held up, not fluent 2nd, 9th from 5th, improved to chase leaders 2 out, one pace in 3rd from before last
pecked slightly 1st, led and disputed, inclined to jump left, headed before 3 out, no impression and not fluent 2 out, one pace
pecked slightly 1st, close up and disputed lead, pecked slightly 7th, led before 3 out, not fluent last, soon headed and kept on without matching winner
soon chased leaders, pushed along at stages, 7th from 5th, no extra approaching 2 out, soon eased and pulled up before last
close up, slightly slow 2nd, 4th from 5th, no impression from before 2 out
held up, soon in rear, no extra approaching 2 out, eased from between last 2
soon tracked leaders, 3rd from 5th, mistake 3 out, still chasing leaders 2 out, soon one pace
held up, 8th from 5th, no extra approaching 2 out, soon eased
soon chased leaders, 5th from 5th, mistake 4 out, no impression from before 2 out, kept on run-in
soon chased leaders, 6th from 5th, closed and slight mistake 4 out, chased leader 2 out, 4th and no impression from before last, one pace
held up towards rear, 10th from 5th, improved to chase leader 2 out, led from early run-in, stayed on well
Black Benny is just 2lb higher than his last victory over fences at Galway a year ago and looked on the way back at Killarney last month. Russian Regent reserves his best for Perth where he's won twice this year and, if the ground remains good, ELEGANT STATESMAN will take all the beating. A winner on quick going at Punchestown a year ago before getting caught out in heavy conditions, he jumped well and galloped on strongly when returning to action with a victory at Down Royal in June and, with conditions in his favour, can go in again. Empresario beat the useful Guitar Pete on good going at Galway but was being ridden along when falling in soft conditions at Galway. Jansboy was having his 10th start over fences when scoring at Listowel but he'd shown ability previously and any rain would aid his cause.
Black Benny (IRE) 12-1 (10-9) Rear, 9th after 8th, improved to 6th on outer 3 out, progress to 4th 2 out, ridden into 3rd at last, ran on without threatening, 3rd of 11, 3l behind A Decent Excuse (9-12) at Killarney 2m 5f hcp gd in Aug.
Russian Regent (IRE) 7-2fav (11-5) Tracked leader, not fluent 4 out, left in lead 3 out, driven and pressed from last, headed close home, 2nd of 5, hd behind Border Breaker (11-0) at Perth 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Sep.
Aranhill Chief (IRE) 16-1 (11-7) Led, headed before 5th, soon moderate 2nd, lost place and slight mistake 4 out, no extra and eased straight, pulled up before 2 out, at Bellewstown 2m 4f hcp sft in Aug.
Elegant Statesman (IRE) 12-1 (9-10) Mid-division, 5th before 7th, improved into 2nd 2 out, ridden to lead before last and kept on well under pressure run-in, won at Down Royal 2m 4f hcp gd in Jun beating Never Complain (9-13) by 2 1/4l, 10 ran.
Empresario (IRE) 4-1 (10-6) Soon led, 2nd after 2nd, 3rd before 5th, 2nd halfway, dropped to 5th and fell at 9th, at Listowel 2m 4f hcp sft in Sep.
Definite Ruby (IRE) 12-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, dropped towards rear 5 out, progress into 4th 3 out, ridden and no impression after 2 out, kept on one pace, 5th of 7, 9 1/4l behind Illtakeitfromhere (10-13) at Kilbeggan 3m 1f hcp gd in Sep.
Supreme Doc (IRE) 14-1 (10-7) Raced 6th, 5th halfway, headway to 4th at 9th, soon driven, no impression leaders, kept on one pace for moderate 4th, tailed off, 4th of 6, dist behind Kylecrue (10-2) at Listowel 2m 4f hcp sft in Sep.
Coldstonesober (IRE) 16-1 (10-4) Held up in rear, slight mistakes 1st and 7th, ridden after 3 out, no impression 2 out, 7th entering straight, kept on one pace, 5th of 10, 13 3/4l behind Devils Bride (11-5) at Galway 2m 2f hcp gd in Sep.
Jansboy 7-1 (11-12) Soon led, 2nd after 1st, bad mistake at 9th and dropped to 4th, progress to lead after 4 out, stayed on well from last, eased closing stages,comfortably, won at Listowel 2m 4f sft in Sep beating He Is Top Class (11-12) by 4 1/2l, 11 ran.
Mitebeall Forluck 8-1 (9-12) Mid-division, slight mistake 5th, 5th halfway, closer in 3rd 3 out, ridden into 2nd before straight, no extra in 4th early straight, kept on one pace, 4th of 10, 10 1/4l behind Devils Bride (11-5) at Galway 2m 2f hcp gd in Sep.
Valours Minion (IRE) 11-2 (9-11) Held up towards rear, progress into 6th after 4 out, ridden into 4th after last, led before straight, challenged early straight, headed final 200 yards, no extra in 3rd closing stages, kept on same pace, 3rd of 10, 4 1/4l behind Devils Bride (11-5) at Galway 2m 2f hcp gd in Sep.
