tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, close up approaching 2 out, soon ridden and no impression
tracked leaders in 5th, dropped to 6th 3 out, soon no extra
close up in 2nd, led early straight, mistake 2 out, soon ridden, clear last, kept on under pressure
led, strongly pressed 3 out, ridden and headed early straight, no extra from 2 out
tracked leaders, 4th halfway, progress after 3 out, 2nd when not fluent 2 out, soon ridden, kept on under pressure from last
bad mistake and unseated rider 1st
held up in 6th, 5th 3 out, progress into 3rd after 2 out, kept on same pace
always behind, trailing when swerved right and bad mistake 3 out, tailed off
Dark Prospect is a class act as he showed when scoring at Galway in August but HENRO BOY, who had earlier won a bumper at Downpatrick and was making his hurdling debut, was only just over a length back in third and a 12lbs pull looks enough for him to reverse the form and take this. Gentleman Jeff has been in superb form over timber and on the Flat and is an obvious threat on his victory at Kilbeggan last month while Lancetto gained plenty of admirers when just touched off by Jack Cool at Gowran. Oneeightofamile is another with a real chance as he produced his best effort to date behind Oilily and Ballyadam Brook in a Grade 3 at Tipperary a couple of weeks ago.
Dark Prospect 9-4fav (11-12) Well off pace in mid-division, moderate 6th approaching 5 out, moderate 5th after 3 out, ridden into 3rd 2 out, no impression under pressure and kept on same pace from last, went 2nd close home, 2nd of 13, 6l behind Steeltown (11-12) at Roscommon 2m nov hdl in Sep.
Gentleman Jeff (USA) 9-10fav (11-12) Always prominent, 3rd halfway, led 3 out, edged clear from 2 out, kept on same pace under pressure from last, won at Kilbeggan 2m mdn hdl fm in Sep beating Betabob (11-4) by 1 1/2l, 13 ran.
Lancetto (FR) 16-1 (11-4) Always prominent, chased leader in 2nd halfway, closer from 4 out, improved to lead briefly entering straight, headed 2 out, rallied to dispute again at last, no extra under pressure run-in and headed closing stages, 2nd of 15, 1/2l behind Jack Cool (10-7) at Gowran Park 2m hcp hdl 8Evens23.
Marky Bob (IRE) 9-10fav (11-4) Made all, keen hold, clear for much, jumped left 5th and slightly left 4 out, stayed on well from before straight, easily, won at Kilbeggan 2m 3f 5yo mdn hdl gf in May beating Sir Whinstone (11-4) by 6l, 14 ran.
Oneeightofamile (IRE) 5-1 (11-1) Held up, headway into 4th and ridden entering straight, went 3rd from last, kept on same pace, 3rd of 11, 8l behind Oilily (10-10) at Tipperary 2m nov hdl Grd 3 (1).
Lizzie Bennett (IRE) 7-1 (11-7) Well off pace in mid-division, moderate 7th approaching 5 out, ridden into 2nd and chased winner 2 out, closed approaching last where mistake and almost unseated rider, not recover, dropped to 3rd close home, 3rd of 13, 6l behind Steeltown (11-12) at Roscommon 2m nov hdl in Sep.
Henro Boy (IRE) 7-2 (11-12) Tracked leaders, 4th 4 out, progress to dispute lead before 2 out, ridden to lead entering straight, headed before last, no extra run-in, 3rd of 15, 1 1/4l behind Dark Prospect (11-12) at Galway 2m 2f mdn hdl gf in Aug.
Elles Bessy (IRE) Luso mare out of Kendilstown Lady.
Great Value (IRE) 8-1 (11-11) Mid-division, progress 4 out, left 3rd 3 out, close 2nd last, no extra run-in, 4th of 19, 18l behind Mubrook (11-11) at Navan 2m mdn hdl hvy in Feb.
Strike An Ark (IRE) 25-1 (11-4) Led, clear before 5 out, reduced lead and headed before 3 out, soon no extra, 7th of 14, 31l behind Killogan Lass (10-6) at Wexford 2m 2f mrs mdn hdl gd in Jul.
