led, strongly pressed approaching 3 out, headed before next, kept on under pressure, no extra run-in
held up, headway into 5th halfway, went 4th approaching 3 out, soon ridden, 3rd at last, kept on well run-in without reaching winner
tracked leaders, 4th halfway, good progress into 3rd 6 out, pushed along approaching 3 out, no extra from next, beaten in 4th when blundered at last, soon pulled up
always towards rear, trailing approaching 3 out, behind when pulled up before next
tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, mistake 8th, improved into 2nd approaching 3 out, led before 2 out where mistake, kept on well under pressure from last
in rear, ridden in 6th approaching 3 out, no impression from 2 out, kept on one pace
tracked leader in 2nd, ridden after 4 out and dropped to 5th before next, no extra
Two of the main entries here, GLENCOVE MARINA and Miss Mitch, have changed stables but that should hardly hinder their progress and both should have good seasons. The former, seven times a winner for Willie Mullins including a Grade 1 novice hurdle, proved his credentials over fences by slamming Finger Onthe Pulse 10 lengths in a Grade 2 at Leopardstown and is an exciting recruit for Eoin Griffin. Miss Mitch has her first start for Pat Fahy after transferring from Robert and Sally Alner's. She may just find this on the short side as her best efforts have come over Ascot's stiff 2m6f but her trainer has returned from a summer break in cracking form and she gets all the allowances. China Rock was a class act over timber and competed at a very high level over fences after his maiden victory at Galway last October. The remainder will need to improve against potentially top-class opposition.
Oscar Looby (IRE) 14-1 (10-11) Fell 2nd, in a race won by Alfa Beat (10-10) at Listowel 3m Handicap (4yo) (1) gd in Sep, 18 ran.
Coolcashin (IRE) 2-1fav (10-13) Chased leaders early, soon moderate 4th, dropped towards rear before halfway, trailing and pulled up before 5 out, in a race won by Schelm (10-13) at Punchestown 2m 2f chs gf in May, 7 ran.
Glencove Marina (IRE) 10-3 (11-2) Held up towards rear, headway into 5th 4 out, 3rd 3 out, travelled well in 2nd before next, ridden to challenge last, kept on strongly run-in, won at Navan 2m 4f chs Grade 3 hvy in Mar beating Made In Taipan (11-10) by 8l, 10 ran.
Schelm (GER) 5-1 (11-3) Chased leader in 2nd, mistake 1st, slight mistake 4th, ridden and no impression leader entering straight, kept on same pace, 2nd of 5, 3 1/2l behind Loosen My Load (10-13) at Listowel 2m 3f chs in Sep.
China Rock (IRE) 5-1 (11-10) Prominent, jumped right and led 5 out, closely tracked by 2nd and clear of remainder before straight, headed 2 out, no impression and kept on same pace run-in, 2nd of 8, 3l behind Kempes (11-10) at Punchestown 3m 1f nov chs G1 gd in Apr.
Royal Choice (IRE) 8-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, moderate 3rd approaching 2 out, soon no impression and kept on same pace, 3rd of 8, 13l behind Away We Go (11-7) at Wexford 2m 3f chs gd in Aug.
Miss Mitch (IRE) 13-2 (11-2) In touch, lost place 11th, ridden and headway under pressure 3 out, stayed on strongly to chase winner flat, just failed, 2nd of 13, nk behind The Sawyer (9-8) at Ascot 2m 5f hcp chs (2) sft in Jan.
