating Presentandcounting (11-9) by 7 1/2l, 3 ran.
Serious Operator (IRE) 5-2 (11-0) Held up, closer in 4th at 2nd, went 2nd bypassing omitted 2 out, led bypassing last, stayed on well (both hurdles omitted in home straight on both circuits due to low sun, 6 hurdles jumped in total), won at Kelso 2m 5f (4) gd in Oct beating Mortlach (11-12) by 1 1/4l, 7 ran.
Shearer (IRE) 5-4fav (11-0) In rear, in touch, mistake and pecked on landing 1st, went close 3rd before 7th, tracked leader going easily home turn, waited with until shaken up and led last, ridden out and went clear run-in, comfortably, won at Worcester 2m 7f (3) gd in Oct beating Red Happy (11-6) by 7 1/2l, 4 ran.
Twig 13-8 (11-10) Edgy, raced keenly tracking leader, led 13th, narrowly headed 4 out, chased leader, led again last, ridden and idled run-in, just did enough, won at Warwick 3m hcp (3) gd in Oct beating Trixster (10-7) by 1/2l, 3 ran.
The Moon Sea's Me (IRE) 10-3 (10-11) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, ridden after 3 out, under pressure entering straight, stayed on into 2nd 2 out, pressed leader last, led run-in, kept on well close home, won at Clonmel 2m 1f mdn Good - Yielding in Sep beating The Folkes Tiara (11-4) by 1 1/4l, 12 ran.
Music Drive (FR) 2-5fav (11-12) Tracked leader, 3rd after 5th, took closer order 4 out, headway to 2nd 2 out, pushed along to lead last, driven out run-in, won at Galway 2m 3f mdn sft in Oct beating Tomas O Maille (11-12) by 2 3/4l, 9 ran.
Saint Palais (FR) 7-2jfav (11-12) Always handy, not fluent 4 out, led 2 out, clear last, comfortably, won at Uttoxeter 3m hcp (2) sft in Mar beating Gustavian (11-8) by 3 1/4l, 7 ran.
