attempted to make all, headed before 6 out, disputed lead 4 out, ridden and headed from next, kept on one paced from 2 out
mid-division, 6th and ridden 3 out, no impression before next
tracked leaders, close 3rd 4 out, headway to go 2nd from 2 out, ridden to lead at last, kept on well run-in
mid-division, closer in 4th 4 out, ridden after next, went 3rd from 2 out, kept on in 2nd from last
reluctant to line-up, soon tracked leaders on outer, weakened from 5 out, trailing when pulled up after 4 out
prominent, led before 6 out, joined 4 out, led again next, ridden and strongly pressed from 2 out, headed and slight mistake last, no extra run-in
mid-division, ridden in 5th after 3 out, no impression from next
held up towards rear, ridden in 7th 3 out, kept on same pace from next
always behind, mistake 2nd, trailing from 8th, tailed off
This looks a well-contested novice event with Dermot Weld's lightly-raced gelding Daffern Seal defending an unbeaten record over hurdles and fences. Slieveardagh had St Devote behind when fourth to Down In Neworleans at Galway, while Paradis De Thaix was fourth in a handicap at the Festival but is more exposed than most. Credit Box wasn't beaten far at Tramore 10 days ago after winning at Limerick but this represents a step up in grade and preference is for EAGLE'S PASS. Thomond O'Mara's nine-year-old got off the mark over fences at Kilbeggan last month and ran a cracker on the Flat at Galway subsequently. Probably feeling the effects of that effort when disappointing over hurdles five days later, he's had three weeks to recover and can recapture the winning thread here.
Daffern Seal (IRE) 11-4fav (11-12) Soon led, jumped well, ridden clear approaching straight, stayed on well, won at Galway 2m 6f beg chase gd in Jul beating Traffic Article (11-12) by 5l, 18 ran.
Darenjan (IRE) 7-1 (11-3) Tracked leaders, bad peck 4th, mistake 6th, no extra and pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Down In Neworleans (11-6) at Galway 2m 1f nov chs gd in Jul, 12 ran.
Eagle's Pass (IRE) 12-1 (10-4) Towards rear, kept on same pace under pressure from 2 out, 12th of 17, 15l behind Double Seven (10-1) at Galway 2m 6f hcp hdl gd in Jul.
Slieveardagh (IRE) 8-1 (11-1) Towards rear, closed to chase leaders 2 out, no impression under pressure into straight, kept on same pace without threatening, 4th of 12, 6l behind Down In Neworleans (11-6) at Galway 2m 1f nov chs gd in Jul.
Sorted (IRE) 7-1 (11-5) Refused to race, in a race won by Salesin (11-10) at Wexford 2m 3f chs gd in Jul, 11 ran.
St Devote (FR) 16-1 (11-6) Held up, closed to track leaders 5 out, still travelling well approaching 2 out, no impression under pressure and kept on same pace into straight, 6th of 12, 12l behind Down In Neworleans (11-6) at Galway 2m 1f nov chs gd in Jul.
Trendelenburg (IRE) 16-1 (9-8) Towards rear for most, no impression from before 2 out, 14th of 17, 16l behind Double Seven (10-1) at Galway 2m 6f hcp hdl gd in Jul.
Credit Box (IRE) 11-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, progress into 3rd 2 out, no impression under pressure and kept on same pace from before last, 3rd of 7, 3 1/2l behind Sebadee (11-7) at Tramore 2m 6f chs gf.
Autumn Day (IRE) 66-1 (11-2) Slowly away, mistake 6 out, soon no extra, tailed off, 9th of 12, well behind Down In Neworleans (11-6) at Galway 2m 1f nov chs gd in Jul.
Paradis de Thaix (FR) 10-1 (10-0) Prominent, mistake 1st, mistake 5th, hampered 5 out, no impression and kept on same pace from 3 out, 4th of 20, 21l behind Another Ambition (10-5) at Galway 2m 6f hcp chs gd in Jul.
