tracked leader in 2nd, disputed from 7th, led 3 out, ridden after 2 out, son strongly pressed, headed at last, dropped to 3rd run-in, kept on same pace
led narrowly, disputed from 7th, 2nd 3 out, dropped to 4th before last, one paced
rear, took closer order after 3rd, 5th at 4th, improved to 4th before 2 out, closed in 3rd after 2 out, led narrowly run-in, driven out
raced 3rd, dropped to 5th and under pressure before 2 out, weakened after 2 out
mid-division, not fluent at 2nd, dropped to 7th at 4th, 8th after 7th, no impression in 6th before 2 out, one paced after 2 out
towards rear, dropped to rear after 3rd, reminder after 4th, headway after 7th, closed in 3rd before 2 out, ridden and strongly challenged leader after 2 out, led narrowly at last, soon headed, kept on, not match winner
rear, took closer order on outer after 2nd, 4th at 4th, dropped to 7th after 7th, under pressure and ridden in 6th before 2 out, kept on before last, no danger
towards rear, 6th at 4th, progress after 7th, lost place after 8th, detached and weakened before 2 out
A nice prize has attracted a good field with Hewick going for a quick hat-trick after scoring over longer trips at Kilbeggan and Navan. He's up 9lb in a tougher race while So Near So Farhh is up 10lb for landing a Punchestown handicap in impressive style. Grange Walk has only had four starts over timber, landing a Tramore maiden last time, while stablemate Dromore Lad reverts to hurdles after an encouraging chasing debut at Ballinrobe. BORN BY THE SEA should be winning another one of these soon judging by last month's run at Killarney. His close second to Poseidon was a first-class effort and, though 3lb higher, he is taken to go one better. Stable companions Humm Baby and Drumacoo also come with strong credentials in a competitive affair.
Born By The Sea (IRE) 5-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders, soon 3rd, closed up 4 out, led before 3 out, pressed and hit 2 out, headed before last, kept on without matching winner run-in, 2nd of 7, 1 1/4l behind Poseidon (11-2) at Killarney 2m 1f hcp sft in Aug.
Dromore Lad (IRE) 10-1 (12-0) Tracked leader, lost place after 3rd, 4th after 9th, good headway to lead before 2 out, ridden and strongly pressed run-in, headed final 100 yards, kept on, held, 2nd of 9, 1/2l behind Line Out (12-0) at Ballinrobe 2m 7f sft in Sep.
Drumacoo (IRE) 16-1 (10-4) Rear of mid-division on inner, 10th halfway, mistake 4 out, pushed along and no impression in 6th 2 out, no extra, 7th of 16, dist behind Sumos Novios (11-6) at Limerick 2m 4f hcp hvy in Dec.
Fauguernon (FR) 11-4fav (11-1) Tracked leaders on outer, ridden in 6th 2 out, soon no impression, 6th of 13, 11 1/4l behind Wolfofallstreets (10-1) at Leopardstown 2m hcp sft in Mar.
Young Dev (IRE) 4-1 (11-6) Held up towards rear, closer in 4th entering straight, challenged 2 out and jumped left, soon ridden, jumped left again last, no impression on winner run-in, kept on same pace, 2nd of 6, 4 1/2l behind Pound A Stroke (10-12) at Clonmel 2m 4f hcp hvy in Mar.
Grange Walk (IRE) 11-4 (11-6) Tracked leaders, headway into 2nd on inner 2 out, ridden to lead on inner after last, stayed on well inside final furlong, won at Tramore 2m mdn gd in Sep beating Dare To Flare (11-10) by 1 1/2l, 13 ran.
So Near So Farhh 11-1 (11-5) Held up early, mid-division before halfway, progress into 6th before 3 out, travelled well into 2nd entering straight, ridden to lead before last, kept on strongly run-in, eased close home, won at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp Yielding in Sep beating Supreme Vinnie (11-11) by 8l, 18 ran.
Dasmyhoss (IRE) 8-1 (11-5) Always behind, mistake 1st, never a factor, 9th of 10, 27l behind Tiantu (11-5) at Wexford 2m 4f hcp gd in Sep.
Benkei (IRE) 40-1 (9-8) Tracked leaders, 3rd 4f out, pushed along and lost place over 2f out, soon no extra, 14th of 15, 23 1/2l behind Baron Samedi (9-2) at Navan 1m 2f hcp Good - Yielding in Sep.
Humm Baby (IRE) 12-1 (11-1) Mid-division on outer, moderate 8th 3 out, ridden entering straight, moderate 6th at last, kept on without threatening, 5th of 18, 8 1/2l behind Gold Speed (10-10) at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp Yielding in Sep.
Hewick (IRE) 4-1jfav (12-0) Chased leaders, pecked 2nd, slight mistake 4th, travelling smoothly and on terms after 3 out, led from 2 out, mistake last, stayed on well run-in, won at Navan 2m 6f hcp gd in Sep beating Vue En Seine (11-2) by 3 3/4l, 13 ran.
