always rear, pushed along 4 out and soon no extra, behind when pulled up before 2 out
led or disputed lead, driven along and headed 2 out, dropped to 4th before last, kept on under pressure into 3rd run-in
tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, slight mistake 4 out and ridden in 5th 2 out, rallied to go 3rd at last and kept on best under pressure run-in to lead closing stages
chased leaders mainly 6th, no impression approaching straight, no threat from 2 out
tracked leaders in 5th, ridden in 4th entering straight and headway to lead soon after 2 out, strongly pressed run-in and headed closing stages
prominent and disputed lead, ridden and headed soon after 2 out, no extra run-in and dropped to 4th
settled in rear, jumped left, good headway after 4 out and disputed entering straight, led briefly 2 out where jumped badly left, headed and soon no extra in 5th
chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden approaching 3 out and no extra in 7th entering straight, pulled up before 2 out
LUKE'S BENEFIT won this a year ago and followed up under a 12lb higher mark a week later. He's been running over hurdles this season but looks to have been primed for this following a very good effort at Fairyhouse a couple of weeks ago. Itsuptoyou is still a maiden and looking a few pounds high in the weights but Hidden Present is capable of going well after a fair reappearance at Navan a fortnight ago. Whats On The Menu was well beaten at Navan last time but his earlier run behind Mount Benbulben at Fairyhouse puts him in the picture.
Any Bets (IRE) 20-1 (11-5) Always behind, 11th of 15, well behind Fever Pitch (11-8) at Clonmel 2m 4f hcp chs 0-116.
Whats On The Menu (IRE) 25-1 (11-12) Led and disputed, led from 9th, headed after 4 out, moderate 3rd 2 out, no impression, 4th of 8, 45l behind The Westener Boy (11-11) at Navan 3m beg chase hvy.
Luke's Benefit (IRE) 6-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, improved to lead after 3 out, soon ridden and strongly pressed, headed inside final furlong, kept on close home, 2nd of 10, 1l behind Speed Dial (10-7) at Fairyhouse 2m hcp hdl 80-109 sft.
Down Under (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) Rear of mid-division, no threat from 4 out, completely tailed off, 13th of 15, well behind Fever Pitch (11-8) at Clonmel 2m 4f hcp chs 0-116.
Itsuptoyou (IRE) 8-1 (10-12) Prominent, led from 4th, ridden entering straight, headed before last, soon no impression, 5th of 10, 17l behind Mr Goodenough (11-9) at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp chs 0-116 sft in Oct.
Hidden Present (IRE) 14-1 (10-1) Soon led, tended to jump right, joined 5 out, headed from next, no extra and kept on same pace approaching last, 4th of 15, 7l behind Sole Witness (11-6) at Navan 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 hvy.
Tequila Lord (IRE) 25-1 (11-7) Mistake and unseated rider 1st, in a race won by Ros Brin (11-2) at Clonmel 2m beg chs, 15 ran.
Rakamasi 7-1 (9-8) Settled towards rear, some headway on inner 5 out and 5th 3 out, soon ridden and no extra, pulled up before last, in a race won by Noras Fancy (11-6) at Thurles 2m 2f hcp chs 0-116 hvy, 9 ran.
