disputed early until led 2nd, jumped well, joined approaching 2 out where left clear, kept on well under hands and heels, easily
tracked leaders, slow 4 out, pushed along 3 out, ridden and no impression in 3rd before 2 out where hampered and left 2nd, kept on one pace
always behind, not fluent jumping, detached after 5th, ridden and no impression when fell 3 out
chased leaders, slight mistake 5 out, pushed along 3 out, ridden and no impression before 2 out where left 3rd, kept on one pace
disputed early until headed before 2nd, tracked leader after, pushed along to challenge approaching 2 out where over-jumped and fell
tracked leaders, slight mistake 5 out, ridden and no impression before 2 out where hampered, 4th and no extra before last
Ballyegan Hero is the only one of these with an official rating having achieved 116 when a very good second in a Limerick handicap in September. He reappeared with a fine effort over hurdles back there last month and his experience should see him in the firing-line. ANDALUSA landed a novices' hurdle at Clonmel in March and made a very satisfactory debut over fences when tackling 2m5f here last month where she matched strides with the winner until the closing stages. That should have brought her on enough to take this though Mystery Stowaway enters the fray in excellent form having landed a Limerick maiden hurdle by 33 lengths three weeks ago. Gun Merchant and Cats For Cash represent Gordon Elliot with the former looking to have the advantage but Shamad may do better over a longer trip.
Andalusa (FR) 15-8fav (11-6) Soon led narrowly, headed before 3rd, led at 4th, asserted before 5th, headed before 6th, led at 9th, headed before 11th where not fluent, disputed after 12th, not fluent at next, led 3 out where mistake, soon headed,, 3rd of 12, 5 3/4l behind Waitnsee (11-7) at Tramore 2m 5f gd in Jul.
Ballyegan Hero (IRE) 25-1 (11-10) Soon tracked leaders, a little slow at 1st and at times after, on terms from 3 out, led travelling smoothly approaching straight, under pressure after 2 out, headed run-in and kept on without matching winner, 2nd of 14, 1 1/4l behind Sean Says (10-12) at Limerick 2m 4f hcp Yielding in Jul.
Cats For Cash (IRE) 20-1 (11-12) Tracked leader in 2nd, bad mistake 10th, soon weakened, trailing when pulled up before 3 out, 7th of 10, dist behind The Caddy Rose (11-5) at Navan 2m 4f gd in Sep.
Gun Merchant 3-1 (12-0) Prominent, slight mistakes 3rd and 4th, closer in 3rd after 7th, pushed along briefly after 3 out, pushed along again approaching 2 out, soon one pace, 4th of 8, 9 1/4l behind Nero Rock (11-6) at Sligo 2m 4f mdn gd in Aug.
Mystery Stowaway (IRE) 8-15fav (11-9) Prominent towards outer, slight mistake 2nd, led approaching 7th, travelling smoothly approaching straight and went on, stayed on well from before 2 out, very easily, won at Limerick 2m 4f mdn Yielding in Jul beating Hill Of Truth (11-9) by 33l, 15 ran.
Shamad (IRE) 16-1 (9-2) Soon mid-division, some headway straight, soon one pace, 11th of 12, 5 1/2l behind Ambitious Approach (8-12) at Sligo 1m 2f hcp gd in Aug.
