tracked leaders in 3rd, slipped and fell on bend after 3rd
led, headed before 2 out, soon weakened
tracked leader, led on bit before 2 out, clear before last
in rear and in touch, left 3rd after 3rd, mistake 5th, outpaced from 4 out, chased winner before last, kept on and always well held
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Neachells Bridge and Joueur Bresilien were both winners last time with the former having the more recent form, though he might struggle to confirm Hereford running with Almost Gold on 7lb worse terms. HOWTH SUMMIT won a Cork maiden for Joseph O’Brien in the summer and was an eye-catcher on his first outing for Pauline Robson at Carlisle. He is having only his fifth career start and could be the pick of the weights in this. Along Came Theo sports cheekpieces on his reappearance and isn’t badly treated if they have the desired effect.
Joueur Bresilien (FR) 6-4fav (11-0) Tracked leader, led before 2 out, soon strongly challenged, hard ridden after last, idled closing stages but kept on well (2 hurdles omitted), won at Ffos Las 2m 4f mdn (4) gf in Jul beating Massini's Dream (10-7) by 1 1/4l, 8 ran.
Mountain Ranger (IRE) 10-1 (11-12) Mid-division, took keen hold, headway into 3rd 3 out, improved to dispute lead briefly and ridden 2 out, soon no impression, 12th of 17, 17 1/4l behind Padraic O Conaire (11-11) at Gowran Park 2m 4f hcp gd in Oct.
Almost Gold (IRE) 7-1 (11-5) Held up rear of mid-division, took keen hold, headway after 2 out, not fluent last, went 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 12, 4 1/2l behind Neachells Bridge (11-12) at Hereford 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Along Came Theo (IRE) 8-1 (11-2) Held up, ridden before 6th, weakened approaching 3 out, pulled up before 2 out, at Southwell 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Mar.
Neachells Bridge (IRE) 11-4fav (11-12) Chased leaders, not fluent 3 out, led next, clear flat, comfortably, won at Hereford 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Nov beating Destined To Shine (10-13) by 2 3/4l, 12 ran.
Howth Summit (IRE) 18-1 (11-8) Towards rear, headway after 4 out, ridden before 2 out, stayed on to take 4th flat, no impression with leaders, 4th of 18, 19 1/2l behind Aspen Colorado (11-12) at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in Oct.
Cut And Run 20-1 (11-4) Chased leader until approaching 4 out, chased leaders , no impression when lost modest 4th run-in, 5th of 15, 17 1/4l behind Diamond Gait (11-4) at Ludlow 2m mdn (4) gd in Nov.
