midfield, pressed leader 3 out, disputed lead 2 out, soon ridden and headed, weakened approaching last
travelled strongly, held up in midfield, smooth progress approaching last where pressed leader, soon led, pushed out run-in, easily
close up in touch, headway between rivals to lead before last where ridden, soon headed, kept on one pace run-in, lost 2nd near finish
held up in midfield, headway before 2 out, soon ridden, in touch with leading group approaching last, weakened run-in
took keen hold, prominent, led before 5th, headed before 7th, not fluent 2 out, soon ridden and weakened before last
took keen hold, held up in rear, not fluent 2 out, soon ridden, weakened approaching last
close up in touch, not fluent 2 out, soon dropped to rear, ridden and weakened before last
led, headed before 5th, led before 7th, pressed for lead 3 out, disputed lead 2 out, soon headed and ridden, in touch with leaders approaching last where not fluent, weakened run-in
held up in midfield, not fluent 7th, not fluent 3 out, headway on outer before last where every chance, stayed into 2nd near finish but no match for easy winner
The Irish are out in force for this. Listowel maiden winner Tag Man represents Henry De Bromhead but something was clearly amiss with ENCANTO BRUNO at Galway when last seen. Now with Gavin Cromwell, the five-year-old had made an impressive hurdling debut at Bellewstown earlier and won a strong bumper here last season before running in the championship race at The Festival. Gordon Elliott’s Mel Monroe easily landed the odds at Downpatrick in June and there is also a decent home team led by the very progressive El Elefante and Everyonesgame. Push The Button won over this trip at Worcester while Katate Dori and Isaac Des Obeaux must be well regarded to be making their debuts in this grade.
Everyonesgame (IRE) 7-1 (12-0) Midfield, ridden and switched left before 2 out, soon no impression, 8th of 12, 23l behind Too Friendly (11-10) at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp (2) sft in Jul.
Encanto Bruno (IRE) 85-40fav (11-4) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, pushed along on outer before 2 out, soon weakened and dropped to 7th, no impression when pulled up before last, at Galway 2m 5f Good - Yielding in Aug.
Tag Man (IRE) 4-6fav (11-12) Prominent, tracked leader after 1st, led halfway, went on travelling well before 2 out, well clear when mistake last, kept on well, easily, won at Listowel 2m 4f mdn Yielding - Soft in Sep beating River Tara (11-5) by 14l, 18 ran.
Push The Button (IRE) 10-1 (11-1) In touch in mid-division, closed 6th, went 2nd 3 out, challenged 2 out, led and mistake last, stayed on well, driven out, won at Worcester 2m 4f mdn (4) gs in Sep beating Mylesfromwicklow (11-4) by 1 3/4l, 9 ran.
Here Comes Georgie 8-1 (11-4) Led, ridden and headed after 2 out, 3rd and no extra when fell last, at Kelso 2m 5f mdn (4) gd in Sep.
Isaac Des Obeaux (FR) 9-4fav (11-9) Prominent, raced keenly, pushed along and outpaced 3f out, soon beaten, 7th of 9, 6 3/4l behind Don't Tell Su (11-2) at Chepstow 2m (5) gs in Apr.
Katate Dori (FR) 8-13fav (11-2) Led 2f, prominent, led again 8f out, pushed along and joined over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, asserted towards finish, won at Market Rasen 2m 1f (5) gs in Mar beating Hiero Sport (11-2) by 1 3/4l, 8 ran.
El Elefante (IRE) 6-4fav (11-0) Prominent, led 5th, travelled strongly, went well clear in a canter before last, easily, won at Perth 2m 4f (4) sft in Sep beating Mermaids Cave (10-11) by 24l, 5 ran.
Mel Monroe (IRE) 4-7fav (10-13) Tracked leader in 2nd, disputed lead before 2 out, led travelling well before last, niggled along after last, stayed on strongly, very easily, won at Downpatrick 2m 3f mdn Yielding - Soft in Jun beating Howaya C D And E (11-7) by 13l, 10 ran.
