rear of mid-division, disputed 3rd after 6th, improved to 2nd after 9th, no impression on leader after 2 out, dropped to 3rd and kept on one pace in moderate 3rd run-in
made all, ran freely early, increased advantage after 9th, travelled well and asserted before 2 out, eased run-in, easily
raced 4th, mistake and fell at 1st
towards rear, 5th after 6th, no impression in 4th after 3 out, weakened in moderate 5th run-in
in rear, slightly hampered at 1st, 6th after 6th, not fluent at 10th, effort after 3 out, no impression on leader in moderate 4th before last, kept on same pace
tracked leader in 2nd, mistake at 9th and dropped to 3rd, no impression on leader before 2 out where switched right, kept on one pace in moderate 2nd run-in
in touch, disputed 3rd after 6th, 4th after 9th, dropped to rear 2 out where mistake and unseated rider
Emmet Mullins has a strong hand in this interesting Grade 3. A Grade 2 hurdles winner at Kempton in February and placed in the Galway Hurdle, CAPE GENTLEMAN beat Buddy Rich six lengths on his chasing bow at Punchestown and looks one to follow this winter. Stable companion Noble Yeats overcame some sticky jumping to make a successful start over fences at Galway though takes on stronger opposition here. Bleu Berry beat Buddy Rich three lengths at Listowel where he made most while winning point-to-pointer French Dynamite had some very smart form over timber and looks made for fences. Run Wild Fred ran a brilliant race to finish second in the Irish National at Fairyhouse and any further rain will play to his strengths while Diol Ker is a useful hurdler with experience over fences. Politesse could hardly have been more impressive on her chasing bow at Punchestown in May so shouldn't be ignored.
Bleu Berry (FR) 4-6fav (12-0) Disputed lead, headed after 4th, led again 8th, travelled well and asserted 2 out, pushed out and kept on well run-in, comfortably, won at Listowel 2m 1f Good - Yielding in Sep beating Buddy Rich (12-0) by 3l, 8 ran.
Cape Gentleman (IRE) 7-4 (12-0) Prominent, slight mistake 1st, disputed until led 4th, made rest, went on travelling well after 4 out, 6 lengths clear when mistake 2 out, kept on well, comfortably, won at Punchestown 2m 1f gd in Oct beating Buddy Rich (12-0) by 6l, 4 ran.
Diol Ker (FR) 66-1 (11-12) Mid-division early, slightly slow 1st and pushed along briefly and at stages after, ridden along towards rear after 4th, 10th after 5th, kept on without threatening from before straight, 6th of 14, 27l behind Klassical Dream (11-12) at Punchestown 3m (1) Yielding in Apr.
French Dynamite (FR) 12-1 (11-12) Led, headed after 1st and raced in 2nd, slight mistake 4 out, on terms before 3 out, soon led, headed approaching last, one pace, 4th of 14, 22l behind Klassical Dream (11-12) at Punchestown 3m (1) Yielding in Apr.
Noble Yeats (IRE) 11-2 (12-0) Settled behind leaders in 3rd, closer and slight mistake 7th, pecked 5 out, ridden in 4th 3 out, stayed on into 3rd entering straight, challenge inside final furlong, led narrowly close home, won at Galway 2m 2f sft in Oct beating Gabynako (12-0) by hd, 11 ran.
Run Wild Fred (IRE) 9-1 (10-11) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, headway early straight and challenged when slight mistake 2 out, soon ridden and 1 length down when slight mistake last, no impression on winner run-in, 2nd of 28, 1 1/4l behind Freewheelin Dylan (10-8) at Fairyhouse 3m 5f hcp (1) Yielding in Apr.
Politesse (IRE) 9-4fav (11-7) Made all, slight mistake 5th, not fluent 10th, mistake next, clear 3 out, jumped right 2 out, stayed on strongly run-in, eased inside final furlong, easily, won at Punchestown 2m 4f sft in May beating Premium Package (12-0) by 11l, 14 ran.
