made all, soon clear, extended lead to 10 lengths before halfway, reduced advantage approaching 2 out, ridden and stretched clear again before last, stayed on strongly run-in
chased clear leader in 2nd, clear of remainder, closer approaching 2 out, driven along and no impression entering straight, kept on one pace from before last but no chance with winner
always rear and never a factor, moderate 6th after 3 out, kept on one pace in straight
mainly moderate 4th, 3rd briefly 4 out, 5th and no extra after next
chased clear leaders, mainly moderate 3rd, closer approaching 2 out, soon driven along and no extra, kept on one pace in straight
raced in moderate 5th on inner, closer in 4th approaching 2 out, no extra entering straight, kept on one pace
held up towards rear, fell 4th
always behind, trailing from 2 out
towards rear, some headway in 6th when fell 3 out
Orsippus, Barizan and CARLITO BRIGANTE are old friends and there is very little between them on the balance of form in top juvenile grade. The former, who was third behind Sanctuaire in the Fred Winter, had earlier been beaten twice by Carlito Brigante at Musselburgh but came good at Aintree when mugging the front-running Barizan on the run-in when contesting the Grade 1 Matalan Novices' Hurdle. The selection didn't appear to appreciate Cheltenham's undulations when only fourth behind Soldatino and Barizan in the Triumph and will be much more at home on this level track. It's difficult to evaluate the form of Sweet My Lord, a former French bumper winner who was having only his second start for Willie Mullins when landing a Cork maiden though he wouldn't be running here without some sort of chance. Fingal Rock landed a Grade 3 at Fairyhouse on only her second start over timber and though the bare form wouldn't be good enough there is plenty of improvement in the daughter of Rock Of Gibraltar.
Barizan (IRE) 9-2 (11-0) Led, ridden after 2 out, challenged last, headed inside final furlong, one pace, 2nd of 11, 3 1/2l behind Orsippus (11-0) at Aintree 2m 4yo nov hdl G1 (1) gd.
Carlito Brigante (IRE) 7-2fav (11-0) Prominent in main group, outpaced 2 out, soon ridden, stayed on to go 4th flat, no impression, 4th of 17, 12l behind Soldatino (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 1f 4yo nov hdl G1 (1) gd in Mar.
Cross Appeal (IRE) 4-1 (11-7) 3rd on inner, 4th halfway, lost place after 3 out, 6th approaching 2 out, kept on same pace, 4th of 9, 12l behind Fingal Rock (10-9) at Fairyhouse 2m 4yo hdl Grd 3 hvy.
Gilded Age 28-1 (11-0) Mid-division, headway on outside to chase leaders after 3 out, ridden next, lost place approaching last, 6th of 17, 16l behind Soldatino (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 1f 4yo nov hdl G1 (1) gd in Mar.
Loch Long (IRE) 16-1 (10-13) Prominent, raced keenly, lost place approaching 3out, no impression after, 9th of 24, 18l behind Sanctuaire (11-2) at Cheltenham 2m Juvenile Novice Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3) (4yo) (1) gd in Mar.
Orsippus (USA) 40-1 (11-0) Held up mid-midivision, pushed along approaching 3 out, ridden approaching 3rd last ommitted hurdle, headway 2 out, led inside final furlong, kept on well, won at Aintree 2m 4yo nov hdl G1 (1) gd beating Barizan (11-0) by 3 1/2l, 11 ran.
Sweet My Lord (FR) 4-6fav (11-7) Always prominent, led from 4 out, very bad mistake and almost unseated rider next, rider without irons, ridden to lead again last, stayed on well run-in, won at Cork 2m 4yo mdn hdl hvy beating Northern Rocker (11-7) by 2 1/2l, 15 ran.
Ambitious Fan (FR) 12-1 (10-0) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, headway in 3rd 3 out, ridden in 2nd entering straight, no extra in 5th 2 out, kept on one pace, 5th of 14, 34l behind For Bill (11-0) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f mrs nov hdl G3 hvy.
Fingal Rock (IRE) 4-1 (10-9) Held up in touch, progress into 6th 3 out, 2nd and challenged when not fluent 2 out, led before last, driven out to assert close home, comfortably, won at Fairyhouse 2m 4yo hdl Grd 3 hvy beating Big Game Hunter (11-0) by 1 1/4l, 9 ran.
