ran freely in rear, not fluent at 11th, slightly detached at 13th, not fluent at next, detached 3 out, not fluent 2 out, weakened
made all, awkward at 1st, increased lead at 2nd, slow jump at 4th, reduced lead after 12th, not fluent 4 out, increased advantage before 2 out, ridden before last where not fluent, driven out
tracked leader, mistake at 6th, closed after 12th, pushed along before 2 out, ridden and effort before last, switched left and kept on run-in, held
raced 3rd, not fluent at 1st, slight mistake at 7th, not fluent at 9th, took closer order after 12th, not fluent 4 out, pushed along before 2 out, ridden and no impression on leaders before last
BAPAUME has mixed it in top company and has still managed to win seven of 33 starts including his only visit here in April. He has an extra penalty to carry but should be up to conceding 4lb to Snow Falcon. Noel Meade's charge hasn't won since landing a Grade 2 in 2019 and would probably prefer easier ground conditions. Ornua looks best of Henry De Bromhead's pair though his jumping went to pieces at Listowel and though Whatsyourstatus was in winning form over hurdles and fences last autumn he has a mountain to climb on official ratings.
Whatsyourstatus (IRE) 5-4fav (11-8) Waited with, 9th after 9th, closed up travelling smoothly straight, led before 2 out, soon pushed along to assert, stayed on well run-in, eased close home, won at Cork 3m hcp gd in Oct beating Walk Me Home (11-9) by 1 1/4l, 13 ran.
Ornua (IRE) 13-2 (11-2) Mid-division, 6th when mistake and unseated rider at 8th, at Listowel 2m 3f gd in Jun.
Snow Falcon (IRE) 5-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, 3rd and pushed along after 3 out, slightly hampered next, 2nd and no impression on winner before last, kept on one pace, 2nd of 9, 7l behind Darasso (11-2) at Listowel 2m 3f gd in Jun.
Trainwreck (IRE) 40-1 (11-4) Disputed lead, headed 4th and slight mistake 7th, 3rd halfway, ridden and dropped towards rear after 4 out, weakened approaching straight, completely tailed off, 8th of 12, dist behind Max Flamingo (10-9) at Fairyhouse 2m 6f hcp Yielding in Apr.
Bapaume (FR) 6-5fav (12-0) Disputed early, slight mistake 1st and chased leader, led 4 out, slight mistake next, ridden and joined before last, headed approaching last and soon no extra, 3rd of 7, 11 3/4l behind Bleu Berry (11-8) at Punchestown 2m 4f sft in May.
