in rear, closed from 5 out, good headway in 4th from 2 out, on terms before last, led and stayed on well under pressure run-in
led early, soon chased leaders, 5th before straight, kept on same pace under pressure from between last 2
towards rear, closed to be prominent from 6 out, lost place before straight, soon no extra
soon chased leaders, ridden before straight, 2nd 2 out, on terms before last, headed and kept on same pace run-in
chased leaders, closer in 2nd before straight, struggling when slight mistake 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off
soon led and clear, slight mistake 4 out, reduced lead 2 out, headed and no extra from before last
chased leaders, not fluent 4 out, 3rd 2 out, kept on same pace under pressure from before last
prominent until mistake and unseated rider 5th
Rookery Rebel runs here with a penalty after landing a beginners' chase at Down Royal on Thursday, his first success in 16 starts over fences. Rakamasi has returned to form but is now back on a high mark and will find this tough so it's THE BUCK who earns the vote. John Murphy's charge has had just three starts over fences back in 2009 and showed nothing which is why he's on a mark of 86 here. However, he's been improving over timber recently and arrives here on the back of a victory at Gowran earlier this month. Loch Na Beaste is consistent enough and not badly treated though he'd prefer faster ground.
Any Bets (IRE) 66-1 (11-12) Rear of mid-division for most, no impression before 3 out, 12th of 18, 22l behind Tawaagg (11-12) at Gowran Park 2m 2f beg chase hvy in Feb.
Convincing 14-1 (11-5) Soon towards rear, never a factor, 12th of 14, 48l behind Bobs Display (11-2) at Clonmel 2m 4f beg chase.
Foretto (GER) 5-1 (11-12) Tracked winner, ridden after 3 out, no impression approaching last, lost 2 places towards finish, 4th of 5, 7l behind Playing With Fire (11-9) at Leicester 2m nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy.
Mantell (IRE) 8-1 (11-4) Towards rear, some headway into moderate 8th after 3 out, 7th approaching straight, soon no impression and kept on same pace, 4th of 14, 17l behind Molko Jack (11-6) at Clonmel 2m Conditional Handicap Hurdle (80-95) (5yo+) hvy in Feb.
Rakamasi 11-2 (10-6) Tracked leaders, 2nd 4 out, ridden to lead after 2 out, strongly pressed and joined when left in front at last, headed inside final furlong, dropped to 3rd close home, 3rd of 13, 3 1/2l behind Gentleman Jim (11-4) at Thurles 2m 2f hcp chs 0-109 hvy in Feb.
Vision Of Glory (IRE) 20-1 (10-9) Mid-division, ridden along when blundered badly 4 out, pulled up before next, in a race won by Second Glance (11-5) at Cork 2m hcp chs 0-109 sft in Nov, 12 ran.
Loch Na Beaste (IRE) 17-2 (11-3) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, headway to dispute after 4 out, 2nd 3 out, ridden before 2 out, no impression leader, kept on same pace, 2nd of 13, 6l behind Burnt Oil Babe (11-2) at Downpatrick 2m 2f hcp chs 0-95 gd in Oct.
The Buck (IRE) 8-1 (10-8) Chased leader in 2nd, led after 3 out, ridden and kept on strongly from 2 out, clear before last, eased close home, won at Gowran Park 2m hcp hdl 80-109 hvy beating Lucky Spring (11-3) by 3l, 20 ran.
Deise Island (IRE) 50-1 (11-7) Mid-division, ridden in 10th before straight, no impression and kept on one pace, 7th of 18, 48l behind Uncle Junior (11-12) at Gowran Park 2m 4f beg chase sft.
Rookery Rebel (IRE) 3-1fav (11-12) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, good headway to go 2nd before 3 out, driven along approaching 2 out, no impression when left clear and slightly hampered after last, kept on run-in, won at Down Royal 2m beg chase sft beating Guts For Garters (11-7) by 4l, 9 ran.
