chased leader, 4th halfway, 3rd 2 out, progress after last and ridden to lead over 1f out, kept on under pressure, headed close home
chased leader, 3rd halfway, 5th 2 out, ridden after last and no impression 1f out, kept on under pressure
mid-division, 6th halfway, pushed along 2 out, no impression in 6th over 1f out, under pressure and kept on one pace
always towards rear, never a factor, 12th halfway, no extra before 4 out, behind and pulled up before 2 out
rear of mid-division, 9th halfway, pushed along and no extra after 3 out, weakened, eased run-in
led, 5 lengths clear halfway, ridden after last and headed over 1f out, no extra
chased leader, 5th halfway, pushed along before 4 out, no extra after 3 out, weakened, tailed off
mid-division, 7th halfway, some progress in 4th 2 out, pushed along and no impression after last, no extra from over 1f out
tracked leader, 2nd halfway, pushed along and no impression on leader approaching 2 out, under pressure in 4th 1f out, kept on one pace
towards rear, 11th halfway, 8th approaching 2 out, pushed along to go 4th on inner entering straight and ridden in 2nd 1f out, under pressure and kept on well to lead close home
always rear, never a factor, reminder after 5th, no extra before 4 out, weakened, completely tailed off
mid-division, 10th halfway, pushed along and no extra 4 out, weakened, tailed off
The veteran Valours Minion has seven victories over fences to his credit, including one over this course and distance. He showed he was no back number at Navan last time and a similar effort would see him go close. He had Mitebeall Forluck six lengths behind on that same track a year ago and they meet again on identical terms with Donagh Meyler's claim on the latter, who won at Downpatrick in August, taken into consideration. Rockshandy ended a losing run stretching back three years when battling on gamely after making most at Listowel and should go well, though this can go to ROCKY COURT. The seven-year-old has had only three runs over fences without showing much but he reverted to hurdles on his comeback at Tipperary with a very good run and makes his handicap debut over the bigger obstacles on a lowly mark. Eiri Na Casca is 8lb higher than his victory at Ballinrobe but would have a chance in that sort of form.
Bashful Beauty (IRE) 7-1 (11-7) Prominent, led after 3rd, pressed and joined 3 out, soon headed, no extra from next, 8th of 18, 24 1/2l behind Wilcos Mo Chara (11-3) at Navan 2m hcp Yielding in Sep.
Cavite Beta (IRE) 7-1 (9-10) Soon raced 4th, dropped to 7th at 3rd, 5th before 3 out, weakened to 7th and jumped left 3 out, no extra, tailed off, 6th of 8, dist behind Ballycasey (11-10) at Killarney 2m 5f hcp sft in Aug.
Mitebeall Forluck 8-1 (11-8) Towards rear and 6th before 6 out, improved into 4th after 4 out and went 2nd before last, soon pushed along to lead and kept on well under pressure closing stages, won at Downpatrick 2m 2f hcp gd in Aug beating House Limit (10-4) by 1 1/4l, 8 ran.
Air Command (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) Mid-division, 6th after 8th, progress to 4th after 4 out, no impression on leaders before 2 out, kept on same pace, 4th of 12, 21 1/4l behind Briar Hill (11-12) at Killarney 2m 5f sft in Aug.
Valours Minion (IRE) 20-1 (10-3) Held up, slight mistake 2nd, 8th from 6th, improved into 3rd 2 out, soon chased winner, kept on run-in, not reach winner, 2nd of 13, 3/4l behind Empresario (10-9) at Navan 2m 4f hcp Yielding in Sep.
The Black Russian (IRE) 11-4 (10-9) Led, ridden and strongly pressed 2 out, headed after 2 out, moderate 2nd at last, no extra in 3rd early run-in, 3rd of 6, 17 1/2l behind Draycott Place (11-3) at Sligo 2m 1f hcp hvy in Sep.
Festive Day (IRE) 33-1 (10-6) Led, mistake 5 out, ridden and headed after 3 out, no extra before 2 out, 13th of 14, dist behind Blackthorn Prince (11-5) at Clonmel 3m hcp gd in Sep.
Afatcat 10-1 (11-7) Held up towards rear, progress into 6th 2 out, soon ridden, under pressure in 4th before last, no extra run-in, kept on one pace, 5th of 11, 11 1/4l behind The Black Russian (10-12) at Ballinrobe 2m hcp sft in Sep.
Rocky Court (IRE) 25-1 (10-13) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, pushed along in 3rd 2 out, ridden in 2nd approaching last, no impression run-in, 3rd of 15, 2 1/4l behind Cradle Mountain (10-9) at Tipperary 2m hcp sft in Oct.
Rockshandy (IRE) 16-1 (10-11) Soon led, slight mistake 6th, pressed straight, stayed on well run-in, won at Listowel 2m 1f hcp Yielding in Sep beating Not For You (10-4) by 1 3/4l, 10 ran.
Eiri Na Casca (IRE) 5-1 (9-11) Held up, 10th approaching 10th, closed up travelling smoothly before straight, left in lead from 3 out, slight mistake 2 out and joined, soon narrowly headed, still close up and mistake last, no extra, one pace, 4th of 10, 6 1/4l behind As De Pique (11-0) at Gowran Park 3m 1f hcp Yielding in Oct.
Refused A Name 16-1 (11-3) Chased leaders, 6th from 8th, not fluent 9th and pushed along, slightly slow 10th, no extra approaching straight, 6th of 12, dist behind Mtada Supreme (11-12) at Clonmel 2m 4f hcp sft in Mar.
Diamondgeezer Luke (IRE) 20-1 (11-5) Mid-division, progress into 5th 5 out, ridden and no impression before straight, no extra before 2 out, 6th of 14, 25 1/4l behind Dark Outsider (10-3) at Clonmel 2m 2f hcp gd in Sep.
