chased leader in 2nd, led before 5th, challenged briefly before 2 out, pushed out to assert run-in, comfortably
always towards rear, pulled up before last
chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden in 5th 3 out, kept on one pace from before straight
always towards rear, pulled up before 2 out
chased leaders, 3rd halfway, 2nd before 4 out, ridden in 4th after 3 out, no extra, weakened straight
settled behind leaders, mistake 4th, 6th halfway, headway into 4th 4 out, improved to 2nd after 3 out, challenged briefly before 2 out, ridden in 2nd after 2 out, no impression winner and kept on same pace
mid-division, 7th halfway, ridden in 6th 3 out, soon no extra and weakened
mid-division, 5th halfway, mistake 5th, 3rd before 4 out, ridden after 3 out, kept on one pace under pressure from before straight
led, headed before 5th, weakened before 4 out, pulled up before 2 out
held up towards rear, no impression in moderate 7th 3 out, soon no extra and weakened
FOILDUBH is much better known as a chaser and hasn't raced over hurdles since December 2010 but he's rated 20lb lower over the smaller obstacles so is handed the vote. Battling Boru generally races over further but his last success came over this trip though he's now 10lb higher. Scots Gaelic has improved on the Flat this summer so could be nicely in as he reverts to hurdling. Colls Corner won easily over fences at Listowel and is suited by testing ground. He's not the most consistent of performers but has an obvious chance in these conditions. Denis Hogan places his horses to their best effect and though Luke's Benefit hasn't been seen since March the market should tell us if he's ready.
Foildubh (IRE) 5-1 (11-10) Mid-division, 7th halfway, good headway to challenge entering straight and led briefly, headed approaching last, 2nd when hit last, hampered by faller and unseated rider, in a race won by Like Your Style (10-3) at Punchestown 2m 5f hcp chs sft in May, 12 ran.
Free World (FR) 11-1 (10-6) Mid-division, hit 5th, weakened before 3 out, behind when pulled up before last, in a race won by Edgardo Sol (11-0) at Aintree 2m hcp chs G3 (1) gs in Apr, 13 ran.
Mart Lane (IRE) 10-1 (10-8) Soon mid-division, 8th halfway, kept on same pace under pressure straight, 10th of 15, 20l behind Baily Green (10-9) at Killarney 2m 1f hcp hdl sft in Sep.
Dariak (FR) 10-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, 3rd 3 out, ridden and no impression before next, 3rd of 14, 29l behind Allee Garde (11-12) at Clonmel 2m 4f beg chs hvy in Dec.
Battling Boru (IRE) 10-3 (11-7) Held up well off strong pace in 6th, ridden to go 4th approaching 2 out, 3rd but no impression on winner before last, kept on one pace, 3rd of 7, 16l behind Raggletagglegypsy (11-5) at Tramore 2m hcp hdl 8Evens23 hvy in Aug.
Scots Gaelic (IRE) 10-1 (11-9) Towards rear, well off pace, under pressure 6 out, closed into 3rd before 3 out, soon struggling and no extra approaching straight, tailed off, 6th of 7, well behind Spring Heeled (11-12) at Limerick 2m 4f nh nov hdl gd in Apr.
Coldstonesober (IRE) 33-1 (10-9) In rear when badly hampered 1st, always trailing after, pulled up before 6 out, in a race won by Sea Of Thunder (11-0) at Clonmel 3m nov chs gf in Sep, 8 ran.
Colls Corner (IRE) 7-1 (11-3) Chased leaders, 4th approaching 4 out, led from next and went clear approaching straight, stayed on well, won at Listowel 2m 1f hcp chs 0-123 hvy in Sep beating Instant Impacked (10-9) by 8l, 10 ran.
Luke's Benefit (IRE) 8-1 (11-5) Prominent, pushed along to lead before 3 out, headed 2 out and soon no impression, 7th of 20, 24l behind Owennacurra Milan (11-7) at Gowran Park 2m hcp hdl 80-109 sft in Mar.
Save My Blushes 10-1 (11-12) Mid-division, 10th 5 out, no impression from next, 10th of 16, well behind Credit Box (10-9) at Ballinrobe 2m 4f hcp hdl 80-109 sft in Sep.
