chased leaders in 3rd, pushed along and went 2nd from last, soon ridden to challenge, edged right and slightly bumped rival, kept on best to lead close home
chased leader in 2nd, improved to lead before 3rd, pushed along from last and soon pressed, ridden and bumped slightly inside final 150 yards, headed and no extra close home
led, headed and dropped to 2nd before 3rd, pushed along from 2 out and not fluent next, soon ridden and no impression, dropped to 4th closing stages
very reluctant to race, raced detached in rear, ridden and no impression from 3 out, tailed off
An interesting opener. Clifftop has only had three runs over timber but has won and been beaten a nose on the Flat in the last week. Benbulben Boy made an excellent start over hurdles at Limerick while stable companion Buddy Rich made most for an impressive victory over 2m3f at Kilbeggan and has Jordan Gainford's claim as a bonus. Gladiatorial also made most for a facile success over 2m6f here in May before just failing to concede 11lb to the winner over the same trip at Cartmel. MARAJMAN chased home his long odds-on stablemate Royal Rendezvous at Ballinrobe with the remainder in another parish and looks the one to beat as Rocky Court appears to be feeling his age.
Buddy Rich (IRE) 8-13fav (11-6) Tracked leader, led before 3rd, 1 length clear before 4 out, travelled well and asserted before last, kept on well, eased closing stages, comfortably, won at Kilbeggan 2m 3f mdn gd in Apr beating Goldwin Magic (11-6) by 5 1/2l, 13 ran.
Gladiatorial (IRE) 4-6fav (11-7) Led, not fluent 1st, headed after next, led again 4th, 4 lengths clear last, driven and reduced lead 100 yards out, headed towards finish, 2nd of 6, 1/2l behind One Fine Man (11-1) at Cartmel 2m 6f (4) gd in May.
Marajman (FR) 10-3 (11-12) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, went 2nd 3 out, pushed along and closer approaching last, ridden and no impression on winner run-in, kept on one pace, 2nd of 6, 8l behind Royal Rendezvous (11-12) at Ballinrobe 2m 2f Soft - Heavy in May.
Rocky Court (IRE) 6-1 (11-8) Chased clear leader, moderate 3rd before 4th, left moderate 2nd next, pushed along and lost place 2 out, soon ridden and no extra, 6th of 7, 26 1/2l behind Mr Moondance (11-1) at Downpatrick 2m 1f hcp gd in Jun.
Clifftop 5-2fav (8-10) Waited with, towards rear early, soon mid-division, effort straight, on terms 1f out, led inside final furlong, stayed on well, headed on line, 2nd of 16, shd behind Clueless Hill (8-12) at Navan 1m 2f hcp gd in Jul.
Benbulben Boy (IRE) 10-1 (12-0) Disputed lead briefly early, prominent, on terms travelling smoothly approaching 2 out, soon led and asserted, stayed on well, won at Limerick 2m 3f mdn Yielding in May beating Old Durham Town (12-0) by 4l, 18 ran.
