led, joined 4 out, jumped right and slightly slow 3 out, soon headed and ridden in 3rd, no impression next, weakened before last
settled behind leaders in 3rd, improved to challenge 3 out, ridden in 2nd before next, stayed on to press leader run-in, no extra closing stages and kept on same pace
chased leader in 2nd, improved to dispute 4 out, ridden to lead after 3 out, asserted before last, pressed run-in and kept on well under pressure closing stages
held up in 4th, slight mistake 6th, rear and ridden 4 out, no impression next, soon no extra and weakened, tailed off
held up in rear, 4th 4 out, ridden and no impression 3 out, no extra next and weakened
Val De Ferbet won last year’s renewal but hasn’t scored since and finished a long way behind MALA BEACH at Down Royal recently. Gordon Elliott’s charge is clear at the weights and looks the one to beat in this. Sumos Novios won a handicap at Wexford last time but has still has plenty to find on these terms while West Bridge and The Winkler have even tougher tasks and the latter was pulled-up behind the selection last time.
Val De Ferbet (FR) 7-1 (11-4) Soon raced in 2nd, 3rd from 5th, 2nd again approaching 12th, pushed along approaching 3 out in 3rd, dropped to last at final fence, no extra, last of 4, 23 1/2l behind Mala Beach (11-0) at Down Royal 3m 2f hvy in Mar.
Mala Beach (IRE) 4-9fav (11-0) Soon in rear, went 2nd approaching 3 out where on terms, soon led and asserted, stayed on well, easily, won at Down Royal 3m 2f hvy in Mar beating Bonny Kate (10-7) by 9 1/2l, 4 ran.
Sumos Novios (IRE) 3-1jfav (11-10) Tracked leader, 2nd halfway, headway to dispute before 3 out, pushed along and led entering straight, ridden after 2 out, under pressure and kept on well run-in, won at Wexford 2m 6f hcp hvy in Mar beating Undressed (10-1) by 3/4l, 9 ran.
The Winkler (IRE) 25-1 (10-4) Always towards rear, no impression from 7 out, pulled up before 5 out, at Navan 3m hcp Soft - Heavy in Nov.
West Bridge (IRE) 14-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, closer approaching straight, pushed along and no impression after 2 out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 5, 5 1/4l behind Youcantcallherthat (11-0) at Limerick 2m 7f (1) hvy in Mar.
