led, clear from 4th, ridden and headed after 4 out, soon weakened quickly, pulled up before 2 out
held up, 6th 4 out, ridden from next, no impression
in rear, ridden and no impression from 4 out
mid-division, ridden and weakened from 4 out
tracked leader in 2nd, led on inner after 4 out, ridden and headed 3 out, no impression
tracked leaders, mistake 6th, closer in 3rd 3 out, ridden to gain narrow lead before last, joined and swished tail run-in, stayed on well under pressure to edge ahead close home
tracked leaders, 3rd 4 out, improved to lead 3 out, soon ridden, bad mistake 2 out and soon headed, no extra from last
tracked leaders, 4th on inner 4 out, ridden from next, close 2nd at last, disputed lead run-in, headed close home
always behind, trailing 7th, pulled up before 4 out
mid-division, progress from 4 out, 5th 3 out, soon ridden, close 4th on outer when not fluent at last, kept on run-in
Claragh Native hasn't managed a victory over fences and is 1lb out of the handicap but his run behind Undertheboardwalk at Wexford puts him in the picture for this. Galloping Gander has had plenty of experience and his victory over Der Spieler at Thurles in April points to his chances. He may just have needed his latest run behind Baily Green at Roscommon and should be in the frame. Regal D'Estruval is a talented chaser at his best with some strong form to his credit but he's won just once in 14 starts over fences and this looks tough. Eagle's Pass was in cracking form on fast ground last summer but tonight's conditions may not suit so it's HIS EXCELLENCY who gets the vote. He won a beginners' event on his only start so far over fences over the C&D and looks quite well treated for his handicap debut though he didn't look entirely happy on testing ground over hurdles at Down Royal and wouldn't want any more rain.
Regal D'estruval (FR) 8-1 (11-8) Led and clear, reducing lead from after 4 out, headed after 2 out, soon no impression, kept on, 3rd of 6, 6l behind Raptor (11-12) at Wexford 2m 1f chs sft.
Eagle's Pass (IRE) 5-1 (10-2) Settled mid-division, headway into 3rd after 4 out, challenged before 2 out where mistake and ridden, kept on under pressure, no extra closing stages, 2nd of 8, 2 1/4l behind Carlingford Lough (10-5) at Bellewstown 2m 4f hcp hdl sft.
Air Chief 20-1 (10-5) Chased leaders, 6th for much, no extra from before straight, 12th of 13, 50l behind Princeton Plains (11-1) at Listowel 2m hcp hdl in Sep.
Any Bets (IRE) 11-1 (10-10) Soon chased leaders, close up 4 out, bad mistake and unseated rider next, in a race won by Victrix Gale (9-13) at Limerick 2m 6f hcp chs, 16 ran.
Galloping Gander (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) Soon chased leaders and well off pace, struggling from 4 out, moderate 3rd before straight, kept on without troubling winner run-in, 2nd of 7, 4l behind Baily Green (11-12) at Roscommon 2m nov chs gs in Jun.
His Excellency (IRE) 10-3fav (11-5) Settled behind leaders, 5th halfway, headway into 2nd after 3 out, ridden 2 out, no extra before last, flashed tail, 3rd run-in, 3rd of 9, 10l behind Whatuthink (11-6) at Down Royal 2m hdl sft in Jun.
Mahrajaan (USA) 10-1 (11-10) Soon mid-division, progress approaching 4 out, moderate 4th next, soon no impression and kept on same pace, 5th of 13, 10l behind Paddy O Dee (9-11) at Ballinrobe 2m 1f hcp chs 0-123 gd in May.
Banna Man (IRE) 20-1 (11-5) Always towards rear, never a factor, 7th of 11, 40l behind Undertheboardwalk (11-7) at Wexford 2m 1f hcp chs 0-123 gd in Jun.
The Big Boyo (IRE) 6-1 (11-11) Always behind, ridden after 4th, behind when pulled up before 10th, in a race won by Page One Two Nine (11-2) at Kilbeggan 3m 1f hcp chs 0-116 gf in Jun, 12 ran.
Claragh Native (IRE) 13-8fav (10-4) Chased leaders, moderate 4th halfway, went 3rd before 2 out, ridden to close before last, kept on under pressure run-in, no impression on winner closing stages, 2nd of 11, 1l behind Undertheboardwalk (11-7) at Wexford 2m 1f hcp chs 0-123 gd in Jun.
