mid-division, 8th 5f out, no impression approaching straight
mid-division, 10th before halfway, no impression from over 4f out
prominent, 4th 5f out, 6th over 4f out, soon no impression
chased leaders, 3rd approaching straight, soon no impression under pressure, kept on same pace
towards rear for most, never a factor
towards rear, progress 5f out, 7th over 4f out, soon no impression
slowly into stride, soon tracked leaders, no extra from over 4f out
prominent, travelling well in 2nd approaching straight, kept on under pressure without matching winner from 2f out
dwelt, soon mid-division, close up before halfway, no extra approaching straight
tracked leaders, 4th approaching straight, soon no impression, kept on same pace under pressure
soon led, niggled along over 4f out, pressed and stayed on well under pressure straight
never better than mid-division
mid-division, 7th 5f out, no impression approaching straight, kept on same pace
always towards rear
never better than mid-division
The Bull Hayes won this a year ago when odds-on but it was a much less competitive affair than this. The veteran Church Island is no doubt warming up for another crack at Sandown's bet365 while classy hurdler Luska Lad's close third to Hurricane Fly in Leopardstown's Grade 1 Festival Hurdle is now looking a tremendous run. The high-class chaser Osana has always had plenty of pace so it would be no surprise to see a good performance from him while the progressive Pittoni returned to form at Leopardstown in September. Dermot Weld has GALILEO'S CHOICE entered in a Group 3 next month and he's also in the Irish St Leger. He hasn't run for almost a year but his overall form on the Flat entitles him to the selection and he can start making up for lost time. Gift From The Sea may prove the biggest threat as she won easily on her racecourse debut at Roscommon in September.
Cloone Rocket (IRE) 14-1 (8-8) Prominent, 3rd 6f out, ridden and weakened entering straight, 17th of 23, 31l behind Bright Horizon (8-7) at Curragh 2m ext hcp in Sep.
Hans Crescent (FR) 25-1 (9-3) Rear of mid-division for most, ridden and no impression 3f out, 14th of 15, 27l behind Genesi (9-3) at Listowel 1m 6f hcp 50-80 in Sep.
Keep It Cool (IRE) 25-1 (10-1) Towards rear for most, never a factor, 13th of 20, 36l behind Admiral Barry (10-1) at Galway 2m am hcp 70-100 in Jul.
The Bull Hayes (IRE) 25-1 (9-9) Mid-division, 10th halfway, weakened from 4f out, eased under 2f out, tailed off, 22nd of 23, well behind Bright Horizon (8-7) at Curragh 2m ext hcp in Sep.
Bluebell Rock (IRE) 20-1 (9-1) 8th of 14, 4 1/2l behind Connyella (9-5) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp 47-65 pol in Oct.
Cashelgar (IRE) 7-2fav (9-8) Tracked leaders in 3rd, ridden 3f out, no impression straight, no extra from over 1f out, 6th of 10, 17l behind Await The Dawn (9-1) at Leopardstown 1m 2f Grp 3 (1) gf in Sep.
Church Island (IRE) 33-1 (10-9) 5th of 16, 7l behind Career Move (10-6) at Galway 1m 6f stks hvy in Oct '08.
Galileo's Choice (IRE) 9-2fav (10-0) Chased leaders, 8th before straight, under pressure in 5th over 1f out, soon no impression and kept on same pace, 5th of 16, 4l behind Vivacious Vivienne (8-5) at Curragh 1m 4f hcap gf in May.
Luska Lad (IRE) 6-4 (11-10) Led, challenged 2 out where mistake, soon headed and ridden, no extra and kept on same pace from before last, 2nd of 3, 3 1/2l behind Dunguib (11-12) at Gowran Park 2m hdl G2 (1) hvy in Feb.
Osana (FR) (10-1) Tracked leader, led 2f out, ran on strongly, won at Longchamp(FR) 1m 4f stk gd in Sep '06 beating Onnix (10-1) by 2l, 13 ran.
Pittoni (IRE) 7-4fav (9-7) Chased leaders, hampered after 2f, 5th halfway, 4th 3f out, ridden in 5th and no extra 2f out, weakened, 11th of 21, 37l behind What A Charm (9-2) at Leopardstown 2m hcp sft in Oct.
Under The Arch (USA) 20-1 (11-12) Mid-division, ridden and no impression 3 out, 12th of 20, 26l behind Bagber (11-12) at Gowran Park 2m mdn hdl hvy in Mar.
Gift From The Sea 14-1 (9-0) Rear of mid-division, 10th approaching straight, good headway under 2f out, ridden to challenge and lead inside final furlong, stayed on well to draw clear, eased near finish, won at Roscommon 1m 4f fll mdn stks in Sep beating Dearest Girl (9-0) by 3 1/2l, 16 ran.
Aliceaneileen (IRE) 7-2fav (9-5) Attempted to make all, ridden and headed over 2f out, soon no impression, 7th of 15, 6l behind Phantasy Rock (9-2) at Killarney 1m hcp 47-60 gf in Aug.
Inch Rebel (IRE) 12-1 (10-0) Soon led, strongly pressed and headed over 2f out, weakened from over 1f out, 10th of 14, 14l behind Dark Prospect (9-9) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp (0-90) pol in Feb '10.
