tracked leaders, slight mistakes 6th and 7th, went 2nd 3 out, disputed lead before 2 out, ridden and headed narrowly and briefly after 2 out, disputed lead approaching last, led narrowly run-in, stayed on well
always towards rear, no impression from 3 out, never a factor
tracked leaders, 5th 3 out, soon ridden and no impression
mid-division, 7th 3 out, soon ridden and no impression
always behind, no impression from 4 out, slight mistake 2 out, never a factor
mid-division, slight mistake 1st, improved into 3rd 5 out, progress to dispute lead before 2 out, ridden and led narrowly and briefly after 2 out, joined at last, headed narrowly run-in, kept on
rear of mid-division, 6th 3 out, ridden in 5th 2 out, went 3rd at last, kept on but not trouble leaders
led and clear, took keen hold, not fluent 5 out, reduced advantage and reminder 3 out, ridden and headed before 2 out, weakened
tracked leaders, went 2nd at 6th, dropped to 3rd 3 out, ridden in 3rd before 2 out, 4th at last, no impression
Orchard Road, who is bred to be smart on the Flat, has won just once over hurdles in 18 starts and makes a belated debut over fences. Beautiful Ben, three times a winner over timber, hasn't shown much over fences but has plenty of time and his yard have been ticking over nicely. Mick The Jiver makes a quick reappearance after well beaten at Gowran on Saturday but he was in very good form over timber in the spring and is expected to do much better. No Dice has shown nothing in bumpers and over hurdles but has a pedigree for jumping fences and is one to note in the market. SAM KING landed a maiden hurdle at Downpatrick then found 2m6f much too far on his chasing bow. He has run reasonably well in both subsequent starts at Downpatrick and this looks a good opportunity.
Beautiful Ben (IRE) 11-1 (11-4) Held up, 15th approaching 4th, some progress when stumbled and unseated rider after 4 out, at Gowran Park 2m hcp gd in Oct.
Black Ice (IRE) 8-1 (11-3) Mid-division, pushed along 4 out and soon weakened, pulled up before 2 out, at Ballinrobe 2m 1f hcp hvy in Apr.
Brecan Boy (IRE) 66-1 (11-12) Mid-division and 8th after 5 out, pushed along in 7th after 3 out, ridden and no impression from before last, weakened, 10th of 15, 37 1/2l behind Show And Go (11-12) at Downpatrick 2m 2f gd in Sep.
Invincible Don (IRE) 25-1 (11-12) Rear of mid-division, never a factor, detached before halfway and no extra in 8th 3 out, left moderate 7th next, 7th of 12, dist behind Sir Jack Yeats (11-12) at Tramore 2m 6f gd in Aug.
Mick The Jiver 50-1 (11-12) Towards rear, not fluent 4th, 10th approaching next, no extra approaching straight, impeded 2 out, 11th of 13, dist behind Lieutenant Colonel (11-12) at Gowran Park 2m 2f Yielding in Oct.
No Dice (IRE) 11-2 (11-12) Mid-division, 7th halfway, ridden and no impression after 3 out, 9th of 18, dist behind Balzac Turgot (11-12) at Limerick 2m mdn Good - Yielding in May.
Orchard Road (USA) 6-1fav (11-4) Mid-division, progress into 5th 2 out, improved to dispute before last, soon ridden, slight mistake last, soon headed, no extra in 3rd closing stages, kept on same pace, 3rd of 14, 2 3/4l behind L'attesa (10-6) at Kilbeggan 2m hcp gd in Sep.
Pershing 14-1 (11-1) Jumped right, led until 2 out, chased leaders, weakened before last, 5th of 7, 14 1/4l behind Jet Master (11-3) at Perth 2m hcp (4) gs in Sep.
Sam King (IRE) 4-1jfav (11-12) Mid-division and 10th after 5 out, improved into 6th 3 out and challenged on inner next, ridden in 5th after last and every chance run-in, not quicken and kept on same pace into 3rd, 3rd of 15, 8l behind Show And Go (11-12) at Downpatrick 2m 2f gd in Sep.
