led, raced on inner, joined approaching 4th, soon led again, closely pressed before 2 out, went on from before straight, soon asserted and stayed on well
in touch in rear, slight mistake 6th, improved to be prominent when slight mistake 2 out, chased winner into straight, kept on same pace from before last
prominent, slightly slow 2nd, on terms approaching 4th, soon headed, slightly slow 6th, closed up approaching 2 out, no impression into straight, no extra last
soon chased leaders, slightly slow 2nd, 4th halfway, slight mistakes 3 out and 2 out, last approaching straight and no impression, moderate 4th at last, kept on without threatening run-in
soon chased leaders, 3rd halfway, slight mistake 3 out, chased winner on outer into straight, kept on same pace from before last
held up in touch, 5th halfway, closed up approaching 2 out to be prominent, no impression into straight, no extra last
This is a tricky course, especially when the ground is testing, so the recent track and trip winners PRESENTING MAHLER and Eight Till Late should have an edge. The pair fought out a desperate finish here last month when the latter just prevailed. He's 1lb worse off which shouldn't make much of a difference but the selection showed his liking for very testing conditions at Listowel subsequently and is taken to reverse the form. Voices Of Spring makes his handicap debut over fences though hasn't really been showing enough to consider but Cnoc Na Sioga ran his best race for some time when a close fourth at Galway last week and would be a threat if producing a repeat performance.
Pumbaa (IRE) 20-1 (11-2) Led, joined from 5th, headed before 3 out, soon dropped to 4th and no impression, weakened from 2 out, last of 5, 34 3/4l behind The Game Changer (11-2) at Ballinrobe 2m 1f Yielding - Soft in Aug.
Eight Till Late (IRE) 10-1 (11-3) Chased leaders, slight mistake 5th, 4th halfway, slight mistake 4 out, improved into 2nd 3 out, ridden before 2 out where slight mistake, no impression on leader before last, kept on same pace, lost 2nd close home, 3rd of 15, 5l behind Runyon Rattler (10-12) at Bellewstown 2m 4f hcp gd in Aug.
Presenting Mahler (IRE) 3-1jfav (9-11) Disputed lead, headed 3rd, 2nd from 6th, gained narrow lead before 2 out, slight mistake last, stayed on well run-in, won at Listowel 2m 1f hcp hvy in Sep beating Tulpar (9-10) by 2 1/4l, 7 ran.
Voices Of Spring (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Rear of mid-division, pushed along after 3 out and no impression after next, went moderate 4th last, no extra, 4th of 9, 22 1/2l behind Delegate (11-12) at Sligo 2m 1f Yielding - Soft in Aug.
Crazywork De Vassy (FR) 66-1 (11-12) Held up, ridden in 9th entering straight, no impression in 8th 3 out, no extra before next, kept on one pace, 6th of 13, 27l behind Product Of Love (11-12) at Killarney 2m 1f gd in Aug.
Cnoc Na Sioga (IRE) 14-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, progress into 5th before 2 out, ridden in 4th entering straight, stayed on to dispute 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, 4th and held close home, 4th of 8, 2l behind Fenlon's Hill (11-6) at Galway 2m 2f hcp sft in Sep.
