held up, 6th 4 out, moderate 4th 2 out, one pace
held up in rear, smooth progress before 4 out, close 2nd after 3 out, ridden to lead before 2 out, wandered about approaching last, headed run-in, rallied near finish
blundered and almost unseated rider 1st, 5th halfway, mistake and reminders 5 out, one pace from next
jumped well, settled in 4th, 3rd 5 out, 2nd before 4 out, close up and ridden after 2 out, led after last, all out to hold on near finish
close up, led briefly at 4th, 2nd and ridden after 5 out, weakened from 3 out, trailing when jumped badly left at last, tailed off
led, ridden 4 out, headed and dropped to 3rd before 2 out, no extra
tracked leaders, bad mistake 5th, soon behind, trailing from 4 out, tailed off
The chasing debut of MUIRHEAD has been long awaited and Noel Meade's superb hurdler could go all the way to the top of the novice chase ladder. Despite having not won a race since landing the Grade 1 Royal Bond Novice Hurdle at Fairyhouse in December '07, he has remained at the peak of the hurdling scene finishing runner-up in three Grade 1's behind Brave Inca, Solwhit, and Khyber Kim at Aintree in March. Coolavanny Gaffer, a dual winner between the flags, has been in good form over hurdles and his sound jumping should stand him in good stead but Hans Crescent appears to like plenty of give and may find the ground a bit lively. Dromore Express is still a maiden after 19 starts and Wellforth has shown only moderate form in two runs over fences.
Borrowaddy (IRE) 16-1 (11-12) Always towards rear, behind when pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Pay The Bounty (11-9) at Gowran Park 2m 4f beg chs, 17 ran.
Coolavanny Gaffer (IRE) 10-3fav (10-3) Held up towards rear, headway into 7th 5 out, improved to 2nd 3 out, disputed entering straight, led 2 out, ridden and headed after last, no extra run-in, kept on same pace, 3rd of 18, 1 1/4l behind Lough Ferrib (11-1) at Listowel 3m hcp hdl in Sep.
Dromore Express (IRE) 10-1 (11-12) Chased leader, 2nd halfway, improved to lead 5 out, strongly pressed, ridden and headed after 3 out, no extra in 5th 2 out, left 4th, kept on one pace, 4th of 16, 13l behind Island Wood (11-12) at Tipperary 2m 4f beg chs.
Muirhead (IRE) 20-1 (11-12) Led, joined at 3rd, headed 3 out, dropped to 4th and no extra approaching straight, kept on one pace, 5th of 11, 14l behind Hurricane Fly (11-12) at Punchestown 2m hdl G1 gd in Apr.
Topo Gigio (FR) 33-1 (11-12) Always behind, 11th of 17, well behind Realt Dubh (11-12) at Navan 2m 4f beg chs sft in Sep.
Wellforth (IRE) 8-1 (11-5) Towards rear for most, never a factor, kept on same pace from 3 out, 6th of 9, 10l behind AHorseCalledMolly (11-12) at Fairyhouse 3m beg chs gf.
Hans Crescent (FR) 8-1 (11-12) Mid-division, 6th 4 out, no impression from early straight, beaten in 5th when mistake last, 5th of 11, 27l behind Askanna (11-2) at Gowran Park 2m 4f hdl.
