mid-division, bad mistake 4th and dropped to rear, bumped slightly 5 out, soon ridden in moderate 4th, no impression straight
tracked leader in 2nd, close 2nd when fell 5 out
mid-division, ridden from 5 out, no impression straight
tracked leaders, left 3rd 5 out, improved into 2nd travelling well 3 out, led next, stayed on well from last, easily
led, ridden and strongly pressed 3 out, headed next, no impression on winner when joined for 2nd briefly at last, kept on same pace in 2nd run-in
tracked leaders, 4th when brought down 5 out
in rear, ridden in rear from 4 out, kept on one paced to go moderate 4th from 2 out
held up in rear, closer in 4th 4 out, ridden from next, 3rd 2 out, disputing 2nd when mistake at last, no extra in 3rd run-in
tracked leaders in 3rd, left 2nd 5 out, ridden from 4 out, no impression from next
Denis Hogan took advantage of Luke's Benefit's lower handicap mark over hurdles and sent him to Thurles for his latest success. The veteran is just 3lb higher than when scoring over fences on New Year's Eve so must be considered with Brian Crawley able to claim 7lb. Connections of Reality Dose can hardly complain at a 9lb rise for his victory by 12 lengths at Naas though the heavy conditions were in his favour. He'll be fancied to follow up here but conditions won't be as testing and BARNEYS HONOUR may have his measure. Gordon Elliott's charge has been running very well over hurdles and reverts to the bigger obstacles on a 13lb lower mark so this looks his chance to add to his tally. Stradbally is making his handicap debut over fences and looks a few pounds high.
Hidden Future (IRE) 10-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, ridden and no extra entering straight, behind when unseated rider last (poor visibility), in a race won by Alderwood (11-12) at Navan 2m 1f beg chase hvy in Jan, 10 ran.
Stradbally (IRE) 6-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, 2nd after 4 out, improved to lead 3 out, ridden and challenged 2 out, soon disputed, narrowly headed before last, kept on, no extra run-in, kept on same pace, 2nd of 9, 1 1/4l behind Moiqen (11-12) at Thurles 2m beg chase hvy in Feb.
Any Bets (IRE) 33-1 (10-8) Always towards rear, 11th of 14, well behind Competitive Edge (11-5) at Leopardstown 2m 1f hcp chs 0-123 hvy in Jan.
Barneys Honour (IRE) 9-4fav (11-9) Settled in 8th, headway 3 out and 3rd entering straight, ridden after 2 out and tried to challenge last, no impression on winner run-in, 2nd of 11, 4 1/2l behind Rory Anna (11-8) at Gowran Park 2m 1f Conditional Handicap Hurdle (80-123) (4yo+) hvy in Jan.
Hidden Present (IRE) 14-1 (10-3) Led, fell 1st, in a race won by Competitive Edge (11-5) at Leopardstown 2m 1f hcp chs 0-123 hvy in Jan, 14 ran.
Reality Dose (IRE) 13-2 (10-4) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, closer 2 out and went 2nd at last, led run-in and kept on well to draw clear, won at Naas 2m hcp chs 0-109 hvy in Jan beating Hold Em Cowboy (10-8) by 12l, 11 ran.
Baby Whizz (IRE) 4-1fav (11-3) Always towards rear, never a factor, kept on one pace in straight, 8th of 11, 50l behind Reality Dose (10-4) at Naas 2m hcp chs 0-109 hvy in Jan.
Mark Me Up 10-1 (10-7) Held up, 7th halfway, headway into 5th 5 out, pushed along in 6th entering straight, under pressure in 4th before last, stayed on to 2nd last, no extra run-in, kept on same pace, lost 2nd close home, 3rd of 9, 1 3/4l behind Clashnabrook (11-1) at Thurles 2m 2f hcp chs 0-109 hvy in Feb.
Glenanelucy (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) Always towards rear, never a factor, 9th of 14, well behind Tipped Up Harry (11-12) at Clonmel 2m 4f beg chase in Feb.
Luke's Benefit (IRE) 6-1 (10-8) Made all, travelling best early straight and drew clear approaching last, stayed on well run-in, easily, won at Thurles 2m hcp hdl 80-116 hvy in Feb beating Kilmainham (11-4) by 7l, 11 ran.
