ran 4th, disputed 3rd halfway, 3rd 5 out, 4th 2 out, kept on one pace, just held on for 4th
in rear, raced off pace in 5th halfway, 4th after 3 out, 5th 2 out, ridden after last, kept on, just failed to snatch 4th on line, no impression leaders
in rear, raced off pace in last halfway, not fluent 3 out and soon detached, eased and jumped right 2 out and at last, tailed off
soon narrowly led, 2nd after 5 out, mistake 4 out, not fluent 3 out and dropped to 5th, improved to 2nd before 2 out, ridden and on terms before last, kept on well, not match winner close home
tracked leaders in 3rd, disputed 3rd halfway, 4th 5 out, progress to 2nd after 3 out, 3rd 2 out, ridden and kept on same pace without troubling principals
prominent in close 2nd, improved to lead after 5 out, narrowly led 2 out, pushed along before last, under pressure and driven 100 yards out, kept on best
After landing a novice hurdle on New Year's Day, LIEUTENANT COLONEL competed at a high level and showed his quality by landing a Grade 2 at Fairyhouse in April. He had no answer to Vautour in the Champion Novice Hurdle at Punchestown but chasing should bring about even further improvement and he's an exciting prospect. Festive Felon was a long way behind him at Fairyhouse but makes a quick reappearance after falling on his chasing bow behind stablemate Chancol at Punchestown on Wednesday so Noel Meade must believe he can get into the action. Minella Foru began over hurdles in superb style and though not quite living up to that standard later has always looked more likely to be a chaser, a remark that also applies to Sizing Granite who was nowhere near his best on his final start at Punchestown.
De Benno (IRE) 9-4fav (11-3) Tracked leaders, 7th halfway, went 4th 4 out and challenged when mistake 2 out, ridden in 2nd before last where not fluent, no extra run-in, 4th of 15, 9l behind Marshim (10-12) at Tipperary 2m 4f hcp hdl 80-102 sft in May '13.
Do Be Doin' (IRE) 22-1 (10-10) Always towards rear, eased and pulled up after 7th, in a race won by Kennedys Mor (10-5) at Tipperary 3m hcp hdl 80-102 gd in Jul, 20 ran.
Festive Felon (IRE) 5-1 (11-7) Held up, well off pace when unseated rider 4th, in a race won by Chancol (11-11) at Punchestown 2m beg chs gd in Oct, 7 ran.
Lieutenant Colonel 7-1 (11-10) Ran 3rd, ridden after 2 out and no impression early straight, kept on one pace, 3rd of 4, 10l behind Vautour (11-10) at Punchestown 2m 4f nov hdl Grade 1 (1) in May.
Minella Foru (IRE) 12-1 (10-11) Mid-division on inside, headway 2 out, ridden and tried to challenge before last, no extra flat, 6th of 28, 8l behind Lac Fontana (10-11) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp hdl G3 (1) gd in Mar.
Sizing Granite (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Chased leader, 2nd halfway, ridden in 3rd 2 out, no extra entering straight, weakened, 9th of 10, well behind Le Vent D'Antan (11-12) at Punchestown 2m 4f hdl in Apr.
