led, joined 7th, headed after 4 out, dropped to 3rd before straight, soon no impression under pressure and kept on same pace
soon raced in 3rd, 2nd before straight, challenged and on terms 2 out, led before last, eased on to assert run-in
soon raced in 4th, no impression under pressure 3 out, kept on without threatening
tracked leader, on terms 7th, led after 4 out, strongly pressed and joined 2 out, narrowly headed before last, kept on without matching winner run-in
in touch last of the 5, no impression and kept on same pace from 3 out
A decent turnout for the money but AITMATOV stands out. Noel Meade's charge, who has a dozen career victories under his belt, landed a Grade 2 at Navan on his reappearance a year ago and though not quite matching that performance on his return at Tipperary early this month, his close second to stablemate Donna's Palm over a trip much too short is the best form on view here. Silverhand is in top form and should prove a worthy opponent as he bolted up at Galway in August having also scored there the previous month. There's more to come from him and he can snatch second spot from Askanna, still unbeaten after victories between the flags, in a bumper and two hurdles events. She'll need to make further progress against these but Elysian Rock will have come on for his recent run at Navan, his first since scoring over the C&D in January.
Elysian Rock 14-1 (11-10) Mid-division, moderate 6th 4 out, moderate 4th next, soon no extra, 7th of 12, 22l behind Sivota (11-1) at Navan 2m 6f hdl sft in Sep.
Silverhand (IRE) 1-3fav (11-0) Raced towards rear in 4th, 3rd before 3 out, good jump next to go 2nd travelling best, led into straight, stayed on well run-in, not extended, easily, won at Galway 2m 4f hdl gf in Aug beating One Cool Tornado (11-6) by 3 1/2l, 5 ran.
Bruach Na Mara (IRE) 50-1 (11-4) Towards rear, some headway and no impression from before 3 out, kept on same pace, 7th of 13, 23l behind One Cool Tornado (11-7) at Listowel 2m 4f nh nov hdl gd in Sep.
Killyglen (IRE) 22-1 (11-12) Chased leader, left in lead 4th, headed after 11th, pushed along approaching 17th, soon weakened, pulled up 18th, in a race won by Merigo (10-0) at Ayr 4m hcp chs G3 (1) gd in Apr, 30 ran.
Lady Of Synone (IRE) 25-1 (11-7) Rear of mid-division, kept on from 3 out without threatening, 9th of 19, 39l behind Cool Oscar (11-5) at Gowran Park 2m 4f mdn hdl.
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).
Askanna (IRE) 4-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, 6th halfway, improved into 3rd 3 out, soon challenged and led after next, wandered about and pressed from before last, kept on well, won at Gowran Park 2m 4f hdl beating Tilabay (11-5) by 1/2l, 11 ran.
