soon prominent, pecked 4 out, no impression under pressure in 3rd and kept on same pace from 2 out
led, clear early, joined 4 out and not as quicker winner or at next, struggling in 2nd before straight, hit 2 out, closed but not quite get to winner closing stages
prominent early, dropped off the pace 4th, soon behind and no danger, completely tailed off
soon prominent, keen hold, slight peck 6 out, disputed lead and quick jumps 4 out and next, soon led and going best before straight, mistake last, reduced lead closing stages and eased near line
soon behind, pulled up approaching 6 out
waited with, well off the pace towards rear, ridden to close in 4th before straight, no impression and kept on same pace from 2 out
This looks a bit more competitive that the first division but Ruby Walsh can come out on top again on BENEFFICIENT. Successful in the Grade 1 Deloitte Hurdle at Leopardstown in February, he went on to run at both Cheltenham and Punchestown and should take a high rank among this season's novice chasers. Betterthanalright and Miradane have already shown promise over fences, as has Benash though John Carr's is a bit more exposed than some of these. Noras Fancy won a mares' Listed hurdle at Limerick in March and likes the mud but this isn't the easiest of introductions over fences.
Benash (IRE) 20-1 (11-1) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, ridden in 4th approaching 2 out, soon no extra, 13th of 20, 29l behind Rebel Fitz (11-5) at Galway 2m hcp hdl sft in Aug.
Benefficient (IRE) 20-1 (11-10) Led, jumped left, awkward 1st and 4 out, headed after 2 out and soon no extra, 7th of 8, 46l behind Dedigout (11-10) at Punchestown 2m 4f nov hdl Grade 1 (1) hvy in Apr.
Betterthanalright (IRE) 9-2 (11-12) Chased leader, led 3rd, headed 6 out, ridden in 3rd after last, no extra in 5th entering straight, kept on one pace, 5th of 15, 18l behind Weslife (11-7) at Galway 2m 6f beg chs sft.
Miradane 6-1 (11-9) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden in 6th 3 out, under pressure in 4th 2 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 15, 6l behind House Rules (11-12) at Killarney 2m 1f beg chs sft in Aug.
Man Turk Lady (IRE) 28-1 (11-7) Soon mid-division, moderate 4th approaching 7th, no extra approaching 3 out, 6th of 9, well behind Belle Brook (11-7) at Cork 2m 4f mrs beg chs hvy in Jan.
Noras Fancy (IRE) 7-1 (11-4) Always prominent, led before 2 out, soon joined, quickly in front again and stayed on well under pressure from last, won at Limerick 2m mares listed nov hdl (1) hvy in Mar beating Madam Bovary (11-1) by 2 3/4l, 10 ran.
