in rear, 11th after 8th, mistake in 8th 3 out, no extra from 2 out
ran 8th, reminder in 10th after 8th, soon driven in 8th, pecked 9th and dropped to rear, driven after 10th, detached and pulled up before 3 out
ran 6th, 7th after 8th, mistake in 9th 3 out, not fluent 2 out, no extra
raced 4th, 5th after 8th, dropped to 7th 3 out, mistake 2 out,no extra
prominent in 3rd, weakened quickly after 9th, pulled up after 10th
towards rear, headway to 5th after 6th, dropped to 10th after 8th, headway to 5th 3 out, ridden after 2 out, kept on well run-in to 4th, nearest finish
rear, 9th after 8th, improved to 6th on outer 3 out, progress to 4th 2 out, ridden into 3rd at last, ran on without threatening
rear of mid-division, 6th after 8th, headway to 3rd 3 out, ridden after 2 out, no impression leaders, dropped to 4th at last, kept on one pace
mid-division, progress to 4th after 8th, 6th 2 out, no impression, kept on one pace
tracked leader in 2nd, ridden after 3 out, led narrowly before 2 out, driven out after last, kept on well
led, ridden after 3 out, headed before 2 out, kept on same pace after last, not match winner
Outsiders have won the last two of these and Lord Ben will probably start a fair price as he hasn't run for almost a year since making all in a very tough handicap at Listowel. AKORAKOR (NAP) was still in the lead when falling at the last on his hat-trick bid in the Midlands National at Kilbeggan. To compound the misery, he's been raised 2lb but can still prove good enough. Gallant Tipp may have won at Tipperary but for falling at the second-last and gained compensation at Roscommon. But his jumping has left plenty to be desired in the past and is held by the selection on earlier running at Kilbeggan. A Decent Excuse bounced back to form with a comfortable victory at Tramore, though Harangue may prove the main threat as he enters the fray in top form having followed a cracking effort over hurdles at Galway with a victory over fences at Roscommon.
Lord Ben (IRE) 4-1fav (11-10) Made all, asserted 2 out, easily, won at Listowel 2m 4f hcp gd in Sep beating Back Off Mate (10-6) by 7 1/2l, 8 ran.
Art Of Logistics (IRE) 8-1 (11-2) Held up, 8th after 2nd, slight mistake next, pushed along to close before 3 out, 3rd after 2 out, kept on same pace from last,, 3rd of 10, 4 1/2l behind Savello (11-12) at Punchestown 2m 2f gd in Jun.
Akorakor (FR) 7-1fav (10-13) Led early, close up, on terms 6th, soon led, some slight mistakes, joined from before last where mistake and unseated rider, at Kilbeggan 3m 1f hcp gf in Jul.
Devils Bride (IRE) 11-2fav (11-10) Towards rear, never a factor, 16th halfway, slight mistake 9th, detached 4 out, pulled up after next, at Galway 2m 7f hcp Yielding in Jul.
Balnaslow (IRE) 5-1 (11-3) Held up, pushed along briefly after 7th, 6th 3 out, chased leaders next, no impression last, one pace, 6th of 8, 33 1/4l behind Cailin Annamh (11-3) at Galway 2m 7f sft in Aug.
Mr Fiftyone (IRE) 6-1fav (11-7) Soon chased leaders, ridden in 3rd approaching straight, kept on same pace inside final furlong, 3rd of 17, 2 3/4l behind Bally Longford (11-3) at Galway 2m 2f hcp sft in Aug.
Black Benny (IRE) 25-1 (11-11) Dwelt, soon raced in 11th, improved to chase leaders but no impression into straight, kept on same pace, 6th of 18, 13 1/2l behind Time To Inspire (11-0) at Galway 1m 4f mdn Yielding in Jul.
Gallant Tipp (IRE) 7-4fav (11-12) Tracked leaders, 2nd approaching straight, challenged 3 out where left in lead, soon clear, left further clear next, stayed on well run-in, easily, won at Roscommon 2m 5f gd in Aug beating Much Wants More (11-12) by 5 1/2l, 13 ran.
Speckled Wood (IRE) 9-1 (10-11) Chased leaders, 9th halfway, progress 2 out and 4th entering straight, soon ridden and no impression 1f out, 4th of 20, 13l behind Rogue Angel (11-2) at Galway 2m 7f hcp Yielding in Jul.
A Decent Excuse (IRE) 8-1 (11-3) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 3 out, ridden to lead before 2 out, stayed on well from last, won at Tramore 2m 6f hcp gf in Aug beating Best Value (11-3) by 4 1/2l, 10 ran.
Harangue (IRE) 6-1fav (11-11) Prominent, on terms 4 out, just led 3 out, went on next, jumped slightly left last, stayed on well run-in, won at Roscommon 2m 5f hcp gd in Aug beating Illtakeitfromhere (11-10) by 2 1/4l, 14 ran.
