never better than mid-division
prominent, led under 6f out, soon briefly clear, clear of remainder with winner and strongly pressed 2f out, headed 1 1/2f out, soon no impression and kept on same pace
mid-division, closer in 5th 4f out, no impression under pressure and kept on same pace from 2f out
pushed along from early, mid-division, weakened halfway
chased leaders, went 2nd over 5f out, challenged and clear of remainder 2f out, led 1 1/2f out, stayed on well final furlong
prominent, on terms from halfway, headed under 6f out, weakened, tailed off
mid-division, closer in 7th 4f out, no impression under pressure and kept on same pace from over 2f out
soon chased leaders, 6th 4f out, ridden over 2f out, soon 4th and no impression, kept on same pace
towards rear, no impression and kept on without threatening approaching straight
chased leaders, closer in 3rd 4f out, no impression under pressure and kept on same pace from over 2f out
mid-division, closed into 8th 4f out, no impression under pressure in 3rd from 2f out, kept on
towards rear, no impression and kept on without threatening approaching straight
never better than mid-division
always towards rear, tailed off
soon led, joined from halfway, headed under 6f out, no extra from 4f out
prominent, no extra from 4f out
prominent, 4th 4f out, no impression under pressure and kept on same pace from 2f out
An intriguing contest sees the return to action of the brilliant bumper HIDDEN UNIVERSE and the high-class chaser Rare Bob and it's the former who looks a cut above these rivals. Dermot Weld's four-year-old flopped in the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham after an opening success at Leopardstown but redeemed his reputation in no uncertain terms with a subsequent success at Limerick and then taking the Champion Bumper at Punchestown where he had the very promising hurdler Oilily in second. Rare Bob didn't quite hit the heights last season after landing the Champion Novice Chase at Punchestown last April but he should soon be challenging for top honours over fences. It's unlikely he'll have the pace for this though and a much bigger danger may emerge in the shape of Greenbelt Star, a dual winning bumper who has run two very good races in decent company on the Flat over trips a little too short. Mr Clyde is another who has been going well on the level and can snatch a place at least.
Cloudesley (IRE) 9-1 (9-7) Chased leaders, moderate 4th halfway, ridden 4f out, no impression in 3rd 3f out, 5th over 2f out, kept on one pace, 5th of 8, well behind Myrine (9-2) at Ballinrobe 1m 6f mdn stks in Jul.
Cross Appeal (IRE) 9-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, headway to 4th 4f out, ridden over 2f out, 3rd 1 1/2f out, kept on to 2nd inside final furlong, not reach winner, 2nd of 9, 1 1/4l behind Big Game Hunter (9-5) at Navan 1m 5f 3yo mdn sft in May '09.
Day of Destiny (IRE) 16-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, ridden and hampered over 1f out, weakened after, 5th of 10, 5l behind Foolin Myself (9-0) at Newmarket 7f 2yo mdn (4) gd in Nov '07.
Flamenco Prince 50-1 (10-11) Chased leaders early, 10th halfway, ridden halfway, no extra and soon weakened, 16th of 18, 50l behind Dreamy Gent (11-0) at Leopardstown 1m 6f amat mdn stks gf in Jul.
Fosters Cross (IRE) 5-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders on outer, 2nd halfway, headway to lead 3f out, headed 2f out, soon no extra and dropped to moderate 3rd 1f out, 3rd of 5, 14l behind Myrine (9-6) at Wexford 2m stks gf in Aug.
Four On The Floor (IRE) 33-1 (9-3) Slowly into stride and always behind, 11th of 12, 19l behind Maal (10-2) at Sligo 1m 2f clm stks gf in Jun.
Greenbelt Star 9-2 (9-13) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, ridden entering straight, no extra in 4th 1 1/2f out, kept on same pace, 5th of 14, 5l behind Alburj (9-5) at Listowel 1m 4f 3yo & 4yo mdn in Sep.
Hidden Universe (IRE) 5-1 (11-4) Always prominent, led travelling well before straight, ridden clear from 2f out, stayed on well, comfortably, won at Punchestown 2m N H flat G1 gd in Apr beating Oilily (11-9) by 2l, 17 ran.
Magnanimity (IRE) 9-2 (11-10) Mid-division, 6th and niggled along approaching 3 out, moderate 5th and no impression from before straight, kept on without threatening from before last, 3rd of 10, 9l behind Rigour Back Bob (11-7) at Punchestown 3m Grade 3 nov hdl gd in Apr.
Mr Clyde (IRE) 3-1 (10-11) Mid-division, 8th halfway, 7th 4f out, progress into 3rd early straight, moderate 2nd and stayed on final furlong, 2nd of 15, 7l behind Cloone Rocket (11-0) at Listowel 1m 6f am stks (4yo+) in Sep.
Quartetto (GER) 33-1 (9-7) Slowly into stride, always towards rear, 7th of 8, 25l behind Fictional Account (9-2) at Down Royal 1m 5f stks gd in Sep.
Rare Bob (IRE) 12-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, 5th approaching 4 out where mistake, soon no extra and pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Planet Of Sound (11-10) at Punchestown 3m 1f chs G1 gd in Apr, 11 ran.
Rocketscience 50-1 (9-13) Soon raced in 5th, ridden over 3f out, weakened from before straight, 7th of 8, 16l behind Unaccompanied (9-0) at Galway 1m 3yo & 4yo mdn gd in Jul.
Speed Dial 50-1 (9-7) Mid-division, moderate 7th under 4f out, 5th approaching straight, kept on inside final furlong, 3rd of 14, 6l behind Raise The Rafters (9-4) at Sligo 1m 2f mdn stks in Sep.
The Studies 50-1 (9-7) Held up in rear, some progress 2f out, no impression inside final furlong, 11th of 14, 15l behind Raise The Rafters (9-4) at Sligo 1m 2f mdn stks in Sep.
Dbass Accountants (IRE) 50-1 (8-9) Always in rear, ridden and no impression over 4f out, last of 5, 31l behind Myrine (9-6) at Wexford 2m stks gf in Aug.
Ferry Point (IRE) 7-1 (10-2) Led, headed after 3f, in front again after 5f, soon clear, reduced lead under 3f out, strongly pressed and headed 1 1/2f out, soon no extra, 5th of 10, 12l behind Santa's Son (10-9) at Tramore 1m 6f mdn stks hvy in Aug '07.
Katys Girl (IRE) 25-1 (8-10) Chased leaders, 7th halfway, weakened 4f out, 12th of 15, 35l behind Penolva (8-12) at Bellewstown 1m 6f hcp 47-65 gf in Jul.
Lisselan Courtesan (IRE) 20-1 (9-2) Held up in rear, ridden over 3f out, stayed on into 4th 1f out, kept on well final furlong, 4th of 7, 5l behind Decoy Daddy (9-7) at Tramore 1m 6f mdn stks fm in Aug.
Rhythm Gold (IRE) 66-1 (8-11) Held up, moderate 7th 5f out, weakened from 3f out, 6th of 8, 21l behind Keep It Cool (9-2) at Tipperary 1m 6f stks gf in May.
