While there was a disappointing lack of any strength in depth in this championship race, the principals look well up to standard, although this was a race without any pretender to following in the steps of Istabraq (1997) and Hardy Eustace (2003) , with the principals all set to go chasing next season.
NICANOR was just too speedy for the Grade 1 winner Denman on this drying ground as the pair had the race between them up the straight.
Nicanor, coming into this on the back of a Grade 3 win after a Grade 1 place and seemingly improving on this better ground, was always travelling like the winner and was even taken in for cover behind the front three running downhill before being pulled out to range alongside the hot favourite going to the last. He found plenty after clipping the top of the last and, while he may take in the Punchestown Festival, he is to go chasing next season. Ladbrokes gave him a 10-1 quote for the SunAlliance Chase next year, but has to overcome a serious stat of only The West Awake having won both races.
Denman took a strong grip early and his rider allowed him to cruise down the back straight, losing a couple of positions. He stumbled at the end of the back straight when making a forward move, but it did not affect his momentum. He was at top speed running downhill into the third-last and promptly knocked it flat but this strong chasing type made light of it to keep galloping until looking a little weary up the run-in, paying for his freshness early. He looks a fine chasing prospect and theplan is to give him a good break before he tackles the fences he is made for and he could be the one for the SunAlliance with 14-1 looking a big price.
Refinement sat well of the good pace but she was being niggled along going to the fourth-last and was again careful over that hurdle, which was just what was not needed at that stage as the principals started to wind it up. She still crept closer after three out, but could make no more inroads and Mr Pointment running out across her off the home bend made no difference. She is super game and reeled in the fourth and fifth from the last to finish third, but never being able to land a blow at the first two. She continues to progress with experience and, although ending her winning streak, this was by far her best performance, auguring well for staying hurdles next season.
Mr Nosie probably found this extended trip just beyond him, having put the Grade 1 form in the book over two miles and two furlongs.
Mr Pointment certainly turned in a career best and looks up to Graded-race standard.
Nothing else threatened to get into the race with Rimsky looking uneasy on the rapidly drying ground. He was badly outpaced and hampered by poor hurdling, but gamely got onto the back of the dwindling pack at the end of the back straight beforebeing outpaced downhill, staying on steadily from there.
Glasker Mill was shuffled back on the inside rail around the grandstand bend and was another playing catch-up. He threatened to get into contention running to three out, but did not come down the hill well on the ground, before staying on again uphill from the last.
Letterman was another not too fluent, buried in the pack, and he weakened from the third-last, along with The Mick Weston, for whom the ground had gone against him.
Heltornic hit the fourth last hard when in the mix and weakened worryingly quickly.
Le Comte Est Bon was very disappointing as was Turnstile, who had to be niggled along even before blundering at the fifth andhe was well out of the hunt when wisely pulled up turning downhill.
(BJ)
Tote
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