made all, went clear from 4th, pushed along after 2 out, ridden and stayed on well run-in
rear of mid-division, switched right after 3 out, soon niggled along, went moderate 4th and ridden at last, kept on same pace, never involved
tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, moderate 6th next, kept on one pace
mid-division, no impression from 4 out, never a factor
always behind. no impression from 4 out, never a factor
tracked leaders, pushed along halfway, weakened from 4 out
tracked leader in 2nd, mistake 4 out, ridden and no impression from 3 out
in rear, headway after 4 out, ridden in moderate 7th 3 out, 5th next, moderate 3rd at last, kept on without threatening winner to go 2nd inside final furlong
mid-division, headway after 4 out, ridden in 2nd after 3 out, no impression on winner in 2nd when slight mistake at last, dropped to 3rd inside final furlong
took keen hold early and settled in rear, no impression from 4 out, never a factor
mid-division, 9th 4 out, soon ridden and no impression
tracked leaders, ridden and weakened from 3 out
mid-division, no impression from 4 out, never a factor
Balbir Du Mathan won a Listed hurdle in France and was bought for chasing but hasn't shown that level of form over fences and has changed stables for the second time. Dixie Highway is normally consistent on the Flat and over hurdles and, though he doesn't win very often, his close second at Galway in September puts him right in the frame. Snugsborough Hall beat a huge field at Punchestown in May but is 17lb higher so this can go to LEX TALIONIS. Another Punchestown winner, he made a bold bid to defy a 5lb rise in a better race here a couple of weeks ago and can get back on the winning trail.
Balbir Du Mathan (FR) 9-4 (11-12) Led, joined from 4 out, headed from 3 out, dropped to 3rd from next, no extra, 3rd of 9, 18 1/2l behind Static Jack (11-12) at Cork 2m 4f Good - Yielding in Apr.
Admiral Brian (IRE) 14-1 (11-4) Towards rear, headway on outer approaching straight, 4th 2 out, no impression in 5th last, no extra run-in, 6th of 15, 7 1/2l behind Oscars Den (11-1) at Navan 2m hcp Soft - Heavy in Nov.
Amaulino (FR) 50-1 (11-3) Led, ridden after 3 out, headed entering straight, soon weakened, last of 5, 9 3/4l behind Early Doors (10-13) at Naas 2m (1) Soft - Heavy in Nov.
Snugsborough Hall (IRE) 3-1 (11-12) Soon raced in 4th, closed up approaching 2 out and soon on terms, not match winner and kept on same pace from after last, 2nd of 5, 3 3/4l behind Darkest Flyer (11-2) at Sligo 2m 5f Soft - Heavy in Aug.
Edification 16-1 (12-0) 4th of 12, 8 3/4l behind Brutal (12-2) at Leopardstown 1m 4f sft in Oct.
Master Ruffit (IRE) 50-1 (10-11) Tracked leaders, dropped to mid-division halfway and not fluent 6th, pushed along and no impression in rear entering straight, no extra, weakened, 13th of 15, dist behind Oscars Den (11-1) at Navan 2m hcp Soft - Heavy in Nov.
Balinaboola Steel (IRE) 50-1 (11-4) Tracked leader, slight mistake 5th, 2nd halfway, disputed approaching straight, headed 2 out, ridden and no impression in 3rd before last where mistake, no extra, 5th of 14, 14l behind Manger Et Trotter (10-11) at Clonmel 2m 4f mdn Soft - Heavy in Nov.
The Mooch (IRE) 25-1 (10-6) In rear, some headway on outer early straight, pushed along in 9th before last, kept on one pace, never a factor, 7th of 15, 8l behind Oscars Den (11-1) at Navan 2m hcp Soft - Heavy in Nov.
Lex Talionis (IRE) 9-2 (10-2) Tracked leaders, 6th halfway, pushed along in 5th 2 out and ridden to challenge last, no impression on winner run-in, kept on one pace, 2nd of 15, 1 3/4l behind Oscars Den (11-1) at Navan 2m hcp Soft - Heavy in Nov.
Cardhu (IRE) 25-1 (9-11) Held up, slight mistake 5th, 7th halfway, closer 3 out, close up behind leaders 2 out, ridden in 6th before last, kept on same pace run-in, 5th of 9, 8 1/2l behind Sanibel Island (10-13) at Navan 2m hcp hvy in Mar.
Dixie Highway (IRE) 16-1 (11-7) Held up towards rear, progress into straight, closed up behind leaders 2 out, soon ridden, stayed on into 5th last, kept on same pace run-in, 4th of 18, 6 1/2l behind Like An Open Book (11-11) at Thurles 2m hcp Yielding in Nov.
Howluckycanwebe (IRE) 50-1 (10-11) Mid-division early, 8th approaching 4th, closed from before straight, kept on same pace from after 2 out, 6th of 14, 8 3/4l behind Mind's Eye (11-4) at Fairyhouse 2m mdn Soft - Heavy in Nov.
Roi De Dubai (IRE) 50-1 (9-13) Towards rear for most, ridden and no impression 2 out, kept on one pace, 13th of 22, 15 3/4l behind Fridaynightlights (9-13) at Fairyhouse 2m hcp Good - Yielding in Apr.