tracked leader, niggled along before straight, soon no impression, mistake last, kept on same pace run-in
raced in 3rd, ridden before straight, soon no impression, mistake last, kept on same pace run-in
made all, going best from before straight, clear approaching 2 out where got in close, stayed on well, easily
raced in last of the 4, pushed along 4 out, no extra from before straight
Luddenmore will need to find some improvement but the remaining quartet look closely matched. New tactics were employed when Trifolium made all for a convincing victory on heavy going at Cork and though tackling better opposition here he can once again stretch his rivals to the limit. Devils Bit needs a confidence booster and could just find the ground against him but the conditions and fast pace won't be a concern to PLAN A who won two decent races in September before finding fast going against him at Cheltenham. Gordon Elliott's charge can return to winning ways though Mister Carter would be a real threat on last season's form as though he failed to complete the course in two Grade 1's he remains a potentially useful performer.
Plan A (IRE) 9-4fav (10-12) Held up in rear, pushed along after 4th brielfy, outpaced before 3 out, no chance when jumped right and mistake 2 out, pulled up before last, in a race won by Kalann (10-12) at Cheltenham 2m 4yo hdl (2) gf in Oct, 6 ran.
Mister Carter (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, fell 4 out, in a race won by Grandouet (11-0) at Punchestown 2m 4yo hdl Grd 1 (1) gd in May, 7 ran.
Trifolium (FR) 4-9fav (11-9) Made all, clear for most, jumped well, asserted 3 out, stayed on well, very easily, won at Cork 2m mdn hdl beating Firebird Flyer (11-9) by 24l, 23 ran.
Luddenmore (IRE) 5-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, 3rd 3 out, ridden entering straight, 2nd 2 out, no extra before last, 4th of 14, 10l behind Ludo Et Emergo (11-7) at Gowran Park 2m 4yo mdn hdl sft.
Devils Bit (IRE) 20-1 (11-2) Rear of mid-division, fell 4th, in a race won by Staying Article (11-7) at Fairyhouse 2m hcp hdl sft, 15 ran.
