chased leaders, well off pace, moderate 7th before straight, no extra from 2 out
chased leaders, well off pace, closed quickly to challenge 2 out, struggling to get to winner from before last, kept on same pace run-in
well off pace towards rear, no extra and pulled up 3 out
led and soon well clear, reduced lead from before straight, pressed 2 out and quickly headed, soon no extra
chased leaders, well off pace, bad mistake 5 out, closed quickly travelling well into 2nd 2 out, soon led and eased on run-in, not extended
prominent in chasing group, well off pace, mistake 2nd, moderate 3rd before straight, closed 2 out, soon no extra
waited with, well off pace, moderate 6th before straight, closed 2 out, no impression under pressure and kept on same pace from before last
chased leaders, well off pace, moderate 4th before straight, closed to challenge 2 out, soon no impression under pressure, kept on same pace
well off pace towards rear, no extra from before straight
An interesting event but BYERLEY BEAR deserves another chance and can put his chasing experience to good use. Unlucky when falling at Wexford on just his second start over fences, he came up against a couple of promising performers at Punchestown last month and looks set to gain his first chasing success. Perfect Smile, placed in Grade 1 company over timber, could be a bright prospect over the bigger obstacles though he fell on his only point-to-point start and though Spanish Auriga had some decent form over timber he's not bred for jumping and the testing conditions could find him out. Soverign hasn't been seen for two years but is one to keep an eye on for the future and Whats On The Menu ran well enough on his chasing debut at Clonmel to suggest he can get involved here.
Byerley Bear (IRE) 4-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders mainly 4th, went 3rd 4 out, pushed along entering straight, no impression on first 2 from before last, kept on one pace, 3rd of 14, 16l behind Raptor (11-12) at Punchestown 2m 4f beg chs sft in Nov.
Der Spieler (GER) 9-1 (11-12) Tracking leaders when unseated rider 1st, in a race won by Blackstairmountain (11-12) at Clonmel 2m 1f beg chs hvy, 15 ran.
Good Luck Chuck (IRE) 50-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, weakened from 4 out, 9th of 15, well behind Blackstairmountain (11-12) at Clonmel 2m 1f beg chs hvy.
Lord Only Knows (IRE) 100-1 (11-12) Soon led and well clear, jumped left, reduced lead from before 3 out, headed before straight, weakened, 7th of 15, 33l behind Kilflora (11-12) at Thurles 2m 2f beg chase in Mar.
Perfect Smile (IRE) 8-1 (11-5) Held up towards rear, headway into 6th 4 out, 3rd 3 out, 6th entering straight, ridden into 4th 2 out, weakened before last, eased and tailed off, 9th of 11, well behind Lambro (11-5) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f nov hdl G2 (1) gd in Apr.
Soverign (IRE) 7-2 (11-7) Close 2nd, led from 6th, joined 4 out, headed and dropped to 4th 3 out, soon no extra, moderate 5th when fell last, in a race won by Moville (11-7) at Navan 2m 4yo hdl sft in Dec '09, 11 ran.
Spanish Auriga (IRE) 8-11fav (11-12) Mid-division, progress into 2nd after 4 out, led 2 out, soon ridden, headed last, no extra run-in, 2nd of 20, 3l behind Abbey Lane (11-12) at Gowran Park 2m 2f 5yo mdn hdl gf in Jun '10.
Whats On The Menu (IRE) 11-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, 3rd 3 out, soon ridden, no impression from 2 out, 4th of 15, 8l behind Blackstairmountain (11-12) at Clonmel 2m 1f beg chs hvy.
Baby's Hot (IRE) 50-1 (11-5) Soon chased leaders, well off pace, poor 5th approaching 6 out, soon no danger, 6th of 16, well behind Bishopsfurze (11-12) at Thurles 2m 2f beg chs hvy in Nov.
