Verdict

CHICAGO won three times on the Flat for Aidan O'Brien and looked certain to do well over hurdles when a close third to Minella Foru at Listowel. He can improve and take this though Some Hawk, who showed real potential in a couple of strong bumpers in April, looks a useful recruit to hurdling. Spa Hill won a bumper at Killarney in August and has performed with credit on his last two starts over timber though he finished behind Gambling Girl in a bumper at Bellewstown and the latter has since run reasonably well on the Flat at the Curragh. Newcomer Benalex Park is one to keep an eye on in the market.

Formwatch

Afootinthedoor (IRE) Milan gelding out of Bondi Storm.

Authorization 12-1 (11-0) Led and disputed early, 2nd from 4th, close up and challenged after 3 out, ridden in 2nd entering straight, no extra before last, 8th of 17, 14l behind Flaxen Flare (11-0) at Leopardstown 2m 3yo mdn hdl sft in Dec.

Benalex Park 3-1fav (9-3) Soon chased leaders, no impression under pressure and kept on same pace from over 1f out, 5th of 10, 7l behind College Boy (9-12) at Killarney 1m hcp 47-65 hvy in May (flat).

Chicago (IRE) 7-2 (11-7) Soon mid-divsion, closer in 6th approaching straight, ridden to chase first two but no impression from before last, kept on same pace run-n, 3rd of 18, 5l behind Minella Foru (11-7) at Listowel 2m 4yo mdn hdl in Sep.

Firethorn (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear and keen, ridden before 2 out, soon weakened, 9th of 10, 37l behind Castletown Bridge (10-12) at Perth 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Sep.

House Limit (IRE) 50-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, no extra approaching 3 out where mistake, tailed off, 7th of 9, well behind Djakadam (11-7) at Gowran Park 2m 4yo mdn hdl hvy in Feb.

Island Villa (IRE) 50-1 (11-7) Mistake and unseated rider 1st, in a race won by Minella Foru (11-7) at Listowel 2m 4yo mdn hdl in Sep, 18 ran.

Off The Charts (IRE) 12-1 (10-13) Waited with, progress to chase leaders 3 out, moderate 3rd and kept on same pace from next, 3rd of 17, 23l behind Sizing Platinum (11-4) at Clonmel 2m mdn hdl gs in May.

Safecracker (IRE) 33-1 (11-2) In rear, no impression from before 4 out, kept on straight, rider without irons, 10th of 17, 29l behind Pepparpot (11-7) at Cork 2m mdn hdl gf in Aug.

Some Hawk 9-1 (11-0) Mid-division, progress into 4th 3f out, soon ridden, 3rd 1f out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 22, 7l behind Very Wood (11-2) at Punchestown 2m 4yo nhf sft in Apr.

Spa Hill (IRE) 25-1 (10-9) Waited with, soon in rear of mid-division, closer in 5th approaching straight, soon no impression, kept on same pace, 6th of 12, 23l behind Lots Of Memories (10-9) at Listowel 2m 4f nh nov hdl sft in Sep.

Wisty (IRE) 20-1 (11-4) Got a little bump 1st, keen hold, waited with, moderate 8th after 3 out, no impression and kept on same pace from before next, 5th of 12, 24l behind Vicky De L'oasis (11-0) at Galway 2m 4yo mdn hdl gf in Sep.

Balrath Hope (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) Always towards rear, 16th of 18, 46l behind Minella Foru (11-7) at Listowel 2m 4yo mdn hdl in Sep.

Cool Anna (IRE) Beneficial filly out of Soranna.

Discover Wexford (IRE) King's Theatre filly out of Shuil Mavourneen.

Gambling Girl (IRE) 10-1 (10-9) Settled mid-division, headway in 6th 4f out, 2nd 3f out, led 2f out, ridden 1 1/2f out, kept on well final furlong, won at Bellewstown 2m 1f N H flat gd in Aug beating Spa Hill (11-2) by 2 1/2l, 11 ran.

Moycarkey (IRE) 25-1 (10-2) Tracked leader in 3rd, saddle slipped early, losing place when blundered 2 out, soon weakened and pulled up before last, in a race won by Massini's Trap (11-2) at Ballinrobe 2m mdn hdl gf in Aug, 15 ran.

Painted Lady (IRE) 33-1 (10-0) Led in at the start, in rear, niggled along circuit to go, no impression and kept on same pace from before straight, 6th of 10, 35l behind Tropical Three (10-12) at Listowel 2m Mares Hurdle (4-7yo) in Sep.

Posh Frock (IRE) 10-1 (9-9) Mid-division and 7th halfway, ridden in 4th and no impression on winner 2f out, moderate 3rd 1f out and kept on same pace, 3rd of 14, 10l behind Wyoyo (8-10) at Down Royal 1m 5f app hcp 47-65 gf in Sep (flat).

Red Flight (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) Always prominent, in front 4 out, headed before 2 out, soon no extra and kept on same pace, 4th of 18, 10l behind Minella Foru (11-7) at Listowel 2m 4yo mdn hdl in Sep.

Kalaroa (IRE) 25-1 (8-4) Held up towards rear, ridden in moderate 10th 3f out, no impression over 2f out, kept on one pace, 7th of 12, 26l behind Lethal Weapon (9-5) at Roscommon 1m 3f hcp 50-80 in May (flat).

My Kind Of Town (IRE) Presenting gelding out of West Hill Rose.

Minella Web (IRE) 14-1 (11-4) Prominent, in front over 4f out, headed and no extra from under 2f out, kept on same pace, 7th of 17, 15l behind Toe The Line (11-0) at Listowel 2m 4yo nhf in Sep.