led early, headed before 1st and soon moderate 3rd, 4th 6 out, closer 3 out but soon ridden, no impression in 5th before straight, kept on run-in to go 3rd
settled moderate 4th, 3rd 6 out, closer 3 out, improved to lead before 2 out, ridden and kept on well from before last
held up in rear, 5th 6 out, closer and headway into 4th after 3 out, close 3rd 2 out, ridden into 2nd last, not match winner run-in, kept on same pace
keen hold to lead before 1st and clear, slight mistake and reduced advantage 3 out, ridden and headed before 2 out, no extra in 3rd when mistake last, weakened run-in
soon chased leader in moderate 2nd, closed 3 out, ridden entering straight, no extra in 4th when mistake 2 out, weakened
held up in 5th, last 6 out, ridden and no impression 3 out, kept on one pace
This has been run five times and the last four favourites have won but it looks very tight this time around. ULTRA LIGHT made a very encouraging debut over fences behind the potentially useful Rattan at Downpatrick on Friday and with that experience behind her and plenty of allowances she's taken to go one better. Ancient Days has done very well on his last two starts and lost little in defeat behind Toner D'Oudairies at Listowel while Heaney definitely improved to score at Ballinrobe and should get much closer to Playtime Ben, who had beaten him comfortably at Wexford. Lord Ben looks a big threat on his first start over this trip as he's been coming up against class opposition but Blue Cannon has run poorly since beating Plan A at Down Royal.
Ancient Days (IRE) 5-1 (11-7) Disputed early, led 3rd, clear from 6th, slight mistake and reduced advantage 6 out, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, kept on under pressure, 2nd run-in, not match winner, 2nd of 6, 1 1/2l behind Toner D'Oudairies (11-12) at Listowel 2m 4f nov chs sft in Sep.
Heaney (IRE) 11-8fav (11-12) Always prominent, improved to lead 2 out, soon ridden clear, stayed on well from last, won at Ballinrobe 2m 6f beg chs gd in Aug beating Dale Street (11-12) by 3 1/2l, 12 ran.
Lord Ben (IRE) 12-1 (11-6) Attempted to make all, soon clear, a bit slow 4 out and reduced advantage, headed from 2 out, soon 3rd, no impression and kept on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 7, 13l behind Rebel Fitz (11-12) at Galway 2m 1f nov chs gf in Sep.
Playtime Ben (IRE) 5-1 (11-3) Mid-division early, towards rear halfway, mistake 6 out, ridden and no extra before 3 out, 8th of 11, 47l behind Double Seven (11-6) at Kilbeggan 2m 4f hcp chs gd in Aug.
Blue Cannon (IRE) 20-1 (11-8) Mid-division, 8th halfway, mistake and pushed along 6 out, ridden and no impression before 4 out, weakened entering straight, 7th of 10, well behind Spring Heeled (11-5) at Killarney 2m 4f nov chs gd in Aug.
Ultra Light (FR) 12-1 (11-2) 2nd of 10, 5l behind Rattan (11-12) at Downpatrick 2m 7f beg chase gd in Sep.
