mid-division early, towards rear from 4th, ridden and no extra 4 out, kept on one pace straight
tracked leaders, slow and reminder 4th, soon dropped towards rear, closer in 4th from 7th, challenged 3 out, disputed and mistake next, soon ridden to lead narrowly, strongly pressed and jumped right last, soon joined, kept on well, just prevailed at line
led, mistake 8th, pressed 3 out, ridden and joined next, narrowly headed after 2 out, no extra in 3rd last, kept on same pace
held up, towards rear halfway, ridden in 6th entering straight, soon no impression
tracked leader, not fluent 1st, 2nd halfway, ridden in 4th 3 out, soon no extra
held up early, closer in 4th from 4th, 5th and mistake 9th, soon dropped towards rear, ridden in 5th entering straight, no impression and kept on one pace
tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, challenged 3 out, disputed and bad mistake next, soon ridden, stayed on to press leader last and hampered, soon disputed run-in, kept on well, just denied at line
SALDIER (NAP) was much the better of these over hurdles and made a winning start over fences at Thurles when beating subsequent dual winner Solness. He can't have been right when pulled up at Naas and will be difficult to beat. The Flier Begley ran in a hunter chase in March but did much better when landing a beginners' event on only his second start over fences at Down Royal. Perfect Attitude's second at Listowel in September was a good effort and he reverts to fences after unseating over timber at the Punchestown Festival. His stablemate Vina Ardanza was in the lead when falling at the last on his only start over fences here in August but he's been running in top handicap company over hurdles and is given another chance over the bigger obstacles.
Mercury Lane (IRE) 15-2 (10-1) Mid-division, 8th halfway, pushed along and no impression after 3 out, no extra from next, 8th of 14, 17 3/4l behind Aione (10-11) at Punchestown 3m 7f hcp Good - Yielding in Apr.
Saldier (FR) 9-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders briefly, held up before 4th, 6th halfway, pushed along briefly after 7th, pushed along next, no extra in rear 5 out, eased after 3 out, pulled up before last, at Naas 2m 4f (1) sft in Mar.
Caesar Rock (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Led and soon clear, reduced advantage after 2nd, not fluent at 6th, asserted before 7th, not fluent at 8th and reduced lead, not fluent at 9th, headed 3 out, no extra run-in and dropped to moderate 3rd close home, 3rd of 5, 14 1/4l behind Idas Boy (11-12) at Cork 2m 4f sft in Oct.
Iconic Flame (IRE) 150-1 (11-4) Rear of mid-division, slight mistake 5th, ridden and no impression after 3 out, kept on one pace, 11th of 18, dist behind Castle Field Boy (11-4) at Tipperary 2m 4f mdn Yielding in Apr.
Perfect Attitude 28-1 (11-12) Rear of mid-division, not fluent 2nd, bad mistake and unseated rider 4 out, at Punchestown 2m 4f Yielding in Apr.
Summer Tide (IRE) 9-2jfav (10-3) Mid-division on outer, not fluent 4th and 5th halfway, pushed along from 4 out, no impression and kept on same pace from next, 10th of 13, 22 1/4l behind Finest Evermore (11-12) at Killarney 2m 6f hcp Good - Yielding in Aug.
Vina Ardanza (IRE) 28-1 (11-9) Mid-division, pushed along and outpaced 2 out, late headway for 7th, 7th of 22, 8 3/4l behind West Balboa (11-2) at Aintree 3m 1f hcp (1) gs in Apr.
The Flier Begley (IRE) 5-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, led from 3rd, clear 5th, travelling well 3 out, ridden and joined after 2 out, regained lead inside final furlong, stayed on well, won at Down Royal 2m 4f Yielding in May beating Heather Rocco (11-12) by 3/4l, 8 ran.
