chased leader in 2nd, ridden and no impression entering straight, kept on one pace, mistake last
chased leaders, mainly 3rd, slight mistake 7th, pushed along 4 out, ridden in 4th and no impression when mistake 3 out, kept on one pace, dropped to last run-in
held up in last, bad mistake 3rd and dropped a few lengths behind, pushed along halfway, ridden and no impression 6 out, kept on one pace, mistakes 3 out and last, 4th run-in
settled behind leaders, mainly 4th, pushed along 4 out, ridden in 3rd and no impression 3 out, kept on one pace
made all, slight mistake 5th, asserted 3 out, pushed out briefly before last, kept on strongly, easily
A cracking race in prospect but FELIX YONGER has always looked to have the potential to go all the way to the top and the winning bumper and hurdler made a very bright start when beating subsequent winner White Star Line on his chasing bow at Punchestown in May. Road To Riches was well beaten when tackling Grade 1 events at Aintree and Punchestown over hurdles but had earlier landed a Grade 3 and has all the attributes to make a smart chaser. Golden Wonder had Darroun four lengths behind when they occupied the places behind Owega Star here last month and both have the scope for further improvement. Clar Na Mionn has been placed in two Grade 3s recently while Rogue Angel may well have made a winning start over fences but for falling at the last at Punchestown last month.
Clar Na Mionn (IRE) 11-4 (11-1) Tracked leaders, 3rd for much, improved to be almost on terms 5 out, no impression under pressure in 2nd and kept on same pace closing stages, 2nd of 5, 2 1/2l behind Shrapnel (11-1) at Galway 2m 1f nov chs (1) hvy in Oct.
Golden Wonder (IRE) 5-2 (11-12) Tracked leader, tended to jump a little to his right, closer order 7th, on terms next, led from 5 out, joined 3 out, not match winner and narrowly headed closing stages, 2nd of 4, nk behind Owega Star (11-12) at Cork 2m 4f nov chs gd in Oct.
Darroun (IRE) 11-4 (11-10) Led, clear early, reduced lead 7th, joined next, headed and bad peck 5 out, soon dropped to last, rallied from before last where 3rd when mistake, no impression and kept on run-in, 3rd of 4, 4 1/2l behind Owega Star (11-12) at Cork 2m 4f nov chs gd in Oct.
Sizing Rio (IRE) 9-10fav (11-5) Chased leaders in 3rd, left 2nd 4th, improved to lead 4 out, slightly hampered by loose horse 3 out and disputed briefly afterwards, led travelling best before straight, pushed out before last, ridden and kept on strongly run-in, won at Tipperary 2m 4f beg chase hvy in May beating Benevolent (11-12) by 6l, 9 ran.
Felix Yonger (IRE) 9-10fav (11-12) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, 2nd 5 out, improved to lead after 4 out, travelled well entering straight, ran around slightly approaching last, ridden run-in, kept on well, won at Punchestown 2m 4f beg chs in May beating White Star Line (11-9) by 1 3/4l, 15 ran.
Road To Riches (IRE) 5-1 (11-10) Led, narrowly headed 3 out, ridden and no extra after next, weakened before last, 6th of 7, 42l behind Morning Assembly (11-10) at Punchestown 3m nov hdl Grade 1 (1) sft in Apr.
Sizing Machine (IRE) 6-4fav (11-8) Soon chased leader in 2nd, led halfway, mistake and headed 5 out, ridden in close 3rd 3 out, no extra before next and kept on one pace, 5th of 10, 34l behind Spring Heeled (11-5) at Killarney 2m 4f nov chs gd in Aug.
