soon raced in 2nd, not fluent 9th and reminder, under pressure from 3 out, dropped to 5th and no impression from 2 out, soon no extra
soon raced in 5th, slight mistake 4th, pushed along briefly 8th, closed up 10th, soon every chance until no impression when impeded run-in and kept on same pace
always in rear, never a factor
soon raced in 3rd, bad mistake 3 out, challenged from before 2 out, soon on terms, jumped left and bumped rival last, headed run-in, no extra and one pace closing stages
led, slight mistake 3rd, pressed from before 2 out, soon joined, headed before last, no extra in 3rd and edged left run-in, one pace closing stages
soon raced in 4th, closed up travelling smoothly 3 out, challenged from before 2 out, soon on terms, bumped at last, led run-in, stayed on well to assert closing stages
Winning bumper and hurdler Oathkeeper has been very disappointing over fences and was beaten a long way into third at Ballinrobe earlier this month. Ballela Boy looked in good form when scoring at Thurles but, like many of his stable's runners, performed badly on his next start. He can do much better while Lean And Keen has plenty of ability though the fences keep getting in the way. SNUGSBOROUGH BENNY, three times a winner over hurdles, has been running in strong novice company and takes a mark drop in class so Liam Cusack's charge can take this. Round Tower isn't out of it but Nevada Rose has plenty to do.
Ballela Boy (IRE) 4-1jfav (11-9) Always towards rear, slight mistakes 4th and 7th, slight mistake 8th and pushed along, ridden and no extra 4 out, weakened and pulled up before 2 out, at Limerick 2m 4f hcp Soft - Heavy in Apr.
Lean And Keen (IRE) 50-1 (9-11) Rear of mid-division, fell 5th, at Punchestown 2m hcp Yielding - Soft in Apr.
Nevada Rose (IRE) 50-1 (11-7) Held up early, soon mid-division, ridden and dropped towards rear before 3 out, soon no impression, 8th of 14, dist behind Colla Pier (11-7) at Down Royal 2m 4f gd in Jun.
Oathkeeper (IRE) 10-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, moderate 3rd halfway, pushed along in moderate 3rd 2 out and no impression on clear leader, left 2nd briefly at last, kept on same pace under hands and heels run-in, dropped to 3rd close home, 3rd of 10, 20l behind Robin Des Foret (11-12) at Ballinrobe 2m 1f hvy in May.
Round Tower (IRE) 50-1 (10-13) Chased leader until before 9th, chased leaders, weakened before 15th, tailed off, 7th of 10, dist behind Toviere (11-0) at Ascot 3m hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Snugsborough Benny (IRE) 22-1 (11-10) In rear, no impression from 3 out, never a factor, 6th of 11, 21l behind Newsworthy (11-11) at Ballinrobe 2m 3f hcp hvy in May.
