tracked leaders, went 2nd 10f out until over 5f out, weakened over 3f out, went 3rd inside final furlong
tracked leader until 10f out, went 2nd again over 5f out, led over 3f out, soon headed, 2 lengths down 1f out, led inside final furlong, stayed on
held up in touch, pushed along 7f out, weakened 4f out, went 3rd 3f out until inside final furlong
in rear, headway 8f out, struggling over 6f out, soon behind
led, headed over 3f out, soon led again, 2 lengths clear and wandered slightly 1f out, headed inside final furlong, held towards finish
held up in rear, headway over 6f out, weakened over 4f out
held up in touch, took keen hold, lost place over 6f out, soon behind
held up towards rear, behind final 6f
Matchaway won a minor contest at Bangor on his first start for new connections having been placed twice in Ireland but a penalty may be difficult to overcome on the ground. Ballymalin has won a point-to-point while Canton Prince was second at Market Rasen in October. Top And Drop represents an in-form yard but fellow newcomer COUGAR'S GOLD is possibly more interesting. He's by prolific NH sire Oscar and a half-brother to two winning jumpers, one of which was just beaten on his racecourse debut in a bumper – trainer Peter Bowen has a terrific strike rate here in races of this type.
Matchaway (IRE) 13-8fav (11-2) Tracked leader, pushed along over 4f out, led over 2f out, stayed on well, won at Bangor 2m 1f (5) sft in Dec beating Apache Outlaw (11-2) by 2 3/4l, 7 ran.
Ballymalin (IRE) 3-1 (12-1) Ld & disp, adv 2out, chall but adv last, held on late, won at Toomebridge 3m mdn sft in Oct beating Ticinese (12-1) by nk, 7 ran.
Canton Prince (IRE) 9-2 (11-0) Held up in touch, effort over 3f out, driven along 2f out, chased winner over 1f out, no impression final 100 yards, 2nd of 7, 3 1/2l behind Mahlerdramatic (11-0) at Market Rasen 2m 1f (6) gd in Oct.
Cougar's Gold (IRE) Oscar gelding out of Top Her Up.
Druid's Folly (IRE) 7-1 (11-0) Led, headed 4f out, lost 2nd and hampered 3f out, weakened well over 1f out, 6th of 13, 25 3/4l behind Fly Du Charmil (11-0) at Newbury 2m (6) sft in Nov.
Dylanseoghan (IRE) 4-1 (12-2) Mostly 3rd, 2nd frm 8th, chall 6out, b mstk 3out, clsd 2out, ld up last, went clr flat, won at Kildorrery 3m mdn hvy in Feb beating Our Venture (12-2) by 10l, 8 ran.
Jack Henri (FR) 12-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, driven over 3f out, soon ridden and one pace, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 10, 27l behind Positively Dylan (11-0) at Chepstow 2m (6) hvy in Dec.
Top And Drop Kayf Tara M out of Ismene.
