led, pushed along and headed entering straight, mistake 2 out where bumped on landing by rival and brought down
tracked leaders in 4th, slight mistake 4th, left 2nd 2 out, pushed along and soon no impression on winner, not fluent last
tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, close up when left in front 2 out, soon clear, kept on well run-in, easily
tracked leader, 2nd halfway, progress to lead entering straight, fell 2 out
always rear, pushed along and no impression in 5th approaching straight, left moderate 3rd 2 out, no extra
A small field but an interesting contest. Neverushacon is penalised for his victory on good ground here in June and has since run well behind two smart rivals in a Naas Grade 3. Squouateur probably didn't beat a lot at Fairyhouse but jumped immaculately and has much more to offer. AMERICAN TOM was a huge price when making his debut at Auteuil a year ago but belied his odds with an excellent display. The lack of a run won't be a problem and, as he's entered in next week's Grade 1 Bar One at Fairyhouse, he is handed the vote. Gunnery Sergeant landed a point to point at Oldcastle in February and impressed when landing a Punchestown bumper last month. He could prove to be very smart over timber this winter.
Neverushacon (IRE) 16-1 (10-13) Disputed 3rd early, left 2nd and hampered at 1st, 3rd halfway, ridden in 3rd entering straight, disputed 2nd 2 out, soon no impression on winner, dropped to 3rd and no extra close home, 3rd of 4, 8 1/2l behind Gwencily Berbas (11-8) at Naas 2m (1) Yielding - Soft in Nov.
Squouateur (FR) 11-10fav (11-2) Held up, a little keen and soon chased leaders, pushed along after 3 out, 5th into straight, challenged after 2 out, led last, ridden out and stayed on well run-in, won at Fairyhouse 2m mdn Yielding in Nov beating Mountain Kingdom (11-2) by 2 3/4l, 9 ran.
American Tom (FR) 25-1 (10-5) 3rd of 13, 10 1/2l behind Tiesto D'authie (10-7) at Auteuil 2m 1f fm in Nov.
Gunnery Sergeant (IRE) 2-1fav (11-10) Soon raced in 3rd, closed up 5f out, led over 4f out, pushed along 2f out, stayed on best from 1f out, won at Punchestown 2m gd in Oct beating Golden Birthday (11-10) by 3 1/2l, 8 ran.
Ted Bach (IRE) 10-1 (11-7) Slight mistake 1st, towards rear for most, ridden in 8th 3 out, no impression before next, 9th of 10, 18 1/4l behind Hatch Hall (11-7) at Cork 2m mdn gd in Oct.
