chased leaders, 6th before 7th, not fluent 4 out, still chasing leaders but no impression when not fluent 2 out, kept on same pace
waited with, 8th before 7th, closed up travelling smoothly approaching straight, challenged and mistake 2 out, switched right and kept on without matching winner from before last
prominent, led 1st, pressed and mistake 2 out, stayed on well from before last
soon raced in 5th, improved to be prominent and pushed along approaching straight, kept on same pace from 2 out
soon towards rear and pushed along at stages, under pressure and detached in last at 11th, soon no danger
waited with early, soon tracked leaders, 4th before 7th, one pace from before straight, mistake last
led early, headed 1st, prominent, still close up and ridden approaching straight, soon no impression, bad mistake and almost unseated rider last
waited with, 7th before 7th, pushed along after 13th, under pressure next, kept on same pace from before straight
a little keen, tracked leaders, 3rd before 7th, bad mistake 13th and lost position, headway again approaching straight, soon one pace
Cecil Corbett won this in 2016 and always does best on good ground as he showed once again over 3m1f at Gowran 10 days ago. He's up 4lb and has never won off a mark this high though it will be a surprise if he's not thereabouts again. Carole Rose attempted to make all that day and was only headed on the run-in so this shorter trip should enable her to reverse the places and be involved in the finish. DONT KICK NOR BITE will also enjoy the conditions and was always travelling like a winner at Roscommon a couple of weeks ago. He's been raised 9lb but looked to have plenty in hand and can go in again. Fintara has only won once over jumps and is still a novice so she may find this tough, a remark that also applies to Take The Cash. The latter hasn't run since a short-head victory at Kilbeggan in April and the ground could be on the fast side for him.
Cecil Corbett 20-1 (11-2) Mid-division, 5th halfway, pushed along entering straight and 3rd on inner 2 out, ridden to challenge last, under pressure and kept on well run-in to lead closing stages, won at Gowran Park 3m 1f hcp gd in Oct beating Carole Rose (10-4) by hd, 10 ran.
Dont Kick Nor Bite (IRE) 7-2fav (11-8) Mid-division, 6th 4 out, 3rd travelling well 3 out, led after 2 out, soon pushed along and clear, stayed on well under hands and heels run-in, comfortably, won at Roscommon 2m 5f hcp gd in Oct beating Mill Quest (11-13) by 6 1/2l, 12 ran.
Tikkanen Express (IRE) 8-1 (11-3) Tracked leaders in 3rd, 4th 3 out, improved to dispute lead before 2 out, ridden and headed before straight, 3rd at last, kept on same pace, 3rd of 8, 15 1/4l behind Lake Takapuna (11-0) at Sligo 2m 1f hcp gd in Sep.
Jack Slade (IRE) 14-1 (11-10) Mid-division, closer in 5th 5 out, ridden in moderate 5th before 2 out, no impression, 4th of 12, 12 3/4l behind Dont Kick Nor Bite (11-8) at Roscommon 2m 5f hcp gd in Oct.
Venezia (IRE) 7-1 (10-7) Fell 1st, at Navan 2m 4f hcp gf in Sep.
Fintara (IRE) 7-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, left in lead from 10th, not fluent 3 out, headed before next, one pace from last, 2nd of 7, 5l behind Ellie Mac (11-3) at Tipperary 2m 4f gd in Oct.
Carole Rose (IRE) 22-1 (10-4) Led, slight mistake and briefly joined 10th, pushed along early straight, ridden and joined when pecked slightly 2 out, headed last, under pressure and kept on run-in, just failed, 2nd of 10, hd behind Cecil Corbett (11-2) at Gowran Park 3m 1f hcp gd in Oct.
Take The Cash (IRE) 9-2fav (11-5) Tracked leaders, 5th 3 out, short of room and switched wide after 2 out, ridden in 3rd before last, disputed lead at last, stayed on well run-in to lead at line, won at Kilbeggan 2m 4f hcp Yielding - Soft in Apr beating Don't Let Go (11-5) by shd, 11 ran.
Sam King (IRE) 6-1 (9-11) Tracked leaders, 3rd on outer halfway, pushed along and slight mistake 3 out, no extra after next, weakened, 7th of 10, 36 1/4l behind Cecil Corbett (11-2) at Gowran Park 3m 1f hcp gd in Oct.
