chased leaders, not fluent 5th, ridden after 3 out, weakened before 2 out
chased leaders, not fluent 1st, went 2nd 3rd, not fluent 5th, mistake 3 out, challenged last, every chance flat, 3rd and no extra inside final 100 yards
made all, hard pressed from last, stayed on very gamely and in command inside final 100 yards
chased winner until 3rd, not fluent next, outpaced after 3 out, weakened well before 2 out, tailed off
held up towards rear, jumped left and not fluent 1st, headway after 3 out, not much room when trying to challenge before last, every chance flat, held inside final 100 yards
not always fluent, always in rear, well behind 3 out, tailed off
held up in mid-division, slow and lost place 2nd, well behind 5th, tailed off
held up in mid-division, took keen hold, outpaced after 3 out, soon weakened
Though beaten on the Flat at Cork subsequently, OUR BOY WES (NAP) was impressive on his hurdling debut at Ballinrobe and looks the one to be on in this. Two Past Eight is 7lb better off than when beaten two lengths by Vitani at Stratford in July and has since defied a penalty at Fontwell. He has the beating of Balboa on collateral form but Ironopolis was last of three at Perth. Max Of Stars has already run five times but is battle-hardened having raced against older horses in handicaps the last twice and his attacking style will be too much for some of these.
Two Past Eight Evensfav (11-7) Led, headed before 3rd, pressed leader 3 out where not fluent, soon ridden and headway to lead, 2 lengths ahead 2 out, extended advantage approaching last, kept on well run-in, edged right close home but always in control, won at Fontwell 2m 2f (4) gd in Sep beating Grain Of Hope (10-7) by 9 1/2l, 4 ran.
Our Boy Wes 2-1fav (9-12) Prominent early before soon settling behind leaders on inner, 4th halfway, pushed along over 2f out and soon ridden, no extra from over 1f out and soon weakened, 7th of 9, 6 3/4l behind Ameerat Jumaira (9-13) at Cork 1m 4f gd in Aug.
Max Of Stars (FR) 6-4fav (10-8) Made all, increased tempo home turn, well clear last, ran on well, won at Stratford 2m hcp (4) gd in Sep beating Gavin (11-8) by 14l, 6 ran.
Vitani 12-1 (10-4) 7th of 8, dist behind Sissi Du Mesnil (10-6) at Auteuil 2m 2f lst hvy in Sep.
Balboa 2-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, not fluent 5th, headway before 2 out, soon ridden, 3rd and no extra when not fluent last, 3rd of 7, 17 1/2l behind Gifted Angel (11-5) at Cartmel 2m 1f (4) gs in Aug.
Finn Russell (IRE) 50-1 (9-1) Raced wide, in touch, pushed along over 3f out, weakened 2f out, last of 12, 21 1/2l behind Panning For Gold (9-7) at Southwell 1m hcp (5) pol in Aug.
Ironopolis (IRE) 15-2 (11-0) Tracked front pair, not fluent 3 out and outpaced, soon pushed along, stayed on one pace, never a danger, last of 3, 4 3/4l behind Kyogo (11-0) at Perth 2m (4) sft in Sep.
Northern Rose (IRE) 33-1 (8-12) Always behind, 10th of 14, 12 1/4l behind The Pug (9-8) at Southwell 1m 3f hcp (6) pol in Sep.
