led until after 1st, tracked leader, ridden after 5th, disputing 2nd 2 out, weakened last
in touch, headway 2nd, ridden after 5th, kept on same pace from next
tracked leaders, switched left and not fluent 5th, soon ridden, weakened approaching 3 out
pulled hard, led after 1st, ridden and headed approaching 3 out, weakened 2 out
tracked leaders, led 3 out, kept on well from 2 out, ridden out
tracked leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, disputing 2 lengths 2nd when fell 2 out
held up, headway under pressure approaching 3 out, left 3rd 2 out, went 2nd and hit last, kept on same pace
held up, effort after 5th, weakened 3 out
held up, weakened approaching 5th, tailed off
Top-weight SOLITARY PALM is given the vote to win the finale; Ower Empire is an Irish recruit for the Sean Curran yard who if attracting market support would be of interest while Fair Shake takes a drop in class and cannot be left out of it. Solitary Palm showed smart form throughout the early part of his career, mostly on testing ground and while little promise can be derived form his two runs this season, he has shown in the past that he improves for a couple of runs. Ower Empire has not been seen on a racecourse since February of this year. His best run was in a decent winners bumper at the 2007 Listowel Festival while also finishing third in a soft ground Tramore maiden hurdle at the beginning of this year. Fair Shake has looked a non-stayer on his latest starts but has dropped down in the ratings. Passato, a half-brother to a Group 1 winner over a mile in Germany showed improved form in what was his first start in handicap company last time out. Solitary Palm is given the vote to win it.
Solitary Palm (IRE) 9-1 (11-2) Mid-division, ridden after 6th, weakened before next, 9th of 11, 47l behind Kosmos Bleu (11-2) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Oct.
Thebelloftheball 28-1 (11-9) Held up in touch, weakened after 4th, soon behind, 14th of 16, 43l behind Kayf Keel (10-9) at Warwick 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs.
Ower Empire (IRE) 16-1 (10-6) Never a factor, 20th of 25, well behind Drumconvis (10-11) at Naas 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-102 sft in Feb.
Passato (GER) 50-1 (10-10) Mid-division, headway 3rd, mistake 3 out, one pace approaching last, 7th of 16, 8l behind Kayf Keel (10-9) at Warwick 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs.
Alasao 40-1 (10-5) Mid-division, headway 3rd, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out, 7th of 11, well behind Mahonia (10-12) at Exeter 2m 1f nov hdl (3) gs.
Fair Shake (IRE) 33-1 (10-0) Mid-division until weakened approaching 3 out, 13th of 14, 29l behind Busker Royal (11-9) at Ascot 2m 3f nov hcp hdl (3) gd.
Kilmeena Magic 33-1 (11-4) Held up, ridden 3 out, stayed on one pace from 2 out, 5th of 17, 16l behind Norisan (10-4) at Wincanton 2m nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs in Oct.
Cherryficial (IRE) 66-1 (10-2) Mid-division until weakened 3 out, 8th of 12, 37l behind Weather Front (11-2) at Exeter 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gs in Oct.
Itstooearly 20-1 (10-4) Led, ridden and quickened after 3 out, hit 2 out, soon headened, weakened after, 4th of 12, 13l behind Posh Emily (11-8) at Taunton 2m 1f sll hcp hdl (5) gs.
