tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden and weakened from 3 out
led and soon clear at fast pace, headed and ridden after 3 out, no impression from 2 out
tracked leaders, 4th 3 out, soon ridden and no impression
tracked leaders, improved to lead after 3 out, soon ridden and strongly pressed, headed inside final furlong, kept on close home
mid-division, in touch in 8th 3 out, progress entering straight, ridden in 5th 2 out, disputing 2nd at last, stayed on run-in
always towards rear
mid-division, 7th 3 out, progress into 3rd and ridden next, disputing 2nd at last, led inside final furlong, stayed on well
mid-division, progress 3 out, ridden in 4th 2 out, no extra
tracked leaders, 2nd halfway, ridden and no impression from 3 out
always towards rear pulled up before 3 out
SPEED DIAL wasn't winning out of turn at Wexford and he's not the easiest of rides but Tim Carroll gets on well with him and his claim negates the added weight for that success. He only just held off Jacks Island on that occasion and the latter is slightly better off but the selection has more scope. Fire Belt has finished runner-up in five out of nine career starts and makes his handicap debut here but Carlowsantana arrives in good form having won nicely at Cork though an 8lb rise makes things more difficult. Luke's Benefit is the only C&D winner in the line-up but he's 8lb higher than for last year's success and isn't in the best of shape. Paradis de Thaix is 17lb lower than over fences so it wouldn't be a shock to see him going well.
Carlowsantana (IRE) 14-1 (10-5) Made all, slight mistake 2 out and ridden, kept on well, won at Cork 2m hcp hdl 80-116 sft beating See Double You (11-0) by 3l, 13 ran.
Paradis de Thaix (FR) 25-1 (10-9) Soon led, ridden and headed after 3 out, no extra before 2 out, lost 2nd run-in, 3rd of 18, 11l behind Bog Warrior (11-12) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f hcp hdl 8Evens23 sft.
Fire Belt (IRE) 4-1 (10-13) Mid-division early, progress to track leaders 4th, 3rd 3 out, no impression and kept on same pace from next, 3rd of 15, 6l behind High Desert (10-11) at Fairyhouse 2m mdn hdl sft in Nov.
Luke's Benefit (IRE) 16-1 (11-7) Led, slight mistake and headed 4 out, ridden in 5th when hampered 2 out, no extra entering straight, 8th of 13, 43l behind Followmeuptocarlow (10-10) at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp hdl 80-109 hvy in Nov.
Prince Of Milan (IRE) 5-1 (11-0) Soon chased leaders, slipped on landing and bad mistake 6th, soon pulled up, in a race won by Speed Dial (10-1) at Wexford 2m hcp hdl 80-109, 14 ran.
Let Me Fly (IRE) 50-1 (11-12) In rear, no impression from 5 out, 10th of 15, well behind Don Cossack (11-12) at Navan 2m mdn hdl hvy in Nov.
Speed Dial 4-1 (10-1) Waited with, closer order to chase leaders 4 out, on terms travelling best approaching straight, soon in front, stayed on well run-in, just held on, won at Wexford 2m hcp hdl 80-109 beating Jacks Island (10-8) by shd, 14 ran.
Surf's Up (IRE) 25-1 (10-9) In rear, no impression from 4 out, 8th of 14, 32l behind Un Atout (11-7) at Navan 2m 4yo mdn hdl hvy.
Buck Breeze (IRE) 8-1 (11-7) Tracked leader, 3rd halfway, ridden and dropped to 6th entering straight, no extra from 2 out, 8th of 12, 28l behind Treat Yourself (11-2) at Gowran Park 2m hcp hdl 80-95 hvy in Nov.
Mill Moss (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Soon mid-division, no extra and pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Dunroe Boy (11-8) at Ballinrobe 2m 4f cond hcp hdl 80-95 sft in Jun, 15 ran.
Jacks Island (IRE) 20-1 (10-8) Chased leaders, off the pace, headway under pressure from 2 out and challenged approaching straight, soon every chance, stayed on well run-in, just failed, 2nd of 14, shd behind Speed Dial (10-1) at Wexford 2m hcp hdl 80-109.
