soon in rear, slight mistake 6 out, well off pace and pushed along from 3 out, went moderate 4th and kept on same pace from before straight
chased leader, mistake 2nd, slight mistake 4 out, closed 2 out, slight mistake last, soon ridden, 3rd and no extra from under 1f out, kept on same pace
towards rear, moderate 5th from 3 out, no extra from next
led, clear for much, got in close 5 out, reduced lead 2 out, strongly pressed from before straight, headed and no extra from under 1f out, kept on same pace
chased leaders, closed travelling well before straight, led under 1f out and soon clear, stayed on well, comfortably
chased leaders, not fluent 3rd, moderate 4th 3 out, raced very wide approaching next, soon no extra, eased closing stages, blowing hard post race
It's impossible to rule any of the sextet out with confidence though useful hurdler Grey Soldier is making his chasing debut at this exalted level. Foildubh progressed nicely over timber and was still in front when stumbling and unshipping his rider on his chasing bow at Roscommon though there was still everything to play for at the time. Ainama is suited by today's testing ground as he showed when beating Traffic Article at Ballinrobe though that was over 2m6f and this could prove on the short side. Sweeps Hill is another likely to be suited by further as it was over 2m4f that he scored at Punchestown but REGAL D'ESTRUVAL is ideally suited by the trip and he jumped superbly when making all at Tramore. Provided the ground gets no heavier he can outpace these rivals, though Westmeath looked a novice to follow when making a winning start at Gowran.
Ainama (IRE) 11-10fav (10-12) Raced in 3rd, challenged and on terms last, led and stayed on best along stand's rail run-in, won at Ballinrobe 2m 6f chs hvy in Sep beating Traffic Article (11-5) by 1 1/4l, 5 ran.
Foildubh (IRE) 12-1 (11-1) Prominent and led from 2nd, hit 5 out, pressed when stumbled badly on landing and unseated rider 3 out, in a race won by St Devote (11-1) at Roscommon 2m nov chs (1) sft in Sep, 9 ran.
Grey Soldier (IRE) 14-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, closer in 5th from 4 out, kept on same pace under pressure from after next, 8th of 18, 8l behind Princeton Plains (10-3) at Killarney 2m 1f hcp hdl gs in May.
Regal D'estruval (FR) 3-1fav (11-12) Made all at good pace, clear from 3 out, pushed along and kept on well from 2 out, easily, won at Tramore 2m beg chs beating Native Palm (11-11) by 12l, 14 ran.
Sweeps Hill (NZ) 6-4fav (11-5) Raced in 3rd, struggling from before straight, closed under pressure in 2nd 2 out, no impression under pressure and kept on same pace run-in, 2nd of 5, 5l behind Fort George (11-0) at Killarney 2m 6f nov chs gd in Jul.
Westmeath (IRE) 4-5fav (11-12) Led and clear, mistake 3rd, soon reduced lead, good jump and went on 4 out, reduced lead 3 out, soon pressed, stayed on well run-in, won at Gowran Park 2m 2f beg chs sft beating Byerley Bear (11-12) by 1 1/2l, 5 ran.
