mid-division, 5th 5 out, ridden in 5th after 3 out, no impression from next
tracked leaders, 4th 3 out, ridden in 5th before next, no impression
disputed lead, headed and ridden 3 out, soon weakened
rear of mid-division, progress into 7th when slight mistake 3 out, headway into 3rd travelling well on outer 2 out, pushed along to lead before last, steadied at last, ridden and stayed on well run-in, comfortably
mid-division, mistake 5 out and soon dropped to rear of mid-division, mistake again next and weakened, pulled up approaching 3 out
in rear, slight mistake 3rd, ridden and weakened 4 out
mid-division early and slow at 1st, soon rear of mid-division, 8th on outer 3 out, ridden and closer in 4th next, 4th at last, kept on without threatening to go 3rd inside final furlong
mid-division, progress to track leaders at 4th, 6th 3 out, soon ridden and no impression
tracked leaders, 3rd 3 out, ridden to dispute lead before 2 out, led 2 out, headed before last, kept on same pace in 2nd run-in
disputed lead, ridden and joined after 3 out, headed 2 out, dropped to 3rd at last, no extra in 4th inside final furlong
Hurricane Ben has demolished the opposition in his last two hunter chases and it will be interesting to see how he copes against better opposition on his handicap debut. He looks quite well treated but so does LIBERTY'S GIFT if his latest run can be believed. He'd been racing on the Flat and over hurdles before reverting to fences with a very comprehensive victory over the track and trip when always travelling well and a repeat should be good enough. Rebel Cry gained a comfortable success over this trip at Thurles before completing a double when stepping up to 2m5f at Roscommon. He's up another 6lb but is in such good heart that he'll be difficult to keep out of the money. Nimdani and The Conker Club both ran well enough when they occupied the places behind Winter Magic at Tipperary and are others to consider in an open event.
Mister Hotelier (IRE) 14-1 (10-2) Tracked leaders, 3rd after 4th, pushed along before straight, soon challenged, mistake 2 out, soon no extra and refused last, at Gowran Park 2m 2f hcp hvy in Mar.
Beckwith Star (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) Mid-division, 6th on outer halfway, pushed along in 8th after 3 out, no extra, 8th of 10, 33 1/2l behind Vicangelome (11-5) at Wexford 2m 4f hcp hvy in Apr.
Usa (IRE) 16-1 (11-10) Towards rear, badly hampered 3rd, soon pulled up, at Ballinrobe 2m 1f hcp Yielding in May.
Liberty's Gift (IRE) 20-1 (10-13) Chased leaders, 2nd and close up from 4th, led before 2 out, pressed 2 out, ridden to assert before last, kept on strongly run-in, won at Ballinrobe 2m 1f hcp Yielding in May beating King Blue (10-4) by 7l, 16 ran.
Hurricane Ben (IRE) 4-6fav (12-0) Held up in rear, left 4th 6 out, 3rd next, improved into 2nd after 3 out, challenged entering straight, led approaching 2 out, clear before last, easily, won at Tipperary 2m 7f Yielding - Soft in May beating Kilcolman Hill (11-9) by 18l, 5 ran.
Valours Minion (IRE) 20-1 (9-10) Held up, closer in 4th after 7th, moderate 4th approaching straight, soon no impression, 6th of 8, 21l behind Mr Fiftyone (10-12) at Punchestown 2m hcp gd in May.
Afatcat 16-1 (11-7) Held up towards rear, ridden into 10th entering straight, under pressure in 8th before 2 out, kept on one pace, 7th of 18, 14 1/4l behind Dixie Highway (10-13) at Clonmel 2m hcp gd in May.
The Conker Club (IRE) 11-4fav (11-3) Held up early, mid-division in 6th halfway, ridden into 4th after 3 out, under pressure in 3rd 2 out, no impression before last, kept on one pace, 3rd of 10, 9 1/2l behind Winter Magic (11-9) at Tipperary 2m 1f hcp Yielding - Soft in May.
Nimdani (IRE) 16-1 (10-10) Mid-division, closer in 4th 3 out, ridden in 3rd entering straight, 2nd 2 out, pressed winner from last, no extra close home, 2nd of 10, 1l behind Winter Magic (11-9) at Tipperary 2m 1f hcp Yielding - Soft in May.
Rebel Cry (IRE) 11-4fav (9-10) Close up, on terms when jumped right 2nd and bumped rival, rider briefly lost iron after 5th, disputed lead 4 out, led approaching straight, wandered slightly between last 2, joined before last, gained narrow lead and stayed on best run-in, won at Roscommon 2m 6f hcp gd in May beating Sir Abbot (11-3) by hd, 11 ran.
The Shepherd King (IRE) 12-1 (11-3) Led, slight mistake 6 out, pressed 4 out, disputed next, ridden and headed before 2 out, no extra before last, 7th of 16, 12 1/4l behind Blazing Beacon (11-12) at Limerick 2m 3f hcp Good - Yielding in May.
