soon towards rear, pushed along before straight, soon no impression, kept on
towards rear, no extra from after 2 out
led, not fluent 4 out and next, headed before straight, no extra from after 2 out
chased leaders, 7th early, improved to lead on inner before straight, hit 2 out and pressed, went on approaching last, kept on same pace run-in, caught and dropped to 3rd near finish
prominent, 2nd under pressure before last, kept on well run-in, not match quite winner
chased leaders, 5th early, challenged travelling smoothly before 2 out, no extra from before last where dropped to 4th, weakened
held up towards rear, some progress on inner straight, no extra from after 2 out
held up, 11th early, slight mistake 3rd, ridden to go 5th before last, kept on without threatening run-in
soon mid-division, 9th early, ridden to go 3rd before last, stayed on well run-in to lead near finish
chased leaders, 6th early, soon mid-division, no impression straight
soon mid-division, 8th early, no extra from after 2 out
prominent, 2nd approaching straight, no extra from before last
soon towards rear, under pressure in 8th and no impression last, kept on same pace run-in
prominent, 4th approaching 4 out, weakened approaching 2 out
Luke's Benefit has been superbly placed to complete a hat-trick and is reverting to hurdles on a 14lb lower mark than over fences. However, this is a better class event and his winning run may have come to an end. ROCKY WEDNESDAY looked beaten at Lepardstown but stayed on dourly to catch Lastoftheleaders close home. He's up 6lb but is taken to complete a double. Trucking Along appeared to relish stepping up to 2m6f at Ayr but he's won over this trip and conditions are in his favour. Rory O'Moore has competed against very smart opposition in novice company and makes his handicap debut on what looks a fair mark while Drumlee is another having his first handicap start and he's shown plenty of promise. Wooly Tom bounced back to form at Fairyhouse though he's now on his highest ever mark as is Wither Hills, who scrambled home in a moderate handicap at Navan.
Rocky Wednesday (IRE) 10-1 (10-11) Towards rear, dropped to last 4 out, improved under pressure on outer straight, led after last, stayed on well, won at Leopardstown 2m hcp hdl 0-140 sft in Dec beating Lastoftheleaders (10-9) by 2 1/4l, 7 ran.
Trucking Along (IRE) 5-2 (11-7) Held up in rear, smooth headway before 3 out, led 2 out, kept on well towards finish, won at Ayr 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-140 (3) hvy beating Makhzoon (10-8) by 3l, 7 ran.
Rory O'Moore (IRE) 9-1 (11-2) Tracked leader in 2nd, not fluent 5th, lost touch with easy winner after 4 out and well behind 2 out, kept on one pace,, 2nd of 3, 29l behind Un De Sceaux (11-9) at Thurles 2m hdl sft in Dec.
Drumlee (IRE) 5-2 (11-12) Chased leaders and 7th halfway, closer approaching straight and 4th 2 out, soon no impression and kept on one pace,, 4th of 22, 23l behind Lieutenant Colonel (11-10) at Fairyhouse 2m mdn hdl.
Wooly Tom (IRE) 8-1 (10-11) Tracked leaders, progress into 2nd after 2nd, ridden and no impression on clear leader early straight, closed before last where slight mistake, led run-in and kept on under pressure,, won at Fairyhouse 2m hcp hdl beating Bendanella (10-11) by 2l, 9 ran.
Out Now (IRE) 33-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, slight mistake 10th, 5th and no impression approaching 2 out, 5th of 7, 21l behind Marito (11-9) at Tramore 2m 5f lst chs (1) hvy.
Wither Hills (IRE) 8-1 (11-8) Tracked leaders on inner, 8th on inner 3 out, soon ridden, left 6th at next, went 4th at last, stayed on well run-in, led close home, won at Navan 2m hcp hdl 80-109 sft in Dec beating Shanroe Society (10-3) by 1/2l, 14 ran.
Back Off Mate (IRE) 8-1 (10-13) Mid-division, 6th halfway, ridden before last, no impression and kept on same pace, 6th of 10, 6l behind Sea Light (10-10) at Leopardstown 2m nov hcp hdl sft in Dec.
Glen Beg (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) Soon chased leaders, reminders after 5th, pushed along next, no impression from before straight, 12th of 16, 32l behind Hop In (10-8) at Navan 2m hcp hdl 8Evens23 in Dec.
Luke's Benefit (IRE) 10-3 (11-1) Made virtually all, joined briefly after 4th, went clear from 2 out, mistake at last, ridden run-in, stayed on well under pressure, won at Naas 2m hcp chs 0-130 sft beating Treat Yourself (11-2) by 1 1/4l, 9 ran.
Montrel 25-1 (10-10) Held up towards rear, progress into 6th last, ridden run-in, no impression and kept on same pace, 5th of 10, 5l behind Sea Light (10-10) at Leopardstown 2m nov hcp hdl sft in Dec.
Black Zero (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) Tracked leader in 2nd and clear of remainder until halfway, slight mistake 4th, ridden 2 out and no impression last, dropped to 4th run-in and kept on one pace, 4th of 18, 2 1/4l behind Spacious Sky (10-2) at Navan 2m hcp hdl 80-116 in Nov.
Sea Rocket (IRE) 8-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, ridden in 9th 3 out, no extra, 9th of 12, well behind Emily Gray (10-13) at Limerick 2m mares hcp hdl 80-123 hvy in Dec.
Benhego 8-1 (10-10) Rear of mid-division, good headway to track leaders entering straight until hampered by stricken horse before 2 out, 10th before last and kept on one pace, 10th of 19, 12l behind Ted Dolly (11-3) at Tipperary 2m hcp hdl 8Evens23 gf in Jun.
