ran 5th on inner, improved to 4th before 3 out, 3rd after 3 out, progress to 2nd before 2 out, on terms 2 out, soon led travelling well, kept on best, comfortably
towards rear, 6th after 8th, no impression leaders after 3 out, soon driven, tailed off
held up 6th, 7th after 8th, progress to 5th 3 out, no impression leaders after 3 out, soon ridden, no extra, completely tailed off
disputed lead, led after 2nd, slow jump 3rd, joined 2 out, soon under pressure and headed, ridden after last, not match winner
soon tracked leaders in 3rd, dropped to 7th before 3 out, soon driven, no impression, tailed off
disputed lead, 2nd after 2nd, not fluent 8th, dropped to 3rd before 2 out, ridden after 2 out, no impression leaders, kept on same pace
raced 4th, progress to 3rd after 4 out, not fluent 3 out and dropped to 4th, soon driven, no impression leaders, kept on one pace, tailed off
in rear, driven after 9th, detached after 4 out, never a factor, pulled up after 3 out
BORIS DE BLAE had shown promise in two starts over hurdles before landing a Downpatrick bumper. He's the type to improve with experience and looks certain to be there at the finish. Icantsay is much more likely to be suited by this longer trip after looking one-paced over shorter, a remark that also applies to Red Jacket, who was just behind him at Cork last time. Ryback Jack landed a bumper on heavy ground and is more likely than most to be suited by testing ground if more rain arrives.
Boris De Blae (IRE) 13-8fav (12-0) Mid-division, 7th 5f out, headway into 3rd 2f out, soon ridden, led 1f out, edged right inside final furlong, stayed on well, won at Downpatrick 2m 2f gd in Aug beating Whizzzey Rascal (11-2) by 1 1/4l, 10 ran.
Candle Island (IRE) 10-1 (11-11) Mid div, 6l 3rd 1/2way, rdn in 4l 3rd 3out, drpd to 4th 2out, no dngr early str, left poor 3rd last, eased run-in, 3rd of 5, 20l behind Mighty Leader (12-2) at Taylorstown 3m gs in May.
Carlo Boy (IRE) 100-1 (11-12) Soon mid-division, moderate 8th halfway, pushed along from 7th, soon reminders, slightly impeded 3 out, no extra and fell 2 out, at Limerick 2m 4f mdn gd in Jul.
Icantsay (IRE) 10-1 (11-12) Disputed lead, headed before 4th, not fluent next, on terms again from 4 out, headed soon after next, no impression and kept on same pace from after 2 out, 3rd of 17, 9 1/4l behind Roconga (11-12) at Cork 2m mdn gd in Aug.
Mervells (IRE) 8-1 (12-2) Cl up in main group, 6th 1/2way until wknd bef 3out, to when pu bef 2out, at Tralee 3m mdn sft in May.
Patience Miner (IRE) 11-1 (10-3) Mid-division, 5th halfway, slight mistake 8th, 6th and dropped off leaders before 4 out, ridden in moderate 7th 3 out, no impression and weakened, 6th of 8, dist behind Slygufftou (11-0) at Sligo 3m hcp sft in Aug.
Ryback Jack (IRE) 13-2 (11-12) Chased leaders, disputed briefly and slight mistake 3rd, disputed from halfway, slight mistake 5th, ridden in 3rd after 2 out, no impression in 4th before straight, kept on one pace, 4th of 14, 22l behind Time For Mabel (11-7) at Ballinrobe 2m mdn sft in Aug.
Sandy Grey (IRE) 100-1 (11-7) Held up, slightly impeded 1st, jumped right 3rd, not fluent 4th, soon detached, badly hampered 7th, completely tailed off, 9th of 15, dist behind Hard Fought (11-7) at Cork 2m 4f mdn gd in Aug.
Black Sam The Man 14-1 (11-4) Rear of mid-division, 9th after 8th, driven into 6th 3 out, progress to 4th 2 out, soon ridden, no impression leaders when fell at last, at Roscommon 2m 4f mdn gd in Aug.
Red Jacket (IRE) 9-1 (11-12) Disputed lead, led before 4th, joined from 4 out, mistake 3 out, soon headed, no impression from 2 out, not fluent last, one pace, 4th of 17, 10l behind Roconga (11-12) at Cork 2m mdn gd in Aug.
Carole Rose (IRE) 66-1 (11-5) Soon mid-division, under pressure from 3 out, no impression from next, slight mistake last, one pace, 8th of 18, 18l behind Champoleon (11-12) at Punchestown 3m mdn gd in May.
