MOUNT BENBULBEN makes his chasing debut which has been eagerly awaited. Gordon Elliott's charge beat Rebel Fitz in a Grade 2 at Navan over timber before finishing runner-up to Boston Bob in a Grade 1 there in December. He's always looked a potentially smart chaser and, though unlikely to be fully wound up, his quality can see him through. Sword Of Destiny is another very useful recruit to the bigger obstacles having easily won a Grade 3 at Cork last November on only his second start over hurdles. He's one for the future as is Lyreen Legend, placed in four graded contests over timber at the beginning of the year and winning a Grade 2 at Thurles. Banjaxed Girl is comfortably the pick of those with form over fences having been beaten narrowly by Askanna in a Fairyhouse Grade 3 in April. The Westener Boy, a winning point-to-pointer and bumper, is just the type his trainer does so well with and is another to note in an intriguing event.
Benash (IRE) 5-2 (11-12) Soon prominent, pecked 4 out, no impression under pressure in 3rd and kept on same pace from 2 out, 4th of 6, 7l behind Miradane (11-10) at Listowel 2m 1f beg chs hvy in Sep.
Carry Each Other (IRE) 3-1 (12-0) Tr ldrs, 3rd 1/2way, 2nd app str, one pced str, 2nd of 7, 4l behind Near Perfection (12-0) at Lemonfield 3m ire ptp hvy in Mar.
Castle Anshan (IRE) 9-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, 4th 6 out, ridden and no extra before 3 out, 10th of 13, well behind Devil's Elbow (11-5) at Down Royal 2m 4f beg chase gf in May.
Cloone Springs (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, never a factor, 14th of 18, 27l behind Playtime Ben (11-4) at Clonmel 2m 4f mdn hdl gd in Sep.
Followmeuptocarlow (IRE) 7-1 (11-10) Mid-division, headway after 3 out, went 3rd and ridden approaching straight, no impression and kept on one pace run-in, lost 3rd on line, 4th of 22, 4 1/2l behind Volkis O'Blue (11-3) at Punchestown 2m 6f hcp hdl 80-95 hvy in Feb.
Lord Lir (IRE) 25-1 (11-7) Mid-division, 8th 5f out, ridden and no impression from 3f out, 6th of 18, 14l behind Seefood (11-7) at Clonmel 2m 4f N H flat gf in Sep.
Mattara (IRE) 20-1 (11-2) Soon mid-division, 7th approaching 3 out, progress approaching next, 7th again and kept on same pace from last, 7th of 14, 17l behind Whiskey And Red (10-10) at Downpatrick 2m 7f hcp hdl 80-102 gd in Sep.
Mount Benbulben (IRE) 11-1 (11-7) Mid-division, took keen hold, not fluent 3rd, headway 8th, weakened after 2 out, 7th of 20, 20l behind Brindisi Breeze (11-7) at Cheltenham 3m nov hdl Grade 1 (1) gd in Mar.
Panther Claw (IRE) Evens (12-0) Mid div, 4th halfway, prog to join ldrs 2out, qknd bef last, easily, won at Rathcannon 3m ire ptp sft in Feb beating O Rahilly Row (12-0) by 6l, 15 ran.
Prince Rudi (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) Soon mid-division, chased leaders from 4 out, no impression in 5th and kept on same pace from before 2 out, 5th of 12, 12l behind Caim Hill (10-13) at Bellewstown 2m 4f hcp hdl in Aug.
Sweeney Tunes 66-1 (11-3) Always towards rear, tailed off, 12th of 16, well behind Askanna (11-1) at Punchestown 3m nov hdl G2 (1) gd in May '11.
Sword Of Destiny (IRE) Evensfav (11-0) Waited with, closed to track leaders from 4 out, challenged next, soon led and clear from before 2 out, stayed on well, very easily, won at Cork 3m nov hdl Grd 3 (1) sft in Nov beating Farrells Fancy (11-0) by 7l, 6 ran.
Boss Croaker (IRE) 14-1 (10-5) Soon mid-division, closed travelling well straight, ridden to challenge around bypassed last, soon led and stayed on well, won at Cork 3m hcp hdl 80-109 gd in May beating Wellforth (11-8) by 2 1/2l, 22 ran.
Lyreen Legend (IRE) 9-2 (11-10) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden to lead briefly entering straight, soon joined and narrowly headed before last, no impression in 3rd run-in, kept on one pace, 3rd of 8, 2 1/2l behind Dedigout (11-10) at Punchestown 2m 4f nov hdl Grade 1 (1) hvy in Apr.
Merrydown Vintage (IRE) 50-1 (11-10) Towards rear, fell 6th, in a race won by Special Tiara (11-10) at Ballinrobe 2m 1f beg chs sft in Sep, 14 ran.
Present Potential (IRE) 7-1 (11-4) Chased leader in 2nd, disputed after 2 out, ridden and no extra approaching last, kept on one pace, 7th of 15, 19l behind Heaney (11-4) at Downpatrick 2m 7f mdn hdl in Jul.
The Westener Boy (IRE) 4-9fav (11-12) Prominent, led from before 4th, travelling well after 3 out, ridden and strongly pressed after next, joined at last, headed early run-in, no extra close home, 2nd of 19, 2l behind Forty Foot Tom (11-9) at Gowran Park 2m 4f mdn hdl sft in May.
Banjaxed Girl 11-8fav (11-7) Prominent, in front at 7th, joined before 2 out, soon headed and no impression, kept on same pace, 4th of 14, 22l behind Definite Class (11-7) at Kilbeggan 2m 4f mrs beg chs gd in May.
Popaflora 33-1 (11-5) Towards rear, brought down 7th, in a race won by Argocat (10-13) at Limerick 2m 3f beg chs sft, 15 ran.
Happy New Year (IRE) 22-1 (11-12) Mid-division, no impression before 4 out, kept on one pace straight, 7th of 15, 38l behind Argocat (10-13) at Limerick 2m 3f beg chs sft.
Baily Dusk (IRE) 33-1 (11-12) Rear of mid-division, 8th before 2 out, ridden and no impression last, 8th of 15, 33l behind Weslife (11-7) at Galway 2m 6f beg chs sft in Sep.
