led, 2 lengths clear halfway, headed before 3 out, 4th and pushed along before next, no impression when slight mistake last, kept on one pace
towards rear, closer in 7th after 4 out, soon pushed along and 6th early straight, no impression after 3 out, went moderate 5th at last, kept on one pace
tracked leaders, 5th halfway, bad mistake 6th, pushed along and no impression 3 out, no extra after next
tracked leader, 2nd halfway, led briefly when mistake 3 out, 3rd next and soon ridden, no impression on principals from before last, no extra, kept on one pace
tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, led travelling well after 3 out, pushed along after next and headed early run-in, ridden and no impression on winner, kept on one pace
always towards rear, closer 4 out, pushed along and no impression entering straight, moderate 7th after 2 out, kept on one pace run-in
tracked leaders early, dropped to 6th and reminders after 4th, pushed along approaching straight, ridden and went 2nd 2 out, led early run-in and kept on well
always towards rear, closer 4 out, pushed along and no impression approaching straight, no extra from 3 out, not fluent 2 out, weakened, tailed off
tracked leaders, 4th halfway, pushed along and lost place before 3 out, soon no extra in rear, pulled up after 2 out
FLOORING PORTER has won the Stayers' Hurdle at Cheltenham for the past two years and would probably have won this last year but for falling two out. He was narrowly beaten by Sire Du Berlais at Aintree in April but this stiffer track plays to his strengths and he can reverse the form. The latter's yard is also represented by the ultra-consistent Zanahiyr, a dual Grade 2 winner and five-times placed at the highest level. Commander Of Fleet is another from the yard and he ended his campaign winning the Coral Cup at Cheltenham having won a Grade B handicap here in December. Ashdale Bob didn't quite hit the heights last winter after a curtailed attempt at chasing but was narrowly beaten in a Grade 2 over the track and trip and again in the Champion Stayers' at Punchestown. Unbeaten in a point and a bumper Bob Olinger had a brilliant novice season over hurdles and again over fences landing Grade 1's in both though he was very lucky at Cheltenham. He obviously wasn't right on his final start at Punchestown and reverts to hurdling.
Flooring Porter (IRE) 11-8fav (11-7) Led, hard pressed 2 out, headed last, soon hung left, about 1 length down when short or room and snatched up inside final 100 yards, held after, 2nd of 8, 1 3/4l behind Sire Du Berlais (11-7) at Aintree 3m 1f (1) gs in Apr.
Sire Du Berlais (FR) 7-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, 2nd and pushed along after 2 out, ridden and no impression in 4th at last, kept on one pace run-in, 4th of 7, 4l behind Klassical Dream (11-10) at Punchestown 3m (1) Good - Yielding in Apr.
Zanahiyr (IRE) 15-8fav (11-7) Chased leaders, mistake 3rd, challenged 2 out, soon led, ridden and joined when fell last, at Aintree 2m 4f (1) gs in Apr.
Ashdale Bob (IRE) 11-2 (11-10) Held up in rear, closer in 6th 4 out, pushed along and went 4th entering straight, ridden to go 2nd before last, kept on well run-in, 2nd of 7, 1 1/4l behind Klassical Dream (11-10) at Punchestown 3m (1) Good - Yielding in Apr.
Bob Olinger (IRE) 6-5fav (11-10) Tracked leaders, jumped right at 1st, 3rd after 7th, 4th at 10th, under pressure and dropped to 6th before 4 out where not fluent, eased and pulled up before 3 out, at Punchestown 3m (1) Good - Yielding in Apr.
Commander Of Fleet (IRE) 50-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, went 2nd before the last, hit last, ridden to lead run-in, soon strongly pressed, stayed on gamely, all out, won at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (1) sft in Mar beating Fastorslow (10-13) by shd, 23 ran.
Home By The Lee (IRE) 5-2 (11-0) Tracked leader in 2nd, not fluent 7th and again 3 out, soon ridden in 3rd, switched to inner before 2 out and still every chance when short of room and ran out, at Down Royal 3m gd in Aug.
Futurum Regem (IRE) 40-1 (11-4) Mid-division on inner, pushed along after 3 out, 8th and ridden after 2 out, no extra in straight, 10th of 16, 22 1/4l behind Ballyadam Destiny (10-5) at Galway 2m 6f hcp Soft - Heavy in Oct.
Gatsby Grey (FR) 11-4 (10-7) Tracked leaders and 3rd from halfway, improved into 2nd over 3f out and ridden from 2f out, no impression and dropped to 5th inside final furlong, 5th of 14, 9 1/4l behind Spasiba (9-8) at Roscommon 1m 2f mdn sft in May.
