chased leaders, 5th halfway, dropped towards rear 3 out, ridden and no extra next
chased leaders, slight mistake 2nd, 4th halfway, ridden in 3rd after 2 out, no impression before last, kept on one pace
chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden to press leader after 2 out, led narrowly approaching last, kept on well under pressure run-in
disputed, led after 1st, headed after 2nd and chased leader, 2nd halfway, led 5th, ridden and pressed after 2 out, narrowly headed approaching last, kept on run-in, not match winner
held up, 7th halfway, progress into 4th 3 out, slight mistake 2 out and ridden, under pressure in 3rd and slight mistake last, kept on one pace
held up, 6th halfway, ridden and no impression 2 out, kept on one pace
mistake 1st, always towards rear, ridden and no impression 2 out, weakened and tailed off
disputed, chased leader after 1st, ran freely to dispute again before 2nd, led after 2nd, slight mistake 5th and headed, weakening and mistake 3 out, tailed off
PERSIA has always looked as though he could do better and though he had little to beat at Bellewstown he will have gained confidence and can go in again. Mars Harper easily won a bumper here and, following a good run at Limerick, got off the mark over timber at Down Royal. Runner-up Cullagh's Star goes in the opener so should give some clues. Asserted looked a smart prospect when making a successful hurdling debut at Kilbeggan and can only improve but The Little Yank, a dual bumper winner, is winless after 21 starts over hurdles. None of the remainder should be discounted in an interesting event.
Asserted (IRE) 9-2 (11-6) Mid-division, progress 2 out, ridden into 3rd before last, challenged last, led run-in and kept on well, won at Kilbeggan 2m 2f mdn gd in Jun beating Kavanaghs Cross (11-6) by 4 1/2l, 16 ran.
Mars Harper 7-1 (12-0) Tracked leaders on inner, mid-division halfway, switched left 3 out, pushed along and headway on outer to dispute lead next, led last, ridden and kept on well run-in, won at Down Royal 2m mdn gd in Jun beating Cullaghs Star (11-6) by 1/2l, 15 ran.
The Little Yank (IRE) 10-3 (10-12) Led early, joined from 3rd headed 7th, improved to dispute lead and ridden when mistake 3 out, headed next, kept on same pace in 2nd run-in, 2nd of 6, 4 3/4l behind Banbridge (11-10) at Roscommon 2m 5f sft in Jul.
Persia (IRE) 1-6fav (11-8) Made all, went clear travelling well after 3 out, well clear at last, eased inside final furlong, very easily, won at Bellewstown 2m 1f gd in Jul beating Batalha (11-2) by 15l, 9 ran.
Staging Post (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) Mid-division, took closer order 5 out, pushed along to chase leaders into straight, one pace after 2 out, 4th of 8, 9 1/4l behind Statuaire (11-5) at Wexford 2m Yielding in Jun.
Good Time Jonny (IRE) 6-1 (12-0) Mid-division, moderate 8th and pushed along 3 out, no impression, never a factor, 9th of 13, dist behind Hallowed Star (12-0) at Roscommon 2m mdn sft in Jul.
Hot Beat (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, no impression in moderate 4th after 3 out, no extra, never a factor, 4th of 6, dist behind Shumaker (11-0) at Fairyhouse 2m hvy in Jan.
King Lenox 40-1 (11-4) A little keen, prominent, on terms approaching 2nd, soon led, joined from before 2 out, soon regained lead, joined again before last, soon headed and one pace, dropped to 3rd closing stages, 3rd of 14, 3 1/2l behind Red Ball Of Fire (10-11) at Sligo 2m 1f mdn gd in Jul.
