mid-division, jumped right 6th, 5th halfway, progress into 3rd 2 out, ridden to challenge approaching last, no extra in 3rd run-in and dropped to 4th close home
prominent and disputed lead, slight mistakes 3rd and 9th, headed 3 out, pushed along and dropped to rear after next, no extra, eased
held up towards rear, 7th halfway, progress travelling well to go 2nd last, pushed along to lead briefly 100 yards out, ridden and no impression on winner close home
always towards rear, never a factor, 6th halfway, pushed along in rear after 2 out and no impression in 7th before last, no extra
led or disputed lead, pushed along and headed approaching last, no extra run-in
tracked leaders, 4th halfway, mistake 3 out, pushed along in 5th before last, ridden and no impression run-in
towards rear, 8th halfway, pushed along after 2 out, ridden and some progress on outer into 4th last, kept on one pace run-in to go 3rd close home
tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, progress to dispute after 3 out, pushed along and led approaching last, ridden run-in and headed briefly 100 yards out, under pressure and kept on well close home
TIGER SAM got away with an error at the last at Punchestown where he enjoyed the stamina test and good ground. He's probably capable of a bit better and can defy a 6lb rise. Misdflight didn't show much in his early starts over fences but has definitely improved and may have finished closer behind Moss Grove at Punchestown but for jumping to the left at the last fence. Balnagon Boy scored in heavy ground at Punchestown last autumn and ended the campaign racing in much stronger company so he would have to be considered if ready after a break. Stoughan Cross showed little over hurdles but was having only his third start over fences when providing a 66/1 shock in a beginners' event at Tipperary. Whether he can cope with his handicap mark is another matter but he's young enough to improve again.
Balnagon Boy (IRE) 9-1 (10-3) Chased leaders on outer, jumped right 2nd, 9th halfway, some progress 3 out, pushed along in 8th next, soon no impression, 8th of 15, 13 3/4l behind Avant Tout (11-8) at Punchestown 2m 5f hcp Yielding in Apr.
Presenting Beara (IRE) 10-1 (11-3) Chased leaders, mistake 6th, soon towards rear, pushed along from 4 out, under pressure from next, soon no extra, tailed off, last of 7, dist behind Curragh Golan (10-2) at Listowel 3m hcp Yielding in Sep.
Topper Thornton (IRE) 10-1 (10-11) Held up, 11th from 6th, not fluent 4 out, soon no impression, pulled up before 3 out, at Navan 2m 4f hcp Yielding in Sep.
Mia's Anthem (IRE) 28-1 (11-5) Held up, towards rear, last when not fluent 8th, not fluent 14th, some headway after last, no impression, soon weakened, 6th of 10, 32 1/4l behind Father Edward (10-13) at Cartmel 3m 1f hcp (2) gs in Aug.
Stoughan Cross (IRE) 66-1 (11-12) Led, headed after 2nd, 2nd halfway, led again 3 out, ridden and slight mistake 2 out, strongly pressed last, kept on well run-in, won at Tipperary 2m 4f Yielding - Soft in May beating Roll It Out (11-12) by 3/4l, 16 ran.
Sue Oscar (IRE) 7-1 (10-11) Raced in rear, not fluent 5th, no impression in moderate 5th from 2 out, kept on well into 4th run-in, 4th of 9, 11l behind Ballela Boy (11-12) at Downpatrick 2m 6f mdn Yielding in Oct.
Misdflight (IRE) 7-1 (10-9) Held up, 6th at 6th, slightly slow 10th, improved and close up 4 out, 2nd before straight, on terms 2 out, every chance when jumped left last, no impression and one pace run-in, 2nd of 9, 3l behind Moss Grove (10-1) at Punchestown 2m 7f hcp Yielding in Oct.
Tiger Sam (IRE) 7-1 (10-8) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, progress to challenge entering straight and disputed lead 2 out, led after last, driven out and stayed on well run-in, won at Punchestown 3m 1f hcp gd in Oct beating Moss Grove (10-4) by 2 3/4l, 10 ran.
