always towards rear, ridden 4 out, last and bad mistake 2 out, no impression
held up behind leaders, 5th halfway, ridden and weakened from 3 out, pulled up before last
tracked leaders, went 3rd at 5th, headway to lead travelling well after 2 out, stayed on strongly run-in, not extended
led, ridden and strongly pressed 2 out, headed after 2 out, moderate 2nd at last, no extra in 3rd early run-in
tracked leaders, 4th halfway, ridden from 3 out, soon no impression
tracked leader in 2nd, ridden and dropped to 3rd after 2 out, no impression in moderate 3rd entering straight, went moderate 2nd after last, not trouble winner
Kilford completed a double on heavy ground in the spring though over much longer trips before being outclassed in much better company including the Irish Grand National. Pumbaa is slowly making his way back after a long absence and will enjoy the ground better than most though he wouldn't have beaten DRAYCOTT PLACE (NAP) at Listowel last time if the latter, who can gain compensation here, hadn't have fallen at the second last. The Black Russian is worth another try over fences after an easy victory over hurdles at Ballinrobe last week. His ability to handle this sort of ground is unknown though he's looking reasonably handicapped at present. Ballyfinboy was in very good form in the summer, scoring at Downpatrick from 4lb lower, but he's gone right off the boil in his last three starts. Sean Airgead is 4lb out of the handicap and has been running poorly in the UK.
Kilford (IRE) 25-1 (10-8) Prominent early, soon chased leaders, 4th halfway, slight mistake 6 out, lost place next, towards rear and ridden 4 out, soon no extra, weakened entering straight and pulled up before last, at Punchestown 3m 1f hcp Good - Yielding in Apr.
Pumbaa (IRE) 8-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, soon 4th, mistake 8th, slightly impeded 3 out, 3rd into straight, left chasing winner from 2 out, kept on without getting there run-in, 2nd of 5, 4l behind Kylecrue (11-2) at Listowel 2m 4f Soft - Heavy in Sep.
Draycott Place (IRE) 9-2 (11-2) Soon chased leader in 2nd, travelling smoothly straight, almost on terms when bad mistake and unseated rider 2 out, at Listowel 2m 4f Soft - Heavy in Sep.
The Black Russian (IRE) 7-1 (10-12) Made all, ridden before last, kept on strongly run-in, won at Ballinrobe 2m hcp sft in Sep beating Runyon Rattler (11-4) by 7l, 11 ran.
Ballyfinboy (IRE) 16-1 (9-13) Chased leaders, slightly impeded 4th, 7th from 6th, pushed along 9th, no impression approaching straight, soon no extra, pulled up before last, at Navan 2m 4f hcp Yielding in Sep.
Sean Airgead (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, mistake and reminders after 7th, soon behind, tailed off 4 out, 6th of 7, dist behind Ballycool (11-8) at Bangor 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in Aug.
