chased leaders in 3rd, 2nd from 10th, led 3 out, ridden 2 out, asserted before last, kept on run-in
settled behind leaders early, dropped to rear 3rd, trailing 6 out, pulled up before 3 out
settled mid-division, moderate 5th halfway, closer in 3rd 5 out, ridden 3 out, no impression before 2 out, kept on one pace
chased leader, 2nd halfway, led before 10th, headed and ridden 3 out, no extra before last, kept on same pace
towards rear, unseated rider 2nd
held up, slight mistake 8th, closer in 5th 4 out, soon pushed along, ridden 3 out, no impression in 4th 2 out, 3rd last, kept on one pace
towards rear, progress into 4th 5 out, ridden next, soon no extra and pulled up before 3 out
settled behind leaders, moderate 4th halfway, closer 5 out, ridden in 4th 3 out, no impression before 2 out, kept on one pace
refused to race
led, headed before 10th, soon weakened, pulled up after 5 out
FOXROCK was in a different class to these under Rules and it's only a year ago he was beaten a length by Don Poli in the Lexus. He had his first run between the flags at Borris House a couple of weeks ago and was beaten by today's rival Balnaslow so can hardly be considered a certainty here but he may not have been quite as fit as the winner and his quality can see him through. Buckers Bridge was also useful over regulation fences having been placed in a Grade 2 and he enters the frame in good shape having easily landed a point at Boulta. Valmy Baie is in even better form having completed a hat-trick between the flags though he's met nothing of this quality in the process but Jamie Codd's presence should ensure Grand Jesture gets a good ride though his mount has shown reluctance in the past.
Foxrock (IRE) 6-4 (12-1) Tr ldrs, cl 3rd 1/2way, went 2nd at 9th, rdn & 3l dwn aftr 3out, ev ch 2out, nt match wnr from 2out, ko, 2nd of 14, 5l behind Balnaslow (12-1) at Borris House 3m gs in Dec.
Kilna Shane (IRE) 10-1 (12-1) Twrds rr, hmprd aftr 1st, gd prog to 5th 1/2way, 6l 3rd appr 4out, dprd to 4th 2out, wknd str, 4th of 14, 17l behind Balnaslow (12-1) at Borris House 3m gs in Dec.
Quiet Account (IRE) 7-4 (12-1) Rcd 3rd/4th, slw jmp 5th, in tch 5th 1/2way, disp 3rd 5out, chsd ldrs in 3rd bef 2out, no impr bef last, ko, 3rd of 6, 10l behind Grand Jesture (12-1) at Loughbrickland 3m sft in Nov.
Balnaslow (IRE) 6-1 (12-1) Made all, jmpd well, 1l adv 1/2way, 3l adv 3out, redcd ld early str, 2l ld last where gd jmp, in command flat, won at Borris House 3m gs in Dec beating Foxrock (12-1) by 5l, 14 ran.
Benarty Hill (IRE) 5-4 (11-10) Rcd 5th, prog to 2nd 3out, gng well 2out, chall bef last in cl 2nd, kow run-in but not hd wnr, 2nd of 7, 1/2l behind Kraken Tale (11-10) at Loughbrickland 3m mdn sft in Nov.
Buckers Bridge (IRE) 4-5 (12-1) Ww rr, prog 4out, cl 3rd bef 3out, ld bef 2out & rddn aftr 2out, 6l adv gng best at last, kow, won at Boulta 3m gd in Nov beating Strideout Euro (12-1) by 12l, 8 ran.
Character Actor (IRE) 8-1 (11-11) Mid-division, slight mistake 2nd, soon chased leaders, 5th halfway, progress into 2nd after 4 out, ridden after 3 out, no extra in 4th 2 out, weakened, 4th of 9, 34 3/4l behind Hard Station (11-7) at Killarney 2m 6f gd in May.
Clondaw Frisby (IRE) 3-1 (12-1) Rcd 2nd til 3rd at 8th, in rr 4out, no dngr to ldrs from 2out, wknd str, last of 4, 25l behind Valmy Baie (12-1) at Kirkistown 3m gs in Nov.
Grand Jesture (IRE) 2-1 (12-1) Ww in 5th, 3rd 1/2way, in tch 5out, prog 3out, gng well 2out, sl adv last, sow to assert run in, easily, won at Loughbrickland 3m sft in Nov beating Clondaw Frisby (12-1) by 4l, 6 ran.
Valmy Baie (FR) 2-5 (12-1) Lft at start, dist bhnd at 1st, clsr 6th, ld 8th, 3l adv 5out, gd jmp 3out, slt adv last, ko best to line, won at Kirkistown 3m gs in Nov beating Mr Bolt (12-1) by 2l, 4 ran.
