led and disputed, ridden and headed before 2 out, no extra and kept on same pace
settled behind leaders, 5th halfway, ridden into close 3rd 2 out, no extra before last, kept on same pace
chased leaders early, 7th halfway, pushed along before 4 out, ridden and no impression 3 out, weakened
chased leaders, 4th halfway, 3rd 4 out, improved to challenge 2 out, ridden to narrow lead last, kept on well run-in
towards rear, ridden and no impression 3 out, weakened, mistake last
settled behind leaders, 6th halfway, no extra after 3 out, eased
held up, last halfway, closer in 7th 4 out, ridden in 5th and no impression entering straight, kept on one pace
chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden in 4th when bad mistake 3 out, soon no extra and eased
led and disputed, ridden in 2nd 3 out, led entering straight, challenged 2 out, narrowly headed last, no extra run-in, kept on same pace
Blazing Beacon was conceding De Valira 3lb when beaten a couple of lengths by that rival before a facile victory at Navan where his main rivals failed to complete. De Valira has since run very well over a trip just too short in a Roscommon Grade 3 and looks a threat to all. Lucky William looked a novice to follow with an impressive debut success at Listowel but he was receiving 11lb from SHINROCK PADDY when the latter won a Grade 3 over timber at Naas in January and Paul Nolan's high-class hurdler is one of the season's more exciting recruits to the bigger obstacles. Rathlin is another newcomer to note while Sorceror and Nakajima Nate have shown enough over fences to make their presence felt in an interesting contest.
Blazing Beacon (IRE) 9-10fav (11-9) Disputed early, soon chased leader in 2nd, left in lead before 7th, left well clear 3 out, easily, won at Navan 2m 4f beg chs gd in Sep beating Magnum Force (11-12) by 30l, 6 ran.
De Valira (IRE) 15-8fav (11-1) Chased leaders, closer in 5th halfway, went 2nd after 2 out travelling well, no impression under pressure run-in, kept on same pace, 3rd of 9, 1 1/4l behind St Devote (11-1) at Roscommon 2m nov chs (1) sft in Sep.
Imperial Shabra (IRE) 25-1 (10-10) Chased leaders, plenty to do from before 4 out, no impression and kept on same pace from before straight, 3rd of 4, 8l behind West With The Wind (11-8) at Limerick 2m 1f chs Grd 3 (1).
Lucky William (IRE) 8-11fav (11-12) Close up, keen hold, soon led, joined before 6th, headed 3 out, remained close up, led again before 2 out, soon joined, going best when left clear last, won at Listowel 2m beg chs hvy in Sep beating Hans Crescent (11-12) by 9l, 10 ran.
Nakajima Nate (IRE) 14-1 (11-1) Towards rear, closer in 7th halfway, headway to dispute when left in front after 3 out, mistake and headed next, ridden in 3rd approaching last, kept on well under pressure run-in without reaching winner, 2nd of 9, 3/4l behind St Devote (11-1) at Roscommon 2m nov chs (1) sft in Sep.
Rathlin 4-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders in moderate 3rd, not fluent at 1st, ridden from 3 out, soon no impression in moderate 4th, slight mistake last, 5th of 7, 30l behind Shot From The Hip (11-12) at Punchestown 2m nov hdl G2 (1) gd in May.
Shinrock Paddy (IRE) 7-2 (11-10) Settled behind leaders, 7th halfway, ridden in 6th entering straight, kept on same pace in 5th last, no impression leaders, 5th of 9, 6l behind Voler La Vedette (11-3) at Navan 2m 5f hdl G2 (1) hvy in Feb.
Sorceror (FR) 11-4fav (11-12) Chased leaders, well off pace, closer in 3rd before 2 out, challenged in 2nd from before last and soon led, held head very high run-in, driven out, won at Ballinrobe 2m beg chs hvy in Sep beating Celtic Wish (11-12) by 2 3/4l, 13 ran.
Whodoyouthink (IRE) 33-1 (10-11) Reminders early and always under pressure in rear, some modest late headway from 2 out, 11th of 19, 32l behind Johnny McGeeney (10-0) at Punchestown 2m ext hcp hdl gd in May.
