soon towards rear, never a factor, tailed off
waited with, 8th after 5th, no impression when slight mistake last, kept on same pace
waited with, 9th after 5th, no extra from 2 out, tailed off
chased leaders, 4th after 5th, moderate 3rd approaching straight, one pace
soon chased leaders, closer in 3rd after 5th, not match leaders from before 3 out where mistake, not fluent last, moderate 5th approaching straight, one pace
mid-division early, 7th after 5th, slightly impeded last, moderate 4th approaching straight, kept on same pace without threatening
led, a little slow at 2nd, joined 8th, soon headed, not match winner from before straight, one pace
waited with, 10th after 5th, no extra from last
raced in 2nd, on terms 8th, soon led, travelling smoothly and asserted from before straight, stayed on well, easily
soon chased leaders, 5th after 5th, no extra when slight mistake last, tailed off
mid-division early, closer in 4th at 6th, not fluent 2 out, one pace after
held up, soon towards rear and never a factor, not fluent last, tailed off
Winter Escape completed a hat-trick over hurdles when trained by Alan King and was having his first start for new connections when runner-up in a similar race to this here in July. He's an obvious threat to all but SYMPA DES FLOS has always looked a chasing type and his victory over hurdles on heavy going at Limerick was a bonus so he gets the nod. Manger Et Trotter battled to victory in a Clonmel maiden hurdle but was then beaten a distance in a Fairyhouse handicap while Portmore Lough has run since landing a maiden over timber at Kilbeggan three years ago. Clash Of D Titans had a bit of form over timber in the UK and Gavin Cromwell will get the best out of him.
Bishops Quarter (IRE) 50-1 (11-12) Towards rear, fell 3rd, at Galway 2m 7f sft in Aug.
Clash Of D Titans (IRE) 3-1 (12-6) Chased leaders, hit 2nd, hit 3 out, soon pushed along, weakened before next, tailed off, 6th of 7, dist behind Lex Talionis (12-2) at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in Apr.
Gotaway (IRE) 50-1 (11-9) Held up, slight mistake 2nd, mistake and unseated rider 3rd, at Tipperary 2m 7f sft in May.
Hudson's Bay (IRE) 25-1 (11-12) In rear, moderate 8th at 6th, ridden after 2 out in moderate 6th, no extra, never a factor, 6th of 8, 20 3/4l behind Monarch (11-12) at Killarney 2m 1f gd in Aug.
Nikodam (FR) 40-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, improved to dispute 2nd 3 out, ridden in 3rd after 3 out, no extra before 2 out, 4th before last where fell, at Ballinrobe 2m 7f Yielding in Aug.
Portmore Lough (IRE) 4-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, 3rd with a circuit to race, went 2nd before 4 out, improved to dispute after 4 out, led before next, ridden and joined before 2 out, kept on best to regain lead run-in, won at Kilbeggan 2m mdn gd in Aug beating Roconga (11-12) by 1l, 10 ran.
Sympa Des Flos (FR) 7-1 (11-0) Led or disputed lead, headed 5th, pushed along after 4 out and no impression in rear before next, weakened, 5th of 6, dist behind Blow By Blow (11-0) at Thurles 2m 4f (1) sft in Feb.
Well Tom (IRE) 50-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders in moderate 4th, weakened and trailing from 5 out, tailed off when refused at last, at Gowran Park 2m 4f hvy in Mar.
Winter Escape (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, slight mistake 7th, improved into 2nd after last, ridden and pressed leader 1f out, no extra closing stages and kept on same pace, 2nd of 15, 2 1/4l behind St Stephens Green (11-12) at Galway 2m 2f Yielding in Jul.
Ballybrowney Walk (FR) 33-1 (11-7) Chased leader, 2nd halfway, ridden after 3 out, under pressure in 4th before 2 out, kept on one pace, 5th of 8, 30 1/2l behind Dawn In The Park (11-7) at Tramore 2m 6f gd in Aug.
Manger Et Trotter (IRE) 16-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders, lost place and no impression from before straight, soon no extra, last of 15, dist behind Western Ruler (10-3) at Fairyhouse 2m hcp hvy in Apr.
Shantelle (IRE) 12-1 (11-3) Mid-division, dropped to rear 9th, no impression from 4 out, 10th of 14, dist behind In A Pinch (11-6) at Wexford 2m 4f hcp gd in Jun.