Expert Analysis

A Grade 2 where the leaders went too hard on testing ground, resulting in a pace collapse where the first and second came from well off the pace. The form seems unreliable.

JAMES DU BERLAIS has found wins hard to come by since arriving in Ireland, but this race set up well as he was ridden off an overly strong gallop and came there travelling best at the second last to go clear before being closed down late. His rider suggested he did not have much left on the run-in, and this seems unlikely to be repeatable.

BETTER DAYS AHEAD missed the first half of the season but put in his second good run in two starts at Navan this month, finishing off well enough over a trip short of his best having been held up. This should set him up for good marathon chases in spring though his mark looked about right last term.

SAINT SAM raced typically keenly in the lead and went clear with the favourite. He was a spent force after two out and is best dominating weak opposition.

FOUND A FIFTY was the class act in the field but disappointed on his sixth start of the season, perhaps finding this race a race too many. He tracked the pace but was on and off the bridle and having briefly come back going well after three out, he was soon in trouble. He was found to be blowing hard post-race.