mid-division, 6th halfway, ridden into 4th entering straight, left 2nd last, no extra run-in
held up towards rear, ridden into 5th and no impression entering straight, left 4th last, kept on same pace run-in
chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden 2 out, 3rd entering straight, 4th approaching last, left 3rd, kept on to 2nd run-in, not reach winner
led, disputed from 5 out, ridden to assert after 2 out, kept on well from before last
prominent, close 2nd halfway, disputed from 5 out, ridden in 3rd 2 out, soon weakened
held up in rear, ridden before 2 out, no impression in 7th entering straight, kept on one pace
chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden in 5th approaching 2 out, no extra in 6th entering straight, kept on one pace
mid-division, 5th halfway, improved to close 3rd 4 out, challenged approaching 2 out, ridden in 2nd entering straight, no extra when bad mistake and unseated rider last
It's amazing to find the veteran L'Ami in a novice hurdle and he'll undoubtedly be warming up for another campaign in cross-country events. Askanna returned after a summer break to beat Tilabay in good style at Gowran on the first day of the month and with that under her belt she will make a bold bid to retain her unbeaten record in this slightly better race. ASIYA looks the one to be on despite still being a maiden over timber as she has produced some good runs and very nearly landed a tough handicap on the Flat at the Curragh a couple of weeks ago. Imperial Shabra has been running in better grade but the concession of so much weight may prove beyond him.
Imperial Shabra (IRE) 16-1 (11-1) Led, headed approaching 2 out, soon ridden and outpaced, 3rd and no extra from last, 3rd of 5, 6l behind Luska Lad (11-10) at Punchestown 2m hdl Gr3 (1) gd.
Vivaldi (IRE) 20-1 (11-1) Held up, moderate 8th 5 out, no extra after next, 9th of 12, 27l behind Sivota (11-1) at Navan 2m 6f hdl sft in Sep.
Askanna (IRE) 4-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, 6th halfway, improved into 3rd 3 out, soon challenged and led after next, wandered about and pressed from before last, kept on well, won at Gowran Park 2m 4f hdl beating Tilabay (11-5) by 1/2l, 11 ran.
L'ami (FR) 13-8fav (12-3) Settled mid-division, headway in 6th approaching 26th, improved to 3rd 3 out, 2nd next, soon challenged, ridden to lead last, kept on well run-in, won at Punchestown 4m 3f crs cntry chs (5yo+) gd in Apr beating Freneys Well (11-12) by 1 3/4l, 17 ran.
Lacarmic (IRE) 14-1 (11-5) Led, headed 5th, remained prominent, 3rd 4 out, 5th and ridden before 2 out, kept on same pace, 5th of 23, 22l behind First Lieutenant (11-12) at Punchestown 2m 4f mdn hdl gd.
Mutadarrej (IRE) 5-2 (11-0) Held up, closed from 7th, ridden after 3 out, hard driven flat, unable to quicken, stayed on close home, 3rd of 7, 3l behind Gambo (10-13) at Worcester 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gd in Sep.
Kalico Kim (IRE) 33-1 (11-7) Towards rear, never a factor, some headway from 3 out, 10th of 23, 30l behind Bootlegger (11-12) at Cork 2m 4f mdn hdl gf in May.
Asiya (IRE) 5-2 (10-11) Tracked leaders in 6th, close 5th travelling well 2 out, 4th when not clear run approaching last, ridden and ran on well run-in, 2nd of 16, nk behind Double Seven (11-2) at Sligo 2m 2f 4yo mdn hdl in Sep.
