chased leader, 3rd halfway, ridden in 2nd before 2 out, no impression on winner before last, kept on same pace
settled behind leaders, moderate 4th halfway, closer 4 out, pushed along in 6th entering straight, no extra 3 out, slight mistake next
chased leader, 2nd halfway, pushed along in 3rd entering straight, ridden and under pressure before 2 out where fell
made all, ridden to assert before 2 out, kept on strongly from before last, cosily
held up, ridden in 7th after 4 out, soon no extra and weakened
always rear, trailing halfway, weakened and tailed off
held up, moderate 5th halfway, closed in 4th after 4 out, ridden 3 out, left disputing 3rd 2 out, 3rd and no impression last, kept on same pace
held up, progress in 5th entering straight, ridden 3 out, left disputing 3rd 2 out, 4th and no impression last, kept on same pace
Bapaume had been racing at a high level over hurdles and fences before finding a very easy opportunity over the course and distance last month. He's having to concede lumps of weight to PETIT MOUCHOIR here and Denise Foster's grey can finally end a long losing spell dating back to October 2017. A dual Grade 1 winner the previous season, he's been in excellent form without quite managing to get there and was attempting to concede 19lb to Belfast Banter when runner-up in the County Hurdle at Cheltenham. Wonder Laish is a very smart performer on his day as he showed when conceding 7lb to Tudor City and beating him narrowly in a Grade A handicap at Fairyhouse in 2018 while David's Charm wins more than his fair share though hasn't been seen since scoring over fences last July.
Bapaume (FR) 1-7fav (11-4) Made all, asserted straight travelling smoothly, jumped slightly left last, stayed on well, very easily, won at Cork 2m Yielding in Mar beating Hammersmith (11-4) by 9l, 5 ran.
Davids Charm (IRE) 5-4fav (12-0) Tracked leaders, inclined to jump right, not much room on inner approaching straight and pushed along, soon effort, on terms and left in lead and clear last, stayed on well run-in, comfortably, won at Tipperary 2m 1f Good - Yielding in Jul beating Pass Hymn (12-0) by 6l, 14 ran.
Petit Mouchoir (FR) 22-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, went 2nd after 3 out, edged left and not able to quicken before last, rallied flat, went 2nd towards finish, stayed on, not able to trouble winner, 2nd of 25, 1 1/4l behind Belfast Banter (10-0) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp (1) gs in Mar.
Sole Pretender (IRE) 4-5fav (11-0) Tracked leader in 2nd, soon clear of remainder, came back to field from over 6f out, challenged and on terms over 2f out, headed inside final furlong, one pace, 2nd of 6, 1 3/4l behind Jaime Sommers (10-9) at Tramore 2m mdn gd in Aug.
Tudor City (IRE) 9-1 (9-12) Waited with, last approaching straight, soon one pace, 14th of 18, 24 1/2l behind Pepperoni Pete (9-2) at Navan 1m hcp hvy in Mar.
Twelve Olympians (IRE) 250-1 (12-0) Waited with, soon towards rear, never a factor, 14th of 16, dist behind Glentruan (12-0) at Cork 2m 4f mdn Yielding in Mar.
Wonder Laish 14-1 (11-2) Chased leaders in 4th, not fluent 3rd, pushed along after 3 out, ridden and no impression 2 out, disputed closer 4th before last, kept on run-in to go 3rd close home, 3rd of 5, 6l behind Saint Roi (11-2) at Tipperary 2m (1) gd in Oct.
Ena Baie (FR) 33-1 (10-9) Mid-division, slight mistake 5th, progress into 7th before 2 out, ridden and no extra entering straight, 17th of 20, dist behind Master Mcshee (11-7) at Leopardstown 2m hcp sft in Dec.
L'impertinent (FR) 16-5 (11-11) Led and ran freely early, headed before 3rd, took closer order in 2nd after 4 out, 3rd before 3 out where slight mistake, not fluent 2 out, no impression on leader, not fluent at last, kept on same pace, 3rd of 20, 14l behind Master Mcshee (12-0) at Cork 2m mdn Soft - Heavy in Dec.
Us And Them (IRE) 14-1 (11-1) Prominent, every chance after 3 out, mistake and weakened last, 11th of 19, 23 3/4l behind Sky Pirate (11-6) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (1) gs in Mar.
