steadied start, held up in 4th, mistake 8th, 3rd on long run before 4 out, went 2nd next, not fluent 2 out, no chance with easy winner
led, not fluent 3rd, reached for 9th, pushed along headed and faltered briefly before 4 out, lost 2nd 4 out, mistake next, plugged on in 3rd
tracked leaders in 3rd on inside, mistake 8th, switched left and went 2nd after 9th, led before 4 out, came clear next, mistake last, heavily eased final 100 yards
chased leader until pushed along after 9th, soon outpaced and beaten
NonRunner
Raya Time is readily preferred to the other Irish import Battle Of Actiu, despite shouldering top weight, but it is probably about time GOLDEN TAIPAN was winning one of these. Fergal O’Brien’s novice had four lengths to spare over Flashing Glance here just over two weeks ago and is only a pound worse off. Storm Rising has flattered to deceive over fences.
Raya Time (FR) 18-1 (11-3) Jumped right 1st, slow 2nd and rear, weakened before 3 out, tailed off, 16th of 20, dist behind Abbey Magic (11-9) at Galway 2m 2f hcp gd in Jul.
Flashing Glance 17-2 (11-8) Held up behind leaders, not fluent, blundered badly 12th, closed before 4 out, mistake and weakened 3 out, 4th of 5, 14l behind Runswick Bay (10-7) at Ludlow 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Golden Taipan (IRE) 3-1 (11-0) Not always fluent, chased leaders, slightly outpaced 12th, switched left and closed next, every chance 3 out, 3rd and held last, 3rd of 5, 10l behind Runswick Bay (10-7) at Ludlow 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Battle Of Actium (IRE) 11-4 (12-0) Chased leaders, 2nd at 4th, on terms before 6th, headed next, pushed along before 3 out, challenged when not fluent 2 out, ridden and no impression last, dropped to 3rd 1f out, no extra in 4th inside final furlong, kept on one pace under pressure, 4th of 10, 5 1/4l behind Corran Cross (12-0) at Downpatrick 2m 3f gd in Aug.
Storm Rising (IRE) 40-1 (10-0) Chased leaders out wide, mistake and bumped 6th, lost place when mistake 8th, tailed off next, pulled up 2 out, at Stratford 2m 3f hcp (2) gd in Aug.
