disputed lead early, headed from 2nd, dropped to 4th from 5th, under pressure from 3 out, 2nd approaching straight, no impression from before 2 out, one pace
in rear, pushed along from 6th, not fluent next, soon under pressure, some headway to chase leaders approaching straight, soon no impression, slight mistakes last 2, one pace
disputed lead early, led from 2nd, joined 5th, headed from 3 out, dropped to last from before straight, no extra and eased run-in
tracked leaders, a little keen, closed up from 4th, on terms next, led from 3 out, asserted from before next, stayed on well, easily
tracked leaders, soon 3rd, not fluent on inner 3 out, soon pushed along and dropped to 4th, 3rd again and no impression straight, one pace
Some very smart hurdlers have won this over the years. Bayan would have an obvious chance but was the likely favourite in the 6.20 at Cork last night. Gordon Elliott has an alternative with Taglietelle, who has had a couple of runs on the Flat since landing a Grade 3 handicap at Aintree in April. Darwins Fox was just beaten by the classy Simenon in this a year ago and has been going very well over fences as has Rawnaq, though he's reverted to hurdles for his two latest starts and will enjoy the quick conditions more than most. Thousand Stars produced yet another brilliant effort in France last time but he's always enjoyed plenty of cut in the ground so this can go to his stablemate DIAKALI. He's been off the track since last June but his earlier form, including when a close third behind The New One in the Grade 1 Aintree Hurdle, entitles him to the vote.
Thousand Stars (FR) 14-1 (10-10) 2nd of 15, 10l behind Un Temps Pour Tout (10-10) at Auteuil(FR) 3m 1f hdl G1 hvy in Jun.
Taglietelle 7-1 (11-6) Towards rear, headway on inner before 3 out, challenged last, led run-in, just held on, won at Aintree 3m hcp hdl Grade 3 (1) gs in Apr beating Call The Cops (11-6) by hd, 21 ran.
Darwins Fox (FR) 13-2 (11-6) Tracked leaders, 5th after 2nd, 3rd approaching straight, chased winner from between last 2, kept on without troubling winner run-in,, 2nd of 10, 2 1/2l behind Savello (11-7) at Punchestown 2m 2f chs 0-150 gd in Jun.
Diakali (FR) 5-2fav (10-5) 4th of 13, 16l behind Gemix (10-10) at Auteuil(FR) 3m 1f hdl G1 sft in Jun '14.
Mrs Mac Veale (IRE) 20-1 (11-2) Not fluent 1st, held up, hampered after 4th, under pressure in 7th approaching straight, one pace,, 7th of 15, 24l behind Lucky Pat (10-7) at Punchestown 2m hcp hdl gd in Jun.
Lean And Keen (IRE) 16-1 (11-10) Held up, took keen hold, mistake 6th, no impression when badly hampered 2 out, no extra,, 11th of 15, well behind Lucky Pat (10-7) at Punchestown 2m hcp hdl gd in Jun.
Bayan (IRE) 11-10fav (11-5) Chased leader in share of 2nd, not fluent 3rd, mistake 4th, dropped to 3rd after 4 out, ridden before 2 out and briefly went 2nd, 3rd after 2 out, not fluent last and kept on run-in without matching front two, 3rd of 5, 2 1/4l behind Rawnaq (10-13) at Down Royal 2m 4f hdl gd in Jun.
Rawnaq (IRE) 7-1 (11-3) Soon prominent, slight mistake 3rd, 2nd from 5th, led 6th, pressed 2 out, kept on well run-in, headed close home, 2nd of 14, nk behind Tempo Mac (9-5) at Bellewstown 2m 1f hcp hdl gf.
