made all, not fluent 8th, mistake 4 out, clear from next, kept on well
tracked leaders and keen, chased winner from 2 out, kept on and always held
held up towards rear, weakened approaching 13th
held up towards rear, pushed along 12th, kept on to take 3rd flat, no impression
held up towards rear, pushed along approaching 14th, kept on from 3 out, no impression
tracked winner until 9th, weakened 13th
held up mid-division in 5th, pushed along 13th, weakened from 4 out
tracked leaders in 3rd and a little keen, chased winner from 9th, weakened 2 out, in 3rd and held when mistake last
Nonrunner
A good race in prospect with BILLIE MAGERN nominated to land it ahead of Del Rio, Bear Witness and Having Nightmares. The last-named is an interesting rules debutant, who has proved in Irish points that he both has ability and also stays well. He needs to prove himself today on the ground. Del Rio won a two miles maiden chase here on a sound surface and pedigree suggests that he may well improve for the extra mile, so he is very much respected. Bear Witness is another proven stayer in points and he showed that a chasing win does not look far away when runner-up over course and distance last time on fast ground, so success here would be no great surprise. Even so we prefer Billie Magern. The Temple Guiting raider jumped really well when winning at Stratford over a similar trip last month and with improvement to come he can defy a penalty to follow-up.
Billie Magern 3-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 8th, led approaching 4 out, ridden out, always doing enough, won at Stratford 2m 7f nov chs (4) gf in Jun beating Last Flight (10-0) by 1 1/2l, 9 ran.
Del Rio (IRE) 10-11fav (11-0) Held up in 6th, took keen hold, jumped right 2nd, headway after 6th, led 4 out, blundered badly 3 out, nearly unseated rider but great recovery, soon headed, plenty to do after, hung right after last, stayed on well to regain lead towards finish, won at Perth 2m mdn chs (5) gf in May beating Mayo Abbey (11-0) by 2 1/4l, 8 ran.
Aurifex (IRE) 9-1 (11-0) In rear and jumped right throughout, detached after 9th, soon pulled up, in a race won by Le Platino (11-0) at Wetherby 2m 6f beg chase (4) gd in Apr, 4 ran.
Chicago Grey (IRE) 7-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders in 4th, slight mistake 5 out, no extra from next, 5th of 6, well behind Mourad (11-3) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f hdl Gr3 hvy in Apr.
Corrick Bridge (IRE) 9-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, 6th halfway, headway in 5th 4 out, ridden and no extra before 3 out, 9th of 18, 29l behind Mighty Massini (11-12) at Down Royal 2m 4f beg chs sft in Nov.
Dukeofchesterwood 8-1 (11-6) Chased leaders, lost place 6th, behind from 9th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Beamazed (11-6) at Sedgefield 3m 3f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) hvy in Feb, 9 ran.
Having Nightmares (IRE) 3-1 (12-0) Ww in rr, gd prog final cct, ld 2out, went clr easily, won at Ballingarry 3m ire ptp sft in Jun beating Wildfield Witness (12-0) by 5l, 14 ran.
Queen Court (IRE) 33-1 (11-7) Prominent, lost place 7th, mistake 6 out, soon weakened, tailed off, 10th of 14, well behind Mayo Abbey (11-12) at Kilbeggan 2m 4f beg chase gd in Jun.
Bear Witness (IRE) 5-1 (11-3) Led until 5th, remained handy, driven after 3 out, chased winner next, every chance last, no impression towards finish, 2nd of 9, 2 1/4l behind Sheriff Hutton (11-12) at Perth 3m hcp chs 0-125 (3) gf in May.
