mid-division on outer and not fluent 1st, 4th halfway, not fluent 3 out, soon pushed along and dropped towards rear, no extra and weakened before next, tailed off
mid-division when bad mistake and unseated rider 5th
tracked leader in 2nd, bad mistake 4 out and dropped to 3rd from next, pushed along before 2 out and soon dropped to 4th, no extra and kept on same pace from before last
mid-division, closer in 3rd halfway, went 2nd 3 out and improved to dispute lead before next, soon led briefly and headed before last, ridden run-in and no impression on winner, kept on same pace
towards rear, not fluent 2nd, 5th halfway, ridden before 2 out and soon no impression
led, pushed along and joined before 2 out, soon ridden and headed, 3rd and not fluent last, no extra and kept on same pace run-in
raced in rear, took closer order from 3 out, short of room and switched left before next where bad mistake, progress to lead before last where jumped right, stretched clear run-in, easily
NonRunner
Starman is weighted to win this but his only victory to date came on good ground. Kashi won a Fairyhouse handicap in January but hasn't been in the best of form on the Flat while Rotten Row was also well beaten on the level last time. The latter has been chasing and his two victories over timber last summer came on quick ground. BAL DE RIO acts on any going and has a consistent record in these types of races so looks the safest option to gain his seventh victory over hurdles.
Dark Voyager (IRE) 25-1 (11-13) Tracked leaders, towards rear halfway, pushed along and no impression in rear approaching straight, ridden under 2f out and kept on one pace final furlong, 6th of 7, 8l behind Barnacullia (12-0) at Leopardstown 1m 7f hcp gd in Aug.
Kashi (FR) 33-1 (9-7) Tracked leaders and 3rd halfway, soon improved into 2nd, ridden from 2f out, no extra and weakened from 1f out, 7th of 14, 8 1/2l behind Secret Rock (9-2) at Roscommon 1m 4f hcp Yielding - Soft in Aug.
Rotten Row (IRE) 11-2 (10-5) Slowly into stride, in touch in 6th, pushed along in moderate 4th 3f out, soon ridden and no impression, 4th of 7, 12 1/2l behind Uxmal (10-5) at Tramore 2m mdn gd in Sep.
Bal De Rio (FR) 5-2fav (11-4) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, headway into 2nd before 3 out and challenged 2 out, ridden and disputed lead last, narrowly headed and carried left run-in, kept on one pace, 2nd of 9, nk behind Must Meet Cecil (11-0) at Bellewstown 2m 4f gd in Aug.
Coole Arcade (IRE) 15-2 (11-7) Towards rear, 9th after 8th, under pressure and weakened 4 out, pulled up before 3 out, at Killarney 2m 5f hcp sft in Aug.
Natural Breeze (IRE) 7-1 (11-5) Soon led, headed before 4th, regained lead 4 out, headed next, pushed along in 3rd 2 out, soon ridden and weakened, 8th of 14, 18 1/2l behind Athagabhain (11-2) at Sligo 2m 4f hcp gd in Jul.
Starman (FR) 25-1 (11-3) Tracked leaders in 4th for most, took keen hold, headway into 3rd briefly and ridden 2 out, 4th before last, no impression, 4th of 5, 20 3/4l behind Amir Kabir (11-12) at Navan 2m Yielding in Sep.
Battle Of Benburb (IRE) 11-1 (11-10) Mid-division, shaken up going okay before 2 out, ridden along approaching last, no response and pulled up before last, at Hexham 2m 7f hcp (5) gd in Sep.
