towards rear, 5th halfway, took closer order in 4th over 4f out, travelled well and progress under 2f out, led 1 1/2f out, asserted inside final furlong, kept on well, easily
soon led at sedate pace, headed 2 1/2f out, dropped to 4th 1 1/2f out, ridden into 2nd inside final furlong, kept on, no chance with winner
mid-division, 3rd halfway, improved to 2nd over 3f out, led 2 1/2f out, headed 1 1/2f out, no impression and dropped to 4th inside final furlong, no extra
tracked leader, a little keen, 2nd halfway, dropped to 3rd and pushed along over 3f out, ridden and no impression 1 1/2f out, one paced inside final furlong
rear, 4th halfway, 5th over 4f out, under pressure 3f out, weakened 1 1/2f out
Winning point-to-pointer BETTER DAYS AHEAD went for £350,000 after landing a point at Lisronagh and started long odds-on for his bumper debut at Down Royal a month ago but found Carnfunnock too good. The winner then won easily over hurdles at Ayr so Gordon Elliott's charge can go one better. Chapeau De Soleil won a point at Stowlin easily enough in May and has joined Willie Mullins. His dam is from the family of Grand National winner Many Clouds so he may not come into his own until later. Calazure is also bred to be a staying chaser.
Better Days Ahead (IRE) 1-3fav (11-7) Led, joined 6f out, pushed along over 2f out, ridden and headed 1 1/2f out, kept on under pressure final furlong, 2nd of 3, 1 1/4l behind Carnfunnock (12-0) at Down Royal 2m 1f Yielding - Soft in Nov.
Chapeau De Soleil (IRE) 2-1 (11-11) Chsd ldr, disp 1/2way, chall 2out, 1l adv bef last where qckr jmp, asserted flat & gng away late, won at Stowlin 3m mdn Yielding in May beating Minella Diamond (11-11) by 5l, 7 ran.
Monsieur Azul Blue Bresil gelding out of Tara Potter.
Run For Harry (IRE) Champs Elysees gelding out of Alverstone.
Soldaro (IRE) 80-1 (11-5) Rear, 12th halfway, 11th over 4f out, effort and progress over 2f out, 7th entering straight, switched left 1f out, kept on one pace in 6th closing stages, 6th of 12, 18 3/4l behind Mi Lucky Cailin (11-5) at Galway 2m fll sft in Oct.
Calazure (IRE) Califet gelding out of Lilly Of The Moor.
