soon mid-division, off the pace, moderate 6th and kept on same pace from before 3 out
close up early, soon chasing leader, 5th before 3 out, soon no extra
chased leaders, off the pace, closer in 4th before 3 out, no impression and kept on same pace from before straight
prominent in chasing group, appeared to race a bit idly at times, ridden to lead before straight, pressed and stayed on well from before last
waited with off the pace, no danger and kept on same pace from before 4 out
chased leaders, off the pace, closed from before 3 out, switched to challenge next, struggling to get to winner when mistake last, kept on same pace run-in
soon led and clear for much, reduced lead approaching 3 out, headed before straight, soon dropped to 3rd and no impression, kept on same pace
well off pace towards rear for most, never a factor
soon off the pace in mid-division, mistake 5th, no extra and pulled up before 5 out
This is a strong race for the money and though things haven't gone according to plan with TURBAN, who has been beaten five times since making a winning debut over hurdles at Thurles a year ago, he's been taking on better company and it was no disgrace to go down by 2l to Tofino Bay at Punchestown in April. He gets the vote though Shrapnel had been racing over much further before reverting to this trip and gaining his first victory at Galway last month and should be in the firing line. Kilavalley made all and impressed with his jumping on only his second start over hurdles at Galway and will take some catching in that kind of mood so he has to be a threat but promising chaser Harpsy Cord should do better when returning to fences. Auenschutze is another who should win races over the bigger obstacles this season though he has been running well over timber and only just failed to catch Tap Night at Ayr earlier this month.
Auenschutze (GER) 10-1 (10-0) Held up, headway approaching 3 out, mistake 2 out, not fluent last, stayed on well final 100 yards, just failed, 2nd of 6, shd behind Tap Night (11-12) at Ayr 2m hcp hdl 0-140 (3) sft.
Harpsy Cord (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, improved on inner to lead before straight, strongly pressed and joined last, headed and kept on without matching winner run-in, 2nd of 10, 1/2l behind Highdownhill (10-5) at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 hvy.
Kilavalley (IRE) 10-3 (11-12) Made all, almost joined 2 out, went on from before straight and stayed on well run-in, won at Galway 2m 5yo mdn hdl sft in Oct beating Ancient Days (11-12) by 2 1/4l, 10 ran.
Shrapnel (IRE) 9-2 (11-12) Chased leader in 2nd, improved to challenge before 2 out, ridden to lead after 2 out, kept on under pressure from before last, won at Galway 2m mdn hdl in Oct beating Rory O'Moore (11-12) by 4l, 5 ran.
Stony Grey Soil (IRE) 16-1 (11-12) Chased leaders until no extra in 4th approaching 4 out, 5th of 16, well behind Bishopsfurze (11-12) at Thurles 2m 2f beg chs hvy in Nov '11.
Turban (FR) 8-1 (11-12) Settled in mid-division on inner, 6th halfway, travelled well to go 2nd approaching straight, pushed along and no impression on winner when mistake last, kept on under pressure run-in, 2nd of 11, 2 1/4l behind Tofino Bay (11-12) at Punchestown 2m 4f hdl hvy in Apr.
Uncle Tom Cobley (IRE) 20-1 (10-11) Towards rear, 8th and ridden 2 out (usual 3 out), no impression from next, 6th of 14, 15l behind Caim Hill (10-10) at Kilbeggan 2m 6f hcp chs in Jul.
Swanfold (IRE) 25-1 (10-13) Tracked leaders in moderate 4th, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, dropped to last next, last of 5, 16l behind Cause Of Causes (11-9) at Fairyhouse 2m hdl sft.
Spiritual Sister (IRE) 16-1 (9-3) Rear of mid-division, ridden into 4th 2f out, no extra 1f out, kept on same pace, 5th of 10, 4l behind Happy Anniversary (9-11) at Bellewstown 1m hcp 47-65 hvy in Jul (flat).
