rear, 12th before 8th, no headway, weakened after 2 out, never a factor
in rear, 11th after 7th, progress after 2 out, kept on one pace run-in, no danger
led, increased advantage after 3rd, reduced lead before 2 out, ridden and kept on final 150 yards, headed close home and dropped to 3rd
chased leader, 4th after 6th, lost place and weakened after 3 out
rear of mid-division, 6th after 6th, progress after 7th, improved to 2nd after 3 out, mistake in 3rd 2 out, soon not recover in 4th and weakened
chased leader, 5th after 6th, 6th after 7th, lost place and weakened before 2 out
in touch on outer, not fluent at 1st, lost place before 6th, under pressure in rear before 8th where not fluent, soon detached, pulled up before 9th
mid-division, 7th after 6th, progress after 4 out, no impression before 2 out, weakened after 2 out
towards rear, 9th before 7th, headway before 2 out, ridden and weakened after 2 out
close up, 3rd to clear leader after 6th, 4th after 3 out, closed in 2nd before 2 out, 3rd at last, ridden and kept on run-in to 2nd close home, just held
rear, 10th after 7th, progress 2 out, kept on one pace in moderate 4th run-in
tracked leader, 2nd to clear leader after 6th, 3rd after 3 out, under pressure and lost place before 2 out, weakened after 2 out
towards rear, 8th after 8th, headway after 3 out, took closer order in 4th before 2 out, progress to 2nd at last, ridden and kept on run-in to lead close home
This looks a warm-up for the season for Grand National runner-up Balko Des Flos, with interest in the race heightened by the return of Rachael Blackmore. The 10-year-old is not ruled out but presumably a clear round is the prime objective for both horse and rider. Wearapinkribbon will improve after just three starts over timber but may not offer too much in the way of value so GUIRI gets the nod in the hope he'll repeat the level of his win at Punchestown in April. He didn't shape at all badly on his sole start since in late July and remains feasibly treated. Discorama may find this too sharp over hurdles so Buck Rogers and The Little Yank are likelier each-way options.
Balko Des Flos (FR) 100-1 (10-9) Held up rear of mid-division, hampered 15th (chair), headway 19th, every chance 2 out, mistake last, held by winner elbow, stayed on, 2nd of 40, 6 1/2l behind Minella Times (10-3) at Aintree 4m 2f hcp (1) gs in Apr.
Discorama (FR) 16-1 (10-6) Rear of mid-division, headway from 12th, 4th at the 22nd (bechers 2nd time), 5th and beaten 29th (2 out), weakened after, 7th of 40, dist behind Minella Times (10-3) at Aintree 4m 2f hcp (1) gs in Apr.
Minx Tiara (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) Prominent, soon led and clear of remainder with one rival, slight mistake 4 out, joined before 3 out, regained lead from 2 out, headed straight, soon weakened, 10th of 25, 37 1/4l behind Capodanno (11-1) at Punchestown 3m hcp Yielding in Apr.
Bothar Dubh 15-2 (11-10) Prominent, 3rd after 8th, slight mistake 4 out, lost position from 3 out, soon pushed along, no extra before 2 out, weakened and pulled up before last, at Clonmel 3m hcp hvy in Nov.
The Little Yank (IRE) 11-1 (11-8) Led and clear, increased advantage at 2nd, reduced lead after 6th, not fluent at 7th, headed before 2 out, ridden before last, kept on run-in, not match winner, 2nd of 8, 2l behind Off Your Rocco (11-8) at Limerick 2m 5f lst (1) sft in Oct.
Wearapinkribbon (IRE) 9-2 (11-7) Waited with, raced on outer, slight mistake 5th, soon raced in 5th, closed approaching 4 out where pecked slightly, pushed along approaching straight, soon no impression and one pace, 3rd of 7, 15 3/4l behind Merry Doyenne (11-0) at Wexford 3m hvy in May.
Elwood (FR) 28-1 (11-1) Slight mistake 1st, prominent, on terms 4th, led approaching 5 out, headed 3 out, pushed along in 3rd approaching straight, no impression and not fluent 2 out, one pace, 4th of 13, 15 3/4l behind Rhythm Divine (11-1) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f hcp sft in Feb.
Guiri (GER) 15-2 (11-10) Mid-division, slight mistake 6th, ridden and effort 2 out, 7th entering straight, kept on one pace, 6th of 20, 15l behind Shanwalla (11-10) at Galway 2m 5f hcp gd in Jul.
Bread And Butter (IRE) 12-1 (11-3) Chased leaders, impeded 1st, slight mistake 5th and at times after, disputed 8th after 6th and pushed along briefly, reminder after 8th, no extra from before straight, 11th of 12, dist behind Marshalled (11-0) at Gowran Park 2m 4f hcp gd in Oct.
Coventry (IRE) 18-1 (11-5) Rear of mid-division, headway on outer before 3 out where slight mistake, pushed along and no impression before 2 out, 9th at last, kept on well run-in, 6th of 18, 12 1/2l behind Autumn Evening (11-6) at Listowel 2m hcp Good - Yielding in Sep.
Buck Rogers (IRE) 12-1 (11-1) Towards rear, 14th after 8th, good headway on outer after 3 out, 2nd 2 out, challenged leader at last, ridden and kept on well run-in, just failed, 2nd of 16, shd behind Kruzhlinin (11-3) at Limerick 3m hcp sft in Oct.
Owenacurra Lass (IRE) 6-1 (12-0) Tracked leader in 2nd, disputed lead from 6th, headed 4 out, improved to lead after 3 out, ridden 2 out, stayed on well under pressure inside final furlong, won at Tramore 2m 4f hcp gd in Oct beating Capture The Action (11-12) by 1 1/4l, 8 ran.
Jiving Jerry (IRE) 11-2 (10-3) Prominent behind clear leader, took closer order from 8th, travelling smoothly and on terms approaching straight, soon led, slight mistake 2 out, headed before last, dropped to 3rd and one pace closing stages, 3rd of 8, 2l behind Tullybeg (11-10) at Gowran Park 3m hcp Good - Yielding in Oct.
