prominent, led briefly 4th, headed next, led again 3 out, ridden from next, headed before last, kept on same pace under pressure inside final furlong
always behind, detached 3rd, no impression from 3 out, never a factor
in rear when jumped left and unseated rider 1st
tracked leaders, went 2nd after 3 out, ridden to lead before last, not fluent at last, edged slightly right inside final furlong, stayed on well
mid-division, ridden and closer in 5th 2 out, 4th entering straight, kept on one paced
led, headed briefly 4th, ridden and headed 3 out, soon no impression
tracked leaders, 4th 3 out, soon ridden, 3rd entering straight, kept on same pace
always towards rear, ridden 3 out, moderate 7th next no impression
tracked leaders and took keen hold, slight mistake 2nd, headway into 3rd when mistake 5th, mistake next, ridden in 5th after 3 out, no impression
Batchelors Walk wasn't beaten far on his hurdling debut at Listowel and improved on that behind the well-backed Bay Hill at Gowran. There should be more to come and he rates a threat to all. Gold Class was only a couple of lengths behind that day on his hurdling bow so he should improve as should Lone Star, who wasn't too far behind in fifth. Canova didn't win on the Flat for Roger Charlton but Gordon Elliott will turn him into a hurdler, a remark that also applies to Mustadrik, a lightly-raced maiden on the level for the Hills family in the UK. DAI BANDO showed a bit of promise as a two-year-old but didn't race again until Roscommon last month where he was noted staying on nicely over 1m4f at Roscommon. He's a son of Montjeu who cost 180,000gns and though jumping wouldn't have been the first choice of his breeders he can start his new career with a victory.
Batchelors Walk (IRE) 9-1 (10-8) Held up towards rear, progress entering straight, ridden in 5th 2 out, went 2nd before last, kept on under pressure run-in, 2nd of 8, 2 1/4l behind Bay Hill (10-3) at Gowran Park 2m 3yo hdl.
Canova (IRE) 9-4fav (9-5) Tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, went 3rd over 2f out, one pace, 3rd of 8, 7l behind Greyemkay (8-8) at Ffos Las 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Aug (flat).
Cookie Ring (IRE) 14-1 (8-12) Dwelt, towards rear, ridden to go 7th and no impression 1f out, kept on same pace, 9th of 15, 5l behind Hilary (9-9) at Bellewstown 1m hcp 47-65 sft in Aug (flat).
Dai Bando (IRE) 16-1 (9-5) Mid-division, 6th halfway, pushed along to go 4th 2f out, kept on one pace into 3rd final 100 yards, 3rd of 14, 6l behind A Greater Force (9-5) at Roscommon 1m 4f mdn stks gd in Sep (flat).
Douman (USA) 50-1 (10-8) In rear, some progress into 4th on outer after 3 out, soon ridden, last when mistake 2 out, weakened, last of 8, 22l behind Bay Hill (10-3) at Gowran Park 2m 3yo hdl.
Gold Class 20-1 (10-8) Mid-division on inner early, slight mistake 4th and pushed along briefly in rear, ridden in 7th 2 out, went 4th at last, kept on without threatening, 4th of 8, 5l behind Bay Hill (10-3) at Gowran Park 2m 3yo hdl.
Lone Star (IRE) 7-1 (10-8) Tracked leaders, 4th entering straight, ridden in 4th 2 out, bumped slightly on outer after 2 out, kept on under hands and heels run-in, 5th of 8, 10l behind Bay Hill (10-3) at Gowran Park 2m 3yo hdl.
Mustadrik (USA) 4-1 (9-7) Tracked leaders, effort over 2f out, kept on same pace approaching final furlong, 5th of 12, 2 3/4l behind Khee Society (9-5) at Bath 1m 3yo hcp 0-65 (6) gs in May (flat).
Too Many Diamonds (IRE) 33-1 (8-5) Led, joined 4f out, headed entering straight, no extra over 1f out, 10th of 13, 10l behind Tight Times (9-2) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp 47-65 pol (flat).
