disputed lead early, soon settled in 2nd, not fluent 4 out and slightly hampered, improved to lead before 3 out and pushed along from next where not fluent, ridden and kept on well run-in, comfortably
disputed lead early, led before 2nd, not fluent 7th, bad mistake and unseated rider next
towards rear, pushed along and progress on outer from 4 out, ridden in share of 2nd from 2 out, no impression in 3rd from last and kept on same pace run-in
towards rear early, jumped slightly right 1st, slow jump 4th, pushed along in rear from 4 out
towards rear early, not fluent 1st, closer in 4th when slightly hampered 4 out, ridden from next and no impression in 2nd from last, kept on same pace run-in
chased leaders, jumped right 1st, slightly hampered 4 out and pushed along from next, ridden in 4th from 2 out, no impression and kept on same pace from before last
disputed lead early, soon settled behind leaders, not fluent 7th, briefly left in lead 4 out, headed before next, soon no extra and weakened
BENRUBEN completed a double when landing a Grade 3 novices' chase at Roscommon then performed at a higher level. He may have just needed last month's run at Fairyhouse and can get back on the winning trail. Goulane Chosen is an obvious threat after landing a Cork handicap by 10 lengths though the assessor has raised him 8lb. Massey's Wood won here after a long break in October though that was over 3m but the versatile Itsalonglongroad has won four times since August and still looks on a fair mark.
Benruben (IRE) 40-1 (11-8) Mid-division, pushed along from 4 out, ridden and no impression after next, moderate 7th approaching last, kept on one pace, 7th of 15, 27 1/4l behind Jungle Junction (10-13) at Fairyhouse 2m 1f hcp Yielding in Apr.
Goulane Chosen (IRE) 10-1 (11-10) Disputed lead, led before 2nd, not fluent 5th, went on approaching 4 out, slight mistake 2 out, stayed on well after, easily, won at Cork 2m 1f hcp gd in Apr beating Espion Du Chenet (10-1) by 10l, 8 ran.
Best Behavior (IRE) 50-1 (10-9) Mistake 1st, soon mid-division, 13th after 7th, soon headway, one pace from before straight, 12th of 20, 27l behind Brahma Bull (11-10) at Punchestown 3m 1f hcp Good - Yielding in May.
Massey's Wood 3-1fav (10-5) Mid-division early, 7th at 5th, keen and soon closed up to be prominent, effort on outer into straight, no extra when slight mistake 2 out, 9th of 17, 18 1/2l behind Crossed My Mind (10-0) at Navan 2m 4f hcp sft in Dec.
Thatsy (FR) 25-1 (10-0) Settled behind leaders, hampered 2nd, soon mid-division, towards rear halfway, ridden and no extra before 4 out, 13th of 24, dist behind Foxy Jacks (9-13) at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp Yielding in Apr.
Itsalonglongroad 18-1 (10-0) Mid-division, 7th halfway, pushed along early straight and no impression over 1f out, kept on one pace inside final furlong, 6th of 13, 5 1/4l behind Drakensberg (10-0) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp pol in Feb.
Monstrosity (IRE) 16-1 (12-0) Always towards rear, mistake 2nd, slight mistakes 6th and 4 out, soon ridden and no extra, behind and pulled up before next, at Down Royal 2m 4f sft in Dec.
Shumaker (IRE) 80-1 (9-13) Waited with, soon towards rear, inclined to jump slightly left, no danger from before 6th, pulled up 4 out, at Punchestown 2m hcp Yielding in Apr.
Ar Eagla Na Heagla 28-1 (10-6) Waited with towards rear, not fluent 4th, pushed along and no impression approaching straight, weakened, 11th of 12, dist behind Mega Mindy (10-12) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f hcp sft in Nov.
