in rear, 7th halfway, 6th 3 out, pushed along entering straight and no impression when fell last, remounted to finish completely tailed off
prominent and led after 1st, jumped right 3 out and headed next, 4th entering straight and no extra run-in
always towards rear, never a factor, detached 4 out, completely tailed off
tracked leaders in 4th, slow 5th and slight mistake next, soon pushed along and no extra after 4 out, weakened, completely tailed off
chased leaders in 6th, progress and close 5th approaching straight, no extra run-in
tracked leaders in 3rd, hampered 3 out, progress to dispute next, pushed along when mistake and headed last, under pressure run-in and kept on one pace
prominent and tracked leader in 2nd, progress to dispute briefly 2 out, pushed along in close 3rd when not fluent last, ridden and kept on same pace run-in, no impression on winner
tracked leaders, 4th halfway, progress to dispute 2 out, led last, ridden and kept on run-in
Si C'Etait Vrai made a fine chasing debut behind the classy Morning Assembly but didn't do so well behind that winner in a Grade 2 on his next start. Winning point-to-pointer Grey Monk has always looked a potentially smart chaser so he did very well to land a maiden hurdle at Wexford and will be seen in even better light over fences. Talbot Road also scored between the flags and over timber and caught the eye on his chasing bow behind Bright New Dawn at Punchestown. Minsk was smart over hurdles without quite reaching the heights and this could prove to be his optimum trip over fences after a couple of reasonable efforts. DJAKADAM won a couple of minor races over hurdles in the spring before stepping up in grade and performing with credit. His pedigree shouts chaser and he can make a successful debut over the bigger obstacles.
Back To Balloo (IRE) 25-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, improved to track leaders from 6th, soon 4th, no impression and kept on same pace from after 3 out, 4th of 8, 19l behind Mozoltov (11-12) at Fairyhouse 2m beg chs.
Caolaneoin (IRE) 9-2 (11-12) Soon led, mistake 8th, ridden and headed approaching 3 out where fell, in a race won by Shanpallas (11-8) at Killarney 2m 4f beg chs gd in Aug, 15 ran.
Finisterre 66-1 (11-12) Soon in rear, no danger when fell 4 out,, in a race won by Golanbrook (11-12) at Clonmel 2m 3f beg chs gd, 6 ran.
Grey Monk (IRE) 1-3fav (11-4) Tracked leader in 2nd, improved to dispute lead 3 out, ridden from next, led after 2 out, joined briefly at last, kept on under pressure run-in, won at Wexford 2m 2f mdn hdl sft in Nov beating Dave's Stamper (11-1) by 1 1/4l, 9 ran.
Katnap (FR) (10-7) in a race won by La Segnora (10-5) at Auteuil(FR) 2m 3f Listed hdl gs in Jun, 15 ran.
Minsk (IRE) 9-2 (11-11) Soon chased leaders, 5th 3 out, ridden before straight, no impression and kept on same pace from after 2 out, 4th of 12, 7l behind My Murphy (11-12) at Fairyhouse 3m beg chs sft.
Si C'etait Vrai (FR) 12-1 (11-3) Led and disputed lead, headed 3 out, soon pushed along and dropped to 4th, no extra in straight, last of 4, 22l behind Morning Assembly (11-3) at Punchestown 2m 6f nov chs G2 (1) in Nov.
Djakadam (FR) 7-1 (11-0) Tracked leader, slight mistake 3 out, soon 3rd, well held in 4th when not fluent last, kept on same pace run-in, 4th of 6, 12l behind Diakali (11-0) at Punchestown 2m 4yo hdl Grade 1 (1) hvy in Apr.
Talbot Road (IRE) 13-2 (11-12) Mid-division, progress into 5th 3 out, soon ridden, no impression leaders in 3rd before last, kept on one pace, 3rd of 12, 13l behind Bright New Dawn (11-12) at Punchestown 2m 4f beg chs.
