led, travelling fine in front when fell 4 out, dead
held up in rear, 5th 5 out, progress into 4th before next, hampered next, went 2nd and ridden from 3 out, no impression on winner from next, kept on one paced
tracked leaders, weakened to rear from 6 out, moderate 5th 3 out, no impression
sweated up, tracked leaders, jumped well, improved into 2nd 4 out and then left in lead, went clear from 2 out, stayed on well, easily
always towards rear, slight mistake 8th, behind when pulled up before 2 out
prominent, ridden in 3rd 3 out, soon no impression on leaders
always towards rear, jumped right 5 out, trailing from next
tracked leaders on outer, 4th before 3 out, ridden in 3rd next, kept on same pace from last
Beachdale Lad could hardly have taken to fences any better, winning his two races to date by a combined 29l. He didn't jump particularly well at Kilbeggan last time but still scored impressively and will take some beating despite a double penalty. However, the concession of 5lb to REBEL FITZ may prove beyond him. Michael Winters' classy hurdler, winner of last year's Galway Hurdle, was surprisingly beaten on his chasing bow but looked potentially very useful when scoring at Ballinrobe where he was eased right down after going clear. Novarov is already showing signs of becoming a useful staying chaser having made a winning debut over 2m4f at Gowran before a fine effort in a 3m6f handicap at Punchestown. Toner D'Oudairies was a long way behind Beachdale Lad at Kilbeggan but that didn't appear to be his true form and he should do better.
Beachdale Lad (IRE) 5-4fav (11-9) Tracked leaders, good jump and led 6th, not entirely fluent 3 out, good jump to assert next, stayed on strongly run-in to draw further clear, easily, won at Kilbeggan 2m 4f nov chs gf in Jun beating Six Stone Ned (11-12) by 15l, 8 ran.
Churchfield Champ (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Waited with, niggled along 6 out, plenty to do in 5th when mistake 4 out, soon no extra, 5th of 8, well behind Beachdale Lad (11-9) at Kilbeggan 2m 4f nov chs gf in Jun.
Novarov (GER) 10-1 (10-8) Towards rear, 10th 5 out but no impression entering straight, ridden to go 6th before last, kept on under pressure run-in, 5th of 19, 2 1/2l behind Goonyella (10-0) at Punchestown 3m 6f hcp chs 0-145 hvy in Apr.
Rebel Fitz (FR) 8-13fav (11-12) Chased leaders, closer in 3rd halfway, led after 3 out, soon clear, heavily eased run-in, won at Ballinrobe 2m 1f beg chs sft in May beating Leish Oscar (11-5) by 1/2l, 13 ran.
Theroadtocroker (IRE) (10-5) won at Le Lion D'angers(FR) 2m 6f Cross Country Chase sft in May beating Tavenger (10-10) by 10l, 15 ran.
Toner D'Oudairies (FR) 7-2 (11-12) Tracked leaders, niggled along in moderate 3rd 6 out, slight mistake next, closed approaching 3 out, no impression and kept on same pace from after next, 4th of 8, 34l behind Beachdale Lad (11-9) at Kilbeggan 2m 4f nov chs gf in Jun.
Force Of Habit 16-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, no threat from 5 out, tailed off, 7th of 8, well behind Pineau De Re (11-12) at Thurles 2m 2f beg chase in Jan.
Saint Gervais (IRE) 14-1 (11-10) Mid-division, ridden and weakened from 3 out, eased before last, 16th of 19, 41l behind Rawnaq (10-3) at Punchestown 2m hcp hdl gf in May.
