led, headed 5th, mistake 4 out, regained narrow lead approaching 2 out, mistake 2 out and ridden, went clear after last, stayed on strongly, comfortably
in rear, ridden 3 out, moderate 5th after 2 out, never a factor
tracked leader in 2nd, took keen hold, led 5th, headed narrowly and ridden approaching 2 out, no impression on winner at last, kept on same pace run-in
tracking leaders in 3rd when not fluent at 1st and quickly pulled up
always towards rear, slight mistakes 4th and 5th, ridden in moderate 5th 3 out, moderate 4th and mistake 2 out, weakened
soon tracked leaders in 3rd, pushed along in moderate 3rd 3 out, soon no impression on leaders and kept on under hands and heels thereafter
held up in 5th, ridden in rear before 3 out, weakened
soon tracked leaders on 4th, ridden in moderate 4th 3 out, soon no impression on leaders
AMERICAN MIKE is an exciting prospect for Gordon Elliott to go to work with and that second in the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham will ensure he takes suitably high rank in the betting on his hurdling bow. The trainer also sends out Thunder Down Under after an absence so any support for the eight-year-old would be significant. Letsbeclearaboutit is another to return off the easy list and he did chase the useful Sir Gerhard to a respectful distance at Navan under similar conditions prior to winning a bumper. Cocoplum disappointed when seen here in June and she will need to have brushed up upon her hurdling technique in the interim.
American Mike (IRE) 9-4 (12-0) Tracked leaders in 3rd, led 3f out, soon ridden, headed and dropped to 3rd 2f out, soon no impression on leaders, kept on same pace, 3rd of 9, 15 1/4l behind Facile Vega (12-0) at Punchestown 2m (1) Good - Yielding in Apr.
Jimli's Glory 125-1 (11-12) Mid-division, slight mistake 6th, pushed along and weakened before 2 out, 15th of 19, dist behind Hubrisko (11-12) at Galway 2m 1f mdn gd in Sep.
Letsbeclearaboutit (IRE) 4-7fav (12-2) Made all, 3 lengths clear halfway, pushed along 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on well inside final furlong, won at Fairyhouse 2m Yielding in Apr beating Harry Alonzo (11-13) by 1 1/2l, 8 ran.
Thunder Down Under (IRE) 8-13fav (12-0) Prominent, 2nd halfway, lost place quickly after 3 out, soon no extra and eased, pulled up before next, at Tipperary 3m mdn Good - Yielding in Jun.
Wee Jerry (IRE) 3-1 (11-11) Mid-div, fell 8th, at Loughanmore 3m mdn Yielding in Oct.
Cocoplum (IRE) 9-2 (10-11) Tracked leaders, slight mistake 1st, ridden in moderate 5th 3 out, soon no impression on leaders, 4th of 11, 21l behind Banks Boy (11-4) at Down Royal 2m mdn gd in Jun.
Gill's Supreme (IRE) Doyen M out of Jemima Jay.
Yolande Court (IRE) 125-1 (11-7) Tracked leader, 3rd halfway, 7th and pushed along 4f out, soon no impression and no extra entering straight, 7th of 13, dist behind Fun Fun Fun (11-6) at Sligo 2m 2f Yielding - Soft in Oct.
