led, slight mistake 2nd, soon headed, weakened 6 out, hampered next, soon pulled up
held up, progress into 4th 6 out, 2nd 3 out, soon pushed along, close up when slight mistake 2 out, 3rd and no extra from last
tracked leaders, 4th from 6th, 3rd 6 out, weakened before 3 out, tailed off
tracked leaders, 3rd when mistake 6th, pulled up quickly before next
tracked leaders, 2nd from 8th, lost place when mistake 3 out, soon weakened, completely tailed off
led after 2nd, jumped left throughout, clear 5 out, reduced advantage after mistake 3 out, ridden and strongly pressed 2 out, headed after last, kept on
held up, progress into 4th 4 out, 3rd after 3 out, challenged last, soon led, quickened clear, comfortably
held up in rear, fell 5 out, dead
prominent until unseated rider after 3rd
The officials here will be delighted with a classy turnout for a moderate prize which affords BOBS PRIDE the chance to atone for his last-fence fall in the Galway Plate when still travelling as well as anything. Dermot Weld's charge won't have things his own way here with Alpha Ridge likely to prove a worthy opponent. A Grade 2 winner over hurdles, he produced his best run over fences in the Grade 1 Drinmore Novice Chase here in December and looks sure to play his part in some of the big handicaps this winter. Essex was better than any of these over timber and got off the mark at the third time of asking over fences at Listowel last week. He meets classier opposition this time but can go well as can Farringdon, who jumped well when a close third to Bronte Bay on his debut over the bigger obstacles at Ballinrobe last month.
Archies Lad 20-1 (10-11) Always towards rear, tailed off, 15th of 16, well behind Royal Blood (11-2) at Roscommon 2m 5f hcp chs 0-109 gf in Aug.
Bobs Pride (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) Towards rear, progress travelling well from before 2 out, close up when fell last, in a race won by Finger Onthe Pulse (10-12) at Galway 2m 6f hcp chs gd in Jul, 22 ran.
Undergraduate (IRE) 25-1 (11-9) Towards rear, slight mistakes 7th and 3 out, moderate 6th approaching straight, soon no impression under pressure, left 4th from last, 4th of 8, 23l behind Whinstone Boy (11-12) at Clonmel 2m 4f chs in Feb.
Covie Lad (USA) 8-1 (11-12) Mid-division, good headway to track leaders 9th, left 2nd 3 out, led approaching straight, stayed on well run-in, won at Kilbeggan 3m 1f beg chs gd in Aug beating Im So Lonely (11-12) by 2 1/2l, 14 ran.
A New Rising (IRE) 25-1 (11-9) Soon tracked leaders, 4th before 3 out where left 3rd and slightly hampered, soon no impression, 3rd of 14, 25l behind Covie Lad (11-12) at Kilbeggan 3m 1f beg chs gd in Aug.
Alpha Ridge (IRE) 8-1 (10-8) Prominent, mistake and lost place 10th, towards rear when pulled up after 15th, in a race won by Bluesea Cracker (10-3) at Fairyhouse 3m 5f hcp chs hvy in Apr, 26 ran.
Farringdon 7-2fav (11-12) Soon mid-division, moderate 5th 4 out, under pressure next, closed and stayed on run-in, not get to 1st 2, 3rd of 12, 1 3/4l behind Bronte Bay (11-7) at Ballinrobe 2m 6f beg chs gd in Aug.
Hellyhunter (IRE) 12-1 (11-9) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, ridden in 6th entering straight, 5th 2 out, no extra and kept on one pace, 4th of 25, 21l behind Quito De La Roque (11-5) at Fairyhouse 3m nov hcp hdl hvy in Apr.
Moinor (IRE) 33-1 (11-7) Always towards rear, behind when pulled up after 7 out, in a race won by Covie Lad (11-12) at Kilbeggan 3m 1f beg chs gd in Aug, 14 ran.
Essex (IRE) 6-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, improved to lead 5 out, ridden and challenged 2 out, kept on well from before last, won at Listowel 2m 3f beg chs gd beating Warne (11-12) by 1 3/4l, 16 ran.
So Determined (IRE) 13-2 (11-7) Held up, 9th approaching halfway, 6th and progress 4 out, 4th next, 3rd 2 out, 2nd and challenged after last, every chance, no extra close home, 2nd of 12, 1l behind Norther Bay (11-12) at Down Royal 2m 4f beg chs gf in Aug.
