tracked leaders in 3rd, pushed along entering straight, no extra from 2 out
raced in 6th, mistakes 5th & 6th and dropped to rear, no threat from 4 out
settled towards rear, progress into 4th approaching 4 out, smooth headway to lead 2 out, big leap at kast, soon ridden to go clear, eased down closing stages
settled in 5th, weakened approaching 4 out, no threat in straight
chased leaders in 4th, driven along approaching 3 out, no impression in 4th when fell last
led, pressed from 4 out, headed under pressure 2 out, kept on same pace but no chance with winner
tracked leader in 2nd, ridden to challenge 4 out, no impression in 3rd before 2 out, no extra when left 4th after last
towards rear, headway into close 6th when mistake 3 out, ridden and went 3rd after next, no impression from before last and kept on one pace
ARCHIE BOY is still classy enough to win a race of this nature despite his big weight. Six times a winner over fences, he's a fast-ground specialist who landed a Grade 3 at Tipperary a year ago but produced his best form when third in the Grade 1 Maghull Novices Chase at Aintree in April. Keelaghan has been paying his way on the Flat since beating Fosters Cross over fences at Ballinrobe and is an obvious threat as is Banna Man, who ran very well behind Jigalo at Gowran last time. Schelm had little chance behind China Rock in a Gowran Grade 2 last time but has won four times over fences and looks on a fair enough mark.
Archie Boy (IRE) 20-1 (11-1) Soon disputed lead, fell 4 out, in a race won by Alfa Beat (10-10) at Listowel 3m chs (1) gd in Sep, 18 ran.
Schelm (GER) 16-1 (11-6) Always towards rear, trailing approaching 3 out, behind when pulled up before next, in a race won by China Rock (11-3) at Gowran Park 2m 4f chs G2 (1), 7 ran.
Keelaghan (IRE) 7-2fav (11-2) Held up, closed up travelling well 3 out, 2nd next, led last, driven out run-in, won at Ballinrobe 2m 1f chs gd in Aug beating Fosters Cross (11-12) by 3 1/2l, 7 ran.
Battlefront (IRE) 20-1 (11-6) Held up in rear, hampered 1st, headway into 3rd halfway, weakened quickly before 4 out, tailed off, 8th of 9, well behind Chicago Grey (11-2) at Navan 2m 4f chs sft in Sep.
Banna Man (IRE) 10-1 (10-5) Tracked leaders, 5th halfway, improved into 3rd approaching 3 out, no chance with winner from next, kept on under pressure to get 2nd close home, 2nd of 10, 3 1/2l behind Jigalo (10-4) at Gowran Park 2m 1f chs.
Bachelor Affair 8-1 (10-9) Prominent, close 2nd halfway, ridden and dropped to 5th approaching 3 out, no extra and kept on one pace, 5th of 10, 29l behind Jigalo (10-4) at Gowran Park 2m 1f chs.
Heartansoul (IRE) 5-1 (10-5) Prominent, 4th after 4 out, no impression and kept on same pace from next, 6th of 11, 12l behind Shopfrontspecialst (11-7) at Roscommon 2m hcp hdl 8Evens09 gf in Aug.
Rookery Rebel (IRE) 6-1 (11-12) Mid-division, 9th halfway, in touch approaching 2 out, soon no extra, 7th of 14, 21l behind Lake Return (11-5) at Downpatrick 2m 2f beg chs gf in Sep.
