tracked leaders, 6th approaching straight, soon no impression under pressure, kept on same pace
tracked leaders, 4th approaching straight, soon no impression under pressure and kept on same pace
towards rear for most, never a factor
prominent, 3rd approaching straight, soon no impression under pressure, kept on same pace
chased leaders, closed up approaching straight into 2nd, challenged and on terms last, soon led and drew clear, easily
held up, keen hold, closed and got in close to 3 out, slipped up approaching next
waited with towards rear, improved under pressure to chase winner but no impression run-in, kept on same pace
towards rear for most, never a factor
chased leaders, closed to track leaders 2 out, led approaching straight, joined last, soon headed and no impression, kept on same pace
soon tracked leaders, 5th approaching straight, soon no impression under pressure
led, clear early, headed 3 out, lost place and no extra approaching straight
Six favourites have won this in nine renewals including Dunguib in 2009. MOUNT BENBULBEN looks certain to be market leader on his hurdling debut as he's the only horse to have beaten subsequent Champion Bumper Lovethehigherlaw, which he did with the minimum of fuss at Limerick in March. Connections went to £250,000 for him at the sales in April and he can start justifying that price tag here. Coral Creek has been a little unfortunate to come up against useful winners on her two latest starts while both Letter Of Credit and Imperial Joey should be winning soon. Badger Or Bust and Ted Dolly have been performing with credit on the Flat but the interesting one here is The Ethiopian, who was once very highly regarded and returned after a long break with a promising run on the Flat at the Curragh last month.
Badger Or Bust (IRE) 12-1 (11-5) Held up towards rear, ridden and weakened before 3 out, trailing when eased 2 out, tailed off, last of 7, well behind Ephorus (11-11) at Tramore 2m nov hcp hdl 80-109 hvy in Jan.
Castle Wings (IRE) 12-1 (11-7) Mid-division best, never a factor, 10th of 20, 48l behind Farrells Fancy (11-4) at Tipperary 2m mdn hdl gs.
Catch The Stalker (IRE) 66-1 (10-11) Mid-division, slow jump 4 out, soon no impression, 12th of 20, well behind Farrells Fancy (11-4) at Tipperary 2m mdn hdl gs.
Imperial Joey (IRE) 13-2 (11-4) Soon tracked leaders, 5th before straight, soon no impression under pressure, kept on same pace, 4th of 20, 12l behind Farrells Fancy (11-4) at Tipperary 2m mdn hdl gs.
Letter Of Credit (IRE) 5-1 (11-9) Mid-division early, 7th halfway, headway into 4th 2 out, ridden in 3rd approaching last where mistake, no extra and kept on same pace, 3rd of 24, 17l behind Il Fenomeno (11-12) at Punchestown 2m mdn hdl.
Mount Benbulben (IRE) 8-1 (11-11) Tracked leaders on outer, progress to dispute lead 4f out, ridden to lead entering straight, went clear 1f out, stayed on strongly, won at Limerick 2m 3f N H flat sft in Mar beating Lovethehigherlaw (12-0) by 8l, 6 ran.
Ted Dolly (IRE) 14-1 (11-11) Held up towards rear, some headway in moderate 7th 3f out, ridden into 6th over 1f out, kept on one pace, 5th of 12, 15l behind Jewel In The Sun (12-0) at Ballinrobe 2m N H flat in Jul '10.
Temple Castle (IRE) 100-1 (11-4) Mid-division, 11th approaching 3 out, soon no impression, kept on same pace, 7th of 18, 32l behind Sea Of Thunder (11-4) at Thurles 2m Maiden Hurdle (5-6yo) gd.
The Ethiopian (IRE) 2-7fav (11-7) Mid-division, headway to 6th after 3 out, improved to 3rd before 2 out where challenged, ridden to lead before last, kept on, headed close home, 2nd of 17, hd behind Garryduff East (10-11) at Clonmel 2m 4yo mdn hdl fm in May '08.
Coral Creek (IRE) 14-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, 6th halfway, headway into 2nd 4 out, ridden and no impression leader 2 out, kept on same pace, 2nd of 16, 11l behind Leceile (11-7) at Fairyhouse 2m mares mdn hdl gd.
Taralga (IRE) 20-1 (11-7) Disputed early, soon chased leader in 2nd, lost place before 3 out, moderate 8th entering straight, no impression and kept on one pace, 8th of 16, 34l behind Leceile (11-7) at Fairyhouse 2m mares mdn hdl gd.
