disputed early, soon chased leader in 2nd, left in lead before 7th, left well clear 3 out, easily
led after 1st, slipped up before 7th
slight mistake 1st, soon trailing, mistake 5th, some headway into poor 4th approaching 3 out, left poor 2nd, kept on one pace
settled behind leaders, 5th halfway, left 4th before 7th, no impression from 5 out, weakened into last entering straight, left poor 3rd 3 out
settled behind leaders, 4th halfway, left 3rd before 7th, ridden and no impression 4 out, pulled up quickly before 3 out
chased leaders, 3rd halfway, left 2nd before 7th, close up 5 out, ridden in 2nd 4 out, no extra when fell 3 out
First Impressions beat a huge field of maidens over hurdles at Naas in March but his pedigree suggests chasing will be his game and he's one to note. Rivage D'Or has always looked like the bigger obstacles would suit and he should win races this winter though softer ground would be a bonus here. BLAZING BEACON made a really good impression on his debut over fences at Listowel when chasing home De Valira and normal progress should see him difficult to beat. He gets the nod as he easily holds Derrinlaur on their hurdles form and Jim Bowie may need the run following an absence since December.
Blazing Beacon (IRE) 8-1 (11-9) Prominent throughout, ridden to challenge and on terms 2 out, slight mistake last, soon headed and kept on same pace, 2nd of 16, 2 1/4l behind De Valira (11-12) at Listowel 2m 4f beg chs sft.
Derinlaur (IRE) 6-1 (11-12) Led, clear 4 out, reduced lead and joined 2 out, soon headed and no impression, kept on same pace, 2nd of 11, 7l behind Original Option (11-12) at Killarney 2m 4f beg chs gs in Aug.
Magnum Force (IRE) 50-1 (9-11) Always behind, tailed off and pulled up 2 out, in a race won by Overturn (11-10) at Perth 2m ltd hcp hdl (2) gd in Aug, 10 ran.
Market Garden (IRE) 66-1 (11-5) Mid-division, struggling before 3 out (normal 5 out), soon no impression, 10th of 11, well behind St Devote (11-12) at Tipperary 2m 4f beg chase gd in Jun.
Sylvan Approach (IRE) 10-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, 3rd approaching 2 out, dropped to 4th and kept on same pace from last, 4th of 10, 19l behind Your Busy (11-12) at Galway 2m 6f beg chs gd in Aug.
First Impressions (IRE) 33-1 (10-11) Always prominent, 2nd halfway, led narrowly 2 out, ridden to assert approaching last, kept on well run-in, won at Naas 2m 3f mdn hdl in Mar beating Curling (10-13) by 3 1/2l, 25 ran.
Irish Poli (FR) 7-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, headway into 7th 3 out, ridden and no impression from next, 6th of 16, 21l behind Dream Champion (11-2) at Bellewstown 3m hcp hdl 8Evens16 gd in Aug '10.
Jim Bowie (IRE) 12-1 (9-12) Rear of mid-division, some progress approaching 2 out, 10th entering straight, kept on, 7th of 24, 10l behind The Shepherd (10-9) at Leopardstown 3m hcp hdl 0-140 hvy in Dec.
Lavally Legend (IRE) 66-1 (11-12) Mid-division best, slightly hampered 3rd, bad blunder and unseated rider 6 out, in a race won by De Valira (11-12) at Listowel 2m 4f beg chs sft, 16 ran.
Minor Power (IRE) 33-1 (11-12) Towards rear, fell 4 out, remound to finish completely tailed off, 11th of 16, well behind De Valira (11-12) at Listowel 2m 4f beg chs sft.
Rivage D'Or (FR) 16-1 (11-9) Soon mid-division, closer in 8th approaching 3 out, 3rd after next, left 2nd and slightly hampered before straight, kept on without getting to winner run-in, 2nd of 24, 2l behind Kerb Appeal (11-8) at Punchestown 3m hcp hdl 88-130 gs in May.
