soon prominent and led after 1st, joined 2 out, soon headed and dropped to 4th approaching straight, weakened from before last
held up in touch, 5th after 4th, not go with leaders from 3 out, slight mistake 2 out, weakened
held up, soon in rear, slight mistake 5th, quickly behind, pulled up 7th
chased leaders, not always fluent jumping, 4th after 4th, 3rd before 9th, bad mistake 2 out, kept on without matching winner run-in, just failed for 2nd
held up, 7th after 4th, slight mistake next, soon detached, pulled up 7th
led briefly early, waited with, 6th after 4th, 4th from 3 out, slight mistake 2 out, 2nd approaching straight, kept on without matching winner run-in, just prevailed for 2nd
soon prominent, 2nd after 4th, 3rd from 6th, lost position when pushed along and reminder after 9th, no danger from 3 out, weakened, completely tailed off
close up, led 1st, soon headed and 3rd after 4th, 2nd from 6th, on terms 2 out, soon led, pressed and stayed on best run-in
Batcio made steady progress in bumpers before a very easy victory at Kilbeggan and the winning point-to-pointer looks a nice jumping prospect. The latter remark also applies to Braid Blue, who hasn't been out of a canter to win bumpers at Kilbeggan and Perth and has a smart pedigree for hurdling. Kaatskill Nap, a winner on the Flat in the UK, started favourite for his hurdling bow at Gowran but his jumping left plenty to be desired and he'll need to improve. Ozzie's Way has been looking a bit one-paced when push comes to shove but PRESENTINGPRINCESS will take some beating. Di Love's mare ran a cracking race over 3m at Listowel last week and with Conor Orr again able to claim 7lb she looks the one to be on.
Batcio (FR) 13-8fav (12-0) Soon disputed lead, led into straight, quickly asserted, stayed on well, comfortably, won at Kilbeggan 2m gd in Aug beating Presenting Leah (11-7) by 13l, 14 ran.
Braid Blue (IRE) 1-5fav (11-7) Set steady pace, led 3f, tracked leader, effort to challenge 2f out, ridden and stayed on under pressure to lead inside final furlong, forged clear closing stages, won at Perth 2m (4) gd in Aug beating Auntie Mary (10-7) by 6l, 7 ran.
Byron Vandou (IRE) 33-1 (11-7) Always towards rear, never a factor, 8th of 10, dist behind Macgiloney (12-0) at Bellewstown 2m 1f gf in Jul.
Kaatskill Nap (FR) 2-1fav (11-12) Tracked leaders, not fluent at 4th, ridden in 3rd before 2 out, moderate 3rd when bad mistake at last, kept on one pace, 3rd of 17, 9 1/4l behind Due Reward (11-12) at Gowran Park 2m mdn gd in Jun.
Knocknarae King (IRE) 33-1 (11-4) In rear, 6th at 6th, 7th at 7th, detached and ridden after 8th, never a factor, pulled up after 3 out, at Limerick 2m 3f mdn hvy in Dec.
Ozzie's Way (IRE) 6-1 (11-4) Soon chased leaders, a little keen and raced in 3rd, led approaching 2 out, headed before last where slight mistake, one pace run-in, 2nd of 9, 4 1/2l behind The Big Lense (11-4) at Bellewstown 2m 4f mdn gd in Aug.
Worzel Gummidge (IRE) 100-1 (11-12) Always towards rear, slight mistake 4th, ridden and no impression 4 out, soon weakened and tailed off, 7th of 12, dist behind Percy Veer (11-12) at Listowel 3m mdn gd in Sep.
Presentingprincess (IRE) 10-1 (11-5) Mid-division, slight mistake 4th, progress 5 out, challenged next and soon disputed, ridden in close 2nd entering straight, kept on under pressure from 2 out, kept on well run-in, just held, 3rd of 12, 1/4l behind Percy Veer (11-12) at Listowel 3m mdn gd in Sep.
