led, joined 4 out and headed next, soon ridden, kept on under pressure run-in
chased leaders, 6th halfway, progress into 3rd before 3 out, no extra after 2 out, weakened
mid-division, 7th halfway, mistake 6 out, rear when slight mistake 4 out, no extra, pulled up before 2 out
chased leaders, 5th halfway, slight mistake 6 out, lost place 3 out and no impression in 9th next, no extra, eased run-in, tailed off
mid-division, 9th halfway, ridden and no extra after 4 out, weakened, pulled up before 2 out
settled towards rear, progress 3 out and went 4th next, no impression in 3rd at last, no extra run-in
chased leaders, 8th halfway, ridden and no extra in 10th early straight, kept on one pace
tracked leader, 2nd halfway, progress to dispute 4 out and led next, under pressure and 1 length advantage last, kept on run-in
rear of mid-division, 11th halfway, progress in 5th 3 out, slight mistake next, kept on under pressure run-in to go 3rd close home
mid-division, 10th halfway, progress into 4th briefly 3 out, soon ridden and no extra in 5th when mistake last
chased leaders, 4th halfway, pecked 4 out and no extra after next
always towards rear, no impression when slight mistake 2 out, no extra and eased run-in, tailed off
tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden and lost place 3 out, no impression in 7th next, kept on one pace
always rear, no impression 4 out, detached when pulled up before 2 out
There are some progressive young chasers in this and the form should be worth following. The Way We Were, Shamiran and Playtime Ben must all carry more than their allotted weight but UK raiders The Romford Pele and Ballinvarrig have just sneaked into the handicap and are worth considering. Nicky Henderson has sent over Ericht but he has something to prove having never looked like convincing last time at Cheltenham. Paul Carberry has chosen Mullaghanoe River over Noel Meade's other runner Road To Riches and a clear round could see him in the firing-line, though he was no match for SIZING GOLD at Navan in December. Henry De Bromhead's charge has been set some stiff tasks since and has a chance to get back in the winning groove today. Balnaslow has also been competing at a high level and has to be feared but the handicapper has slaughtered Some Tikket for his win at Fairyhouse and Leavethelighton is no certainty to conform Gowran running with Followmeuptocarlow.
Road To Riches (IRE) 2-1 (11-10) Made all, ridden 2 out, kept on well from before last, won at Fairyhouse 2m 1f nov chs in Apr beating Mallowney (11-10) by 4l, 5 ran.
Ericht (IRE) 13-2fav (11-10) Mid-division, blundered 8th, lost place before 11th, behind when pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Present View (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m 4f (1) gs in Mar, 19 ran.
Some Tikket (IRE) 6-1fav (11-3) Tracked leaders, improved 3 out, led before straight, clear approaching last, stayed on well run-in, comfortably,, won at Fairyhouse 2m 1f nov hcp chs sft in Apr beating Shamiran (10-2) by 6l, 13 ran.
Sizing Gold (IRE) 12-1 (11-4) Led to 1st, tracked leaders, hampered 4 out, outpaced after next, never on terms, weakened before last, 6th of 12, 25l behind Taquin Du Seuil (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m 4f nov chs G1 (1) gd in Mar.
Balnaslow (IRE) 8-13fav (11-10) Made virtually all, joined briefly after 3 out, ridden 2 out, kept on well under pressure from last, won at Tramore 2m 6f chs in Apr beating Harpsy Cord (11-4) by 1/2l, 5 ran.
Followmeuptocarlow (IRE) 11-2 (11-1) Held up early, closer order from before 5th, soon prominent, almost on terms from before straight, gained narrow lead 3 out, pressed last, headed and no extra closing stages, 2nd of 10, 2 1/4l behind Instant Impacked (9-12) at Gowran Park 2m 2f Handicap Chase (Grade B) (5yo+) sft in Mar.
Leavethelighton (IRE) 10-1 (11-6) Chased leaders and 7th halfway, pushed along and detached 4 out, closer in 11th 3 out and progress to lead before next, soon ridden and kept on under pressure run-in, headed close home, 2nd of 15, 3/4l behind Sort It Out (10-7) at Gowran Park 2m 4f hcp hdl hvy in Mar.
Operating (IRE) 7-2 (11-7) Soon tracked leaders, close up when slight mistake 4 out, gained narrow lead 3 out, strongly pressed on stand's side rail run-in, kept on best close home, won at Cork 2m 4f amat beg chs in Apr beating Kashline (11-9) by 2 1/4l, 13 ran.
The Romford Pele (IRE) 12-1 (10-6) Mid-division, mistake 4th, lost place when mistake 2 out, stayed on flat, no impression on leaders, 6th of 14, 8l behind Brother Brian (10-7) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp hdl (2) gd in Apr.
Ballinvarrig (IRE) 11-4 (11-9) Held up in touch, mistake 4th, mistake 9th and chased leaders soon after, pushed along before 3 out, mistake 4 out, soon ridden, went 2nd and mistake 3 out, soon driven and no chance with easy winner, went right 2 out, 2nd of 10, 10l behind Present View (11-8) at Kempton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft in Feb.
Kylecrue (IRE) 7-1 (11-0) Led, slight mistake 9th and headed, mistake next, soon disputed, headed 6 out, slight mistake 5 out, soon ridden, 4th 4 out, weakened before next, pulled up after last, in a race won by Hidden Horizons (10-3) at Downpatrick 3m 4f hcp chs 0-135 sft in Mar, 15 ran.
The Way We Were (IRE) 10-1 (10-10) Held up, closer in 9th at 5th, 7th before straight, progress to chase winner but no impression approaching last where pecked, kept on same pace run-in,, 3rd of 13, 10l behind Some Tikket (11-3) at Fairyhouse 2m 1f nov hcp chs sft in Apr.
Shamiran (IRE) 16-1 (10-2) Mid-division, chased leaders from 5th, 5th before straight, chased winner but no impression approaching last, kept on same pace,, 2nd of 13, 6l behind Some Tikket (11-3) at Fairyhouse 2m 1f nov hcp chs sft in Apr.
Playtime Ben (IRE) 33-1 (10-8) Held up towards rear, progress 4 out and disputed after next, ridden and headed after 2 out, no extra in 6th when jumped left and unseated rider last, in a race won by Usuel Smurfer (11-2) at Fairyhouse 2m 6f hcp chs 0-135 in Apr, 22 ran.
Mullaghanoe River (IRE) 18-1 (10-7) Tracked leaders, 6th halfway, slight mistake 13th, close up when fell 5 out, in a race won by Shutthefrontdoor (10-13) at Fairyhouse 3m 5f hcp chs (1) in Apr, 26 ran.
