niggled along to jump off, soon tracked leader, dropped to 4th before 2nd, 3rd at 4th, 4th at 8th, headway before 4 out, progress to 2nd before 3 out where not fluent, no impression 2 out, one paced
in touch, 3rd at 2nd, 4th at 4th, closed at 6th, led after 7th, increased advantage at 8th, reduced lead 3 out, travelled well and asserted before 2 out, clear last, easily
in touch, led before 2nd, headed at 5th, dropped to 4th at 6th, improved to 2nd at 8th, 3rd before 3 out, ridden after 3 out, no impression, one paced 2 out
led, headed before 2nd, led at 5th, headed after 7th, not fluent in 3rd at 8th, dropped to rear and detached before 4 out, weakened 3 out, completely tailed off
Lieutenant Highway makes a quick reappearance after a comfortable victory at Roscommon but takes on much better rivals here. SALDIER, a Grade 1 winner over hurdles and successful in the 2021 Galway Hurdle, was first past in a Killarney novices' chase but lost the race on appeal. He still has room for improvement and can recoup losses though Watch House Cross was impressive over the minimum here last month and should do even better over this trip. Effernock Fizz has much more experience than these rivals and though he's only won once over fences he's been placed on numerous occasions and is well suited by the race conditions.
Saldier (FR) 7-4fav (11-10) Tracked leaders, slow and reminder 4th, soon dropped towards rear, closer in 4th from 7th, challenged 3 out, disputed and mistake next, soon ridden to lead narrowly, strongly pressed and jumped right last, soon joined, kept on well, just prevailed at line, won at Killarney 2m 7f Good - Yielding in May beating Vina Ardanza (11-4) by ns, 7 ran.
Watch House Cross (IRE) 11-4 (11-6) Tracked leader in 2nd, mistake 5th, closer 3 out and soon pressed leader, led entering straight, slight mistake 2 out, ridden before last, stayed on well, won at Wexford 2m Yielding in May beating Senecia (11-12) by 3 3/4l, 6 ran.
Effernock Fizz (IRE) 13-2 (10-13) Tracked leader, 2nd halfway, disputed lead 8th and led after next, slight mistake 4 out and headed, 3rd and pushed along entering straight, soon no impression, kept on one pace, 3rd of 4, 13l behind Easy Game (11-12) at Listowel 2m 3f Good - Yielding in Jun.
Deo Bellator (IRE) 50-1 (11-1) Always towards rear, never a factor, 9th of 13, 23l behind True Destiny (11-8) at Sligo 2m 4f hcp gd in Jun.
Lieutenant Highway (IRE) 11-8 (11-2) Made all, not fluent 1st, 2nd and 3rd, went 3 lengths clear from 3 out, pushed along and extended advantage from next, eased close home, won at Roscommon 2m gd in Jun beating Roseys Hollow (10-9) by 9 1/2l, 3 ran.
