prominent, disputed until headed 4th, not fluent 6th, mistake 8th, pushed along when not fluent 3 out, ridden and no impression after next, kept on one pace
prominent, slight mistake 1st, disputed until led 4th, made rest, went on travelling well after 4 out, 6 lengths clear when mistake 2 out, kept on well, comfortably
always behind, soon detached, no danger from halfway, never a factor
BALLYADAM won the Grade 1 Royal Bond over timber at Fairyhouse in November before seeing the back of Appreciate It in three subsequent Grade 1's. He's a high-class recruit to chasing as is last year's Irish Cesarewitch winner Cape Gentleman, a Grade 2 winner over timber and fresh from a superb run in the Galway Hurdle. Buddy Rich has a fitness and experience advantage over the pair of them having run up against a couple of smart performers in his two starts over fences though that could be the case again. The remaining trio will all need to find extra in what should be an informative contest.
Ballyadam (IRE) 11-4 (11-4) Raced keenly, tracked leaders, disputing 2nd from 3rd, led 4 out, headed 3 out, weakened next, 4th of 12, dist behind My Drogo (11-4) at Aintree 2m 4f (1) gs in Apr.
Buddy Rich (IRE) 15-8 (12-0) Chased leader in 2nd, pushed along to challenge from 3 out and improved to dispute lead from next, ridden and headed from last, no extra and kept on same pace close home, 2nd of 6, 2 1/4l behind Dancing On My Own (12-0) at Killarney 2m 1f Yielding - Soft in Oct.
Cape Gentleman (IRE) 6-1fav (10-9) Chased leaders on outer and 5th from halfway, pushed along from 2 out and improved to lead from last, soon ridden and headed, no extra and dropped to 3rd close home, 3rd of 20, 2 1/4l behind Saldier (11-10) at Galway 2m hcp gd in Jul.
Guido Reni (IRE) 14-1 (12-0) Mid-division, 6th halfway, ridden and no impression after 3 out, kept on one pace, 7th of 18, 13 1/4l behind Tullyveery Lad (11-11) at Gowran Park 2m 4f hcp gd in Oct.
Hannon (IRE) 22-1 (8-7) Led early, prominent and 3rd halfway, pushed along and disputed lead briefly entering straight, 4th over 2f out, no extra over 1f out, weakened, 20th of 30, 19 1/4l behind Line Out (8-9) at Curragh 2m hcp Yielding in Oct.
Magnium (IRE) 16-1 (12-0) Raced mainly in 3rd, no impression before 3 out and kept on same pace from next, 3rd of 6, 28 1/4l behind Dancing On My Own (12-0) at Killarney 2m 1f Yielding - Soft in Oct.
