made all and clear throughout, jumped slightly left, travelling well 3 out, pushed along before last, kept on well under hands and heels run-in, comfortably
tracked leader in 2nd behind clear winner throughout, ridden from 3 out, kept on one pace from 2 out
tracked leaders in moderate 3rd throughout, ridden in 3rd from 3 out, no impression from next
held up off pace in last, trailing 7th, no impression from 5 out, never a factor
tracked leaders in moderate 4th throughout, ridden 3 out, no impression
held up in moderate 5th, no impression from 5 out, never a factor
Net D'Ecosse hasn't been beaten far in any of his recent starts in handicaps and, though lacking the scope of some of these rivals, should again make his presence felt. The Gatechecker battled all the way to the line against Kylecrue at Listowel last week and looks to have every chance of going one better while three-times winning hurdler Jimmy Two Times had been running very well over fences before making all at Downpatrick where he jumped well. THANKS FOR TEA is reverting to fences after winning a Bellewstown handicap hurdle last month. He's only won once in 10 starts over the bigger obstacles but has generally competed at a high level and his narrow defeat by Westerner Lady in a Clonmel Grade 3 in November would be good enough for this.
Call It Magic (IRE) 11-1 (11-0) Raced in 4th early, 6th from 8th, under pressure from 4 out, no impression approaching straight, soon no extra, 5th of 9, dist behind Coquin Mans (11-10) at Cork 3m Yielding in Aug.
Net D'Ecosse (FR) 7-2fav (11-10) Rear of mid-division, headway into 3rd 5 out, improved to dispute lead 2 out, soon ridden, led briefly approaching last, headed at last, no extra in 2nd run-in, 2nd of 11, 5 1/2l behind Rock On Fruity (11-2) at Kilbeggan 3m 1f hcp sft in Sep.
The Gatechecker (IRE) 6-1 (10-7) Rear, progress to 5th at 9th, 6th at 11th, headway to 4th after 4 out, improved to 3rd before 2 out, ridden after 2 out, left 2nd at last, kept on, held, 2nd of 9, 1/2l behind Kylecrue (11-2) at Listowel 2m 4f hcp hvy in Sep.
Cable 33-1 (10-13) In rear, no impression 3 out, soon no extra, last of 4, dist behind Arbre De Vie (10-13) at Galway 2m 7f sft in Aug.
Thanks For Tea (IRE) 14-1 (11-7) Held up towards rear, progress 3 out, ridden into 6th 2 out, stayed on to challenge before last, disputed from last, edged ahead close home, won at Bellewstown 3m hcp gd in Aug beating Immortal Bridge (10-12) by nk, 15 ran.
Pablo San (FR) 66-1 (11-12) Soon towards rear, no extra approaching 2 out, 8th of 9, 32l behind Major Destination (11-12) at Ballinrobe 2m 7f Yielding - Soft in Aug.
Jimmy Two Times (IRE) 8-15fav (11-12) Led, slight mistake 1st and disputed, slow 3rd, led from 6th, jumped right last, pushed out to assert run-in, kept on well, comfortably, won at Downpatrick 2m 3f Yielding in Aug beating Rueben James (11-12) by 5l, 7 ran.
