chased leaders, big jump 2nd, improved into closer 2nd before 5 out, further progress to dispute after 3 out and lead before next, went clear after last, easily
mid-division, not fluent 4th, reminder after 5 out and 6th before next, ridden and went moderate 3rd before 2 out, kept on well into 2nd run-in, not troubling winner
chased leader in 2nd, improved to lead after 4th, joined after 3 out and headed before next, soon ridden and no extra, dropped to 3rd close home
mid-division and 4th after 5 out, pushed along and lost place after 3 out, weakened quickly and pulled up before last
mid-division and 5th after 5 out, not fluent next, pushed along after 3 out and soon no impression
led, headed and dropped to 2nd after 4th, 3rd before 5 out, ridden and no impression in 4th from 2 out
raced in rear, not fluent 5th, no impression in moderate 5th from 2 out, kept on well into 4th run-in
towards rear, improved into mid-division after 4th, 7th before 4 out and no impression after next
towards rear and 8th before 4 out, no impression after next
Ballela Boy has a penalty to carry for his bumper victory at Naas but made a very encouraging debut over timber at Gowran last month. That was over the minimum trip so he's taking a big step up in distance and may have to give best to FOREVER DYLAN. Henry De Bromhead's charge has led before the last in two recent runs over the course and distance and battled all the way to the line. Steel's Cotton looked a certain future winner when runner-up over slightly shorter here in March but made a bad mistake that put paid to his chances on a return visit in May. Winning point-to-pointer Sue Oscar looks more likely to make her presence felt when reverting to fences but Noel Meade's newcomer Brightest Flame has a very smart pedigree for jumping and is related to some useful winners.
Ballela Boy (IRE) 6-4fav (11-12) Tracked leaders, jumped left, 2nd 3 out, headway to dispute lead entering straight, pushed along after 2 out, ridden and strongly pressed at last, headed narrowly inside final furlong, no extra close home, 2nd of 16, 1/2l behind Mr Antolini (11-12) at Gowran Park 2m mdn gd in Sep.
Brightest Flame (IRE) Shantou gelding out of Sparkling Sword.
Forever Dylan (IRE) 9-2 (11-4) Raced mainly in 3rd, dropped to 5th before 3 out, pushed along after 3 out and improved to challenge on outer next, ridden in 2nd from last, kept on run-in without matching winner, 2nd of 11, 1l behind Double Take (11-4) at Downpatrick 2m 7f mdn gd in Sep.
Meigh Mikey (IRE) 66-1 (11-4) Soon mid-division, 8th at 3rd, no extra from after 4 out, 12th of 16, dist behind Usurp (11-4) at Fairyhouse 2m mdn gd in Oct.
Four Grand (IRE) 100-1 (11-5) Held up, 24th after 3rd, no extra straight, 28th of 30, dist behind Our Boy Boru (11-12) at Navan 2m mdn Yielding in Sep.
Steel's Cotton 15-8fav (10-11) Led, bad mistake 4th, headed before 3 out, soon ridden and weakened, 7th of 9, dist behind Rise Of An Empire (11-4) at Downpatrick 2m 5f mdn gd in May.
Sue Oscar (IRE) 13-2 (10-12) Set slow gallop until headed before 4th, chased leaders, ridden in 3rd and no impression on winner from 2 out, closed and just failed to snatch 2nd post, 3rd of 5, 12 1/4l behind Our Cat (11-5) at Perth 2m 4f (4) gs in Sep.
The Bay Birch (IRE) 100-1 (10-13) Held up, 12th at 4th, no danger 3 out, 12th of 16, dist behind Shattered Love (11-7) at Tipperary 2m mdn Yielding - Soft in Oct.
Win Some Annie (IRE) 50-1 (10-13) Towards rear, mistake and almost unseated rider 1st, soon pulled up, at Clonmel 2m 3f mdn gd in Sep.
