jumped well, tracked leaders in 3rd early, led from 4th, pushed along and joined briefly after 3 out, led 2 out, stayed on well run-in, comfortably
tracked leader in 2nd, improved to dispute lead after 3 out, not fluent when ridden and headed 2 out, no impression on winner run-in
held up off pace in 4th, pushed along in moderate 4th 2 out, ridden to go moderate 3rd after last, no impression on leaders
always last, off pace from 3rd, ridden after 3 out, no impression
led, headed and dropped to 3rd at 4th, ridden in moderate 3rd after 4 out, dropped to remote 4th after last
Samcro has been here twice, winning a bumper and a Grade 3 hurdle. However, that was a long time ago and he’s ultimately been very disappointing and takes a big drop in trip. NOTEBOOK goes best when fresh as he showed when landing a Naas Grade 3 on his reappearance last season. He ended the campaign with disappointing runs in Cheltenham and Aintree Grade 1’s but this is well within his capabilities. Bridge Native looks comfortably the best of the remainder and looks the one to take advantage if either of the principals don’t come up to scratch.
Notebook (GER) 9-2 (11-7) Gave trouble before start, mid-division, in touch 11th, struggling 4 out, well beaten next, last of 7, 36 1/4l behind Fakir D'Oudairies (11-7) at Aintree 2m 4f (1) gs in Apr.
Samcro (IRE) 22-1 (11-10) Led and disputed, mistake 4th and headed, chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden and no extra before 2 out, 16th of 22, dist behind Royal Rendezvous (11-5) at Galway 2m 7f hcp gd in Jul.
Bridge Native (IRE) 10-1 (11-5) In touch, mistake at 3rd, dropped to 6th after 6th, 7th 4 out, not fluent 3 out, weakened 2 out, 7th of 10, 25l behind Poseidon (10-9) at Cork 2m 2f hcp gd in Oct.
Make My Heart Fly (IRE) 7-2 (11-8) Held up towards rear, slow 2nd, moderate 4th when slight mistake 3 out, ridden entering straight, no impression in 3rd after 2 out, kept on one pace, 2nd close home, 2nd of 6, 9l behind Kitty Galore (11-5) at Clonmel 2m 2f hvy in Oct.
Kitty Galore (IRE) 12-1 (11-5) Made all, soon clear, 15 lengths clear when slight mistake 6th, not fluent next, reduced lead 8th, briefly pressed entering straight, went on again before 2 out, stayed on strongly, readily, won at Clonmel 2m 2f hvy in Oct beating Make My Heart Fly (11-8) by 9l, 6 ran.
