always towards rear
chased leaders travelling well, closed before 4 out, 3rd next, 2nd into straight, challenged and led from 2 out, soon clear, stayed on well, comfortably
chased leaders, went 2nd approaching 4 out, led after 3 out, strongly pressed and headed from next, soon no impression and kept on same pace
mid-division, closed into 3rd before 4 out, 5th next, 4th after 3 out, no extra into straight
soon disputed lead, 2nd at 4th, ridden approaching 4 out, soon weakened and pulled up before 2 out
towards rear, no impression from before 3 out
rear of mid-division, went moderate 7th after 3 out, soon no impression and kept on
led and disputed, clear of remainder, led 4th, headed after 3 out, soon no extra
mid-division, 7th before 4 out, soon weakened and pulled up before 2 out
held up, closer in 6th before 4 out, 5th after next, kept on same pace under pressure in moderate 3rd approaching last
towards rear, 9th before 4 out, soon no impression
chased leaders, ridden in 5th approaching 5 out, 4th 3 out, soon dropped to 6th and no impression
The racecourse managers and sponsors must be delighted with this turnout. A four-year-old won this last year so Kotkidy, a fine recruit from France for Henry De Bromhead, is worthy of consideration after an impressive success at Killarney. Powerstation was third behind Big Buck's in the World Hurdle and though in tremendous shape will surely find this on the short side. Cuan Na Grai arrives here in top form but he's another who would probably prefer further while Nicanor may just have had the edge taken off his speed by a spell of chasing. BAHRAIN STORM won twice at the Galway Festival last year and a recent spin on the flat at the Curragh will have put him spot-on for a crack at this excellent prize.
Powerstation (IRE) 3-1fav (10-9) Towards rear, headway into 8th 4 out, ridden into 4th straight, chased leader from before last, stayed on well run-in to lead near line, won at Killarney 2m 6f hcp chs gd in May beating Head Waiter (9-7) by hd, 15 ran.
Bahrain Storm (IRE) 25-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders on inner, 6th approaching 3 out, ridden in 5th after next, kept on one pace in straight, 4th of 21, 5l behind Dorset Square (9-12) at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-145 gd in Apr.
Cuan Na Grai (IRE) 4-5fav (11-10) Led and disputed, in front when slight mistake 4 out, asserted from before 2 out, stayed on well, comfortably, won at Limerick 2m 4f hdl gd in May beating Blazing Tempo (11-5) by 4 1/2l, 8 ran.
Now This Is It (IRE) 13-8fav (11-12) Held up towards rear, not fluent 4th, headway after 5th, not fluent 3 out, mistake last, led flat, driven out, won at Worcester 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gf in Jun beating Osolomio (10-11) by nk, 8 ran.
Broom Battalion (IRE) 20-1 (10-10) Towards rear, kept on well without threatening under pressure straight, 6th of 14, 11l behind Banna Man (10-10) at Killarney 2m 1f hcp chs 0-116 gd.
Essex (IRE) 6-1 (11-12) Chased leader in 2nd, ridden in 3rd 3 out, no extra in 4th 2 out, kept on one pace, 5th of 16, 26l behind Swift Counsel (11-12) at Thurles 2m 2f beg chs hvy in Nov.
Nicanor (FR) 14-1 (10-13) Held up towards rear, headway from halfway, 5th 4 out, moderate 4th after next, kept on one pace, 4th of 18, 17l behind Chasing Cars (10-3) at Punchestown 2m 5f nov chs gd in Apr.
Norther Bay (FR) 7-2 (11-12) Settled 3rd, fell at 4th, in a race won by Armaramak (11-12) at Limerick 2m 1f beg chs gf, 15 ran.
Takestan (IRE) 9-1 (11-5) Mid-division, 7th halfway, headway into 3rd 3 out, led 2 out, ridden and headed entering straight, kept on same pace under pressure from last, 2nd of 13, 7l behind Split Ear (10-2) at Sligo 2m hcp hdl 8Evens16 gd.
Cooper's Crest (IRE) 25-1 (10-6) In touch, hit 3 out, soon weakened, 14th of 23, 47l behind Eradicate (10-1) at Haydock 2m hcp hdl G3 (1) gd in May.
Kotkidy (FR) 4-1 (10-8) Held up towards rear, keen hold, progress from 4 out, 4th 2 out, challenged in 2nd from before last, led and stayed on well run-in, comfortably, won at Killarney 2m 1f beg chs gd in May beating Flag Of Honour (11-6) by 3l, 14 ran.
Loch Long (IRE) (10-5) last of 9, well behind Salder Roque (10-5) at Auteuil(FR) 2m 3f hdl sft in Jun.
Otterstown Lady (IRE) 4-1 (11-4) Took keen hold and settled towards rear on inner, 7th 3 out, good headway into close 4th travelling well 2 out, led run-in, pushed out and stayed on well, easily, won at Wexford 2m nh nov hdl gd in Jun beating Cabernet Sauvignon (11-5) by 1 1/2l, 10 ran.
