prominent, gained narrow lead from 2 out, soon pushed along, slight mistake last, pushed out to assert and stayed on well run-in, eased near finish
led, ran slightly off bend after 3rd, headed from 2 out, no extra and one pace in 3rd run-in
tracked leaders, switched left soon after 2 out and pushed along, 2nd and kept on without threatening winner run-in
waited with behind leaders, slow jump 1st, a little keen and bumped with rival 3rd, soon chased leaders, pushed along from 3 out in last, soon no impression, left distant 4th from final flight
tracked leaders, not fluent 1st, a little keen, slight mistake 2nd, bumped 3rd, soon in rear, pushed along at stages after, closed again from 6th, a little slow 3 out, effort on outer before straight, no impression from 2 out, moderate 4th when fell last
Gordon Elliott dominates the opener with DUFFLE COAT and Quilixios. The former was very impressive on his racecourse debut at Punchestown last month and gets the nod though his stable companion is in the 'could be anything' category having easily won in France on heavy going in March. Race fitness may just hand the initiative to Jack Kennedy's mount, Little Brother landed a Ballinrobe maiden in August but has twice been put in his place by another Elliott-trained juvenile hurdler Longclaw.
Duffle Coat (IRE) 16-1 (11-2) Held up in rear, closer in 8th 2 out, headway on outer into 2nd travelling well entering straight, pushed along to lead approaching last, stayed on well under hands and heels run-in, comfortably, won at Punchestown 2m 1f mdn Yielding in Sep beating Crassus (11-2) by 6l, 13 ran.
Little Brother (IRE) 7-1 (11-2) Led and disputed, slight mistake 1st, headed 2nd, disputed again after 3 out, headed and slight mistake 2 out, soon ridden, no extra from last, 5th of 8, 13 3/4l behind Longclaw (11-6) at Listowel 2m Grp 3 gd in Sep.
Made In Pimlico (IRE) 125-1 (10-10) Mid-division, 5th halfway, slight mistake 4th, ridden entering straight, no impression 2 out, kept on same pace from last, 4th of 8, 12 1/4l behind Longclaw (11-6) at Listowel 2m Grp 3 gd in Sep.
Meknas (FR) Gleneagles gelding out of Barenia.
Waterville Lady (IRE) 10-1 (10-3) Mid-division, jumped left and unseated rider 2nd, at Listowel 2m Grp 3 gd in Sep.
Quilixios (10-6) won at Compiegne 2m hvy in Mar beating Yes Indeed (10-5) by 12l, 11 ran.
Londonofficecallin (IRE) 50-1 (8-4) Chased leaders early, 9th from halfway, pushed along before straight, no extra from over 1f out, 12th of 14, 15 1/4l behind Troop Commander (8-9) at Killarney 1m hcp Good - Yielding in Aug.
