tracked leaders, ridden from 3 out, 5th entering straight, went 3rd without threatening from last
tracked leaders, ridden in 5th 4 out, no impression from next
in rear, under pressure from 4 out, behind when pulled up before 2 out, dismounted
tracked leaders, went 2nd 4 out, close 2nd entering straight, soon ridden, kept on same pace in 2nd before last, no chance with winner
tracked leaders, ridden no impression 4th 2 out, no extra
took keen hold and soon led, ridden and strongly pressed entering straight, headed before last, no extra run-in
held up early, progress into 4th 4 out, 3rd on outer travelling well 2 out, led before last, pushed out and stayed on well run-in, easily
An intriguing contest for the money on offer though all eyes will be on WAAHEB as he makes his much anticipated debut over timber. Dermot Weld's charge lost his unbeaten record in the Champion Bumper at Punchestown in 2011 where he finished a short-head behind Lovethehigherlaw. The ground may have been a little lively for him that day but that won't be a problem here and he should make a winning start. Cloudgazer was a decent performer on the Flat and put a poor hurdling debut behind him by landing a Clonmel maiden. This is much tougher as Final Victory, who beat a huge field on his hurdling bow on heavy ground at Navan last year, is a bright prospect who won't be inconvenienced by a long break. Decade Player has been gradually improving and defied a last-flight mistake to gain a comfortable success at Ballinrobe last month.
Auenschutze (GER) 13-2 (11-12) Chased leader, mistake 7th, 2nd halfway, closer 4 out and led briefly before next, soon headed and no impression in 4th when mistake last, kept on one pace, 4th of 9, 21l behind Shabra Charity (11-0) at Downpatrick 2m 7f beg chase gd in Jun.
Coldstonesober (IRE) 33-1 (10-2) Mid-division, 7th halfway, ridden in 6th 3 out, soon no extra and weakened, 7th of 10, well behind Foildubh (11-8) at Tipperary 2m hcp hdl hvy.
Final Victory 2-1fav (11-12) Chased leader in 2nd, closed from 2 out, no impression under pressure and kept on same pace from last, 2nd of 9, 2l behind False Economy (11-12) at Ballinrobe 2m hdl gd in Apr '11.
Silver Friend 6-1 (11-1) Chased leaders, moderate 7th approaching 5 out, no extra after next, 16th of 18, 37l behind Princeton Plains (10-3) at Killarney 2m 1f hcp hdl gs in May '11.
Cloudgazer (IRE) 7-2 (11-7) Made virtually all, ridden and joined 2 out, led again at last, stayed on well run-in, won at Clonmel 2m 4yo mdn hdl gf in Sep beating Cullentry Royal (11-7) by 1/2l, 14 ran.
Decade Player (IRE) 7-4fav (10-10) Always prominent, 3rd halfway, went 2nd after 4 out, led next, clear 2 out, pushed along when mistake last, stayed on well run-in, comfortably, won at Ballinrobe 2m mdn hdl sft in Sep beating Loughderg Princess (10-11) by 7l, 15 ran.
Waaheb (USA) 15-8fav (11-6) Tracked leader, 3rd 6f out, switched left and led approaching straight, soon ridden, strongly pressed and joined 1f out, kept on under pressure, headed closing strides, 2nd of 15, shd behind Lovethehigherlaw (12-0) at Punchestown 2m N H flat G1 (1) gd in May '11.
