mid-division, poor 7th 1 mile out, weakened from over 4f out, tailed off
keen hold, soon led and well clear, reduced lead and headed over 1f out, soon no extra in 3rd
dwelt and soon well off pace towards rear, closer in poor 5th 1 mile out, ridden from 4f out, closed to lead over 1f out, soon strongly pressed, kept on well, all out
well off pace towards rear, never a factor, kept on without threatening under pressure from 4f out
soon raced in poor 2nd, ridden from 4f out, no impression 2f out, soon no extra in 4th
soon raced in poor 4th, ridden over 5f out, soon no extra and weakened
chased leaders, poor 3rd from 1 mile out, ridden from 4f out, closed and challenged in 2nd from over 1f out, kept on well final furlong, not quite get to winner
soon raced in poor 6th, ridden over 5f out, soon no impression
soon well off pace in rear, never a factor, kept on without threatening under pressure from 4f out
Alpine Eagle is useful over timber and on the flat and is a threat to all including stablemate Fantoche, who is better known as a chaser these days but has been in good form on the level. MAGEN'S STAR aimed high after completing a hat-trick around this time last year, including over this trip at Listowel. His form is on ground with plenty of give and the recent rain would have aided his cause enough to be successful here. Mount Helicon was useful on the flat in France but hasn't shown the same level of form over hurdles in the UK. Gallery Man has made great strides over hurdles recently and must be given a chance in an open contest.
Wildfire Blaze (USA) 12-1 (9-4) Tracked leader in 2nd, ridden from 2 1/2f out, soon weakened, trailing final furlong, tailed off, last of 10, well behind Shela House (9-3) at Curragh 1m 2f app hcp 60-90 hvy in Aug.
Magen's Star (IRE) 16-1 (9-4) Led, ridden and headed over 3f out, soon no extra and weakened, 10th of 13, 21l behind Silverhand (9-7) at Curragh 1m 4f Listed stks sft in Oct.
Alpine Eagle (IRE) 10-1 (8-11) Tracked leaders in 6th, ridden entering straight, 5th and no impression from 1 1/2f out, 5th of 8, 13l behind Red Moloney (8-11) at Curragh 1m 6f stks sft in Aug '07.
Diamond Shower (USA) 8-1 (8-13) Led, headed after 2f, chased leader, 3rd halfway, ridden 3f out, no extra in 4th 2f out, kept on same pace, 5th of 8, 9l behind Spinning Wings (8-10) at Listowel 1m 6f hcp 60-90 gf in Jun.
Fantoche (BRZ) 8-1 (9-3) Soon led, strongly pressed and headed inside final furlong, soon dropped to 3rd and kept on same pace, 3rd of 10, 3 1/2l behind Celtic Dane (9-5) at Down Royal 1m 5f hcp fm in Jun.
First Row (IRE) 9-4fav (9-12) Held up, 11th 4f out, 6th early straight, 4th and ridden 2f out, kept on without threatening winner, 3rd of 22, 8l behind Catch Me (9-12) at Curragh 2m stk gs in Apr '06.
Mount Helicon 7-1 (8-11) 3rd of 9, 1 1/4l behind Watar (8-11) at Deauville(FR) 1m 7f stk sft in Aug '08.
Gallery Man (IRE) 25-1 (8-11) Chased leaders in 4th, 5th halfway, ridden from 5f out, no impression from 3f out, 5th of 8, 14l behind The Bull Hayes (9-7) at Tipperary 1m 6f stks in Apr.
Southern Mistral 40-1 (10-7) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, lost place over 4f out, ridden in moderate 7th and no impression 2f out, kept one pace, 7th of 10, 23l behind Salute Him (11-0) at Bellewstown 1m 5f am stks (4yo+) gf.
