made most, briefly headed and ridden 2 out, regained lead before last, stayed on strongly run-in, comfortably
always last, weakened from 3 out
tracked leader in 2nd, improved to dispute lead and ridden 2 out, headed before last, no impression on winner run-in
raced 3rd, improved to dispute lead on outer 2 out, soon ridden, headed entering straight, weakened before last
Ireland's Call looks the only one of this quartet out of it though official ratings point firmly to the chances of AITMATOV. A Grade 1 winner in 2007, he has been successful in Listed and Grade 2 class subsequently and though penalised for his latest success at Navan last November his recent return behind stablemate Donnas Palm at Tipperary was a fine effort. Jigalo landed a very tough handicap here in April and has been in fine form over fences recently. The 10lbs he receives from the likely favourite will be a big help and he's more likely to appreciate a slowly-run race than Noel Meade's charge. The youngster Leblon is a great credit to connections and if this turned into a tactical affair his Flat speed would make him difficult to beat.
Aitmatov (GER) 12-1 (11-10) Led, ridden and headed entering straight, capitalised on winner's mistake at last and led early run-in, headed and no extra close home, 2nd of 6, 1 1/4l behind Donnas Palm (11-10) at Tipperary 2m hdl G2 (1).
Ireland's Call (IRE) 25-1 (11-12) Mid-division best, 10th 6 out, no extra from next, fell last, in a race won by Erritt Lake (11-12) at Thurles 2m 2f beg chs gd, 15 ran.
Leblon (IRE) 6-1 (10-10) Tracked leaders, progress to lead after 3 out, ridden and headed after next, disputed lead briefly early run-in, kept on same pace in 2nd inside final furlong, 2nd of 15, 1/2l behind Sword Fish (9-11) at Listowel 2m 4yo hcp hdl gd in Sep.
Jigalo (IRE) 5-2fav (10-4) Held up towards rear, improved into 6th halfway, went 2nd travelling well approaching 3 out, led before next, soon clear, very easily, won at Gowran Park 2m 1f chs beating Banna Man (10-5) by 3 1/2l, 10 ran.
