led and disputed, 2nd 4 out, bad mistake and unseated rider 3 out
held up towards rear, headway into 5th 5 out, 4th and slight mistake 3 out, hampered by loose horse before straight and ridden in 5th, 4th 2 out, no extra and kept on same pace from before last, 3rd run-in
settled behind leaders, 5th halfway, dropped towards rear 4 out, ridden and no impression when mistake 3 out, weakened and tailed off
always towards rear, bad mistake 3 out, pulled up before 2 out
chased leaders, 4th halfway, 3rd from 8th, improved to challenge after 3 out, ridden in 2nd entering straight, kept on same pace from 2 out
settled behind leaders, 6th halfway, left 4th 3 out, soon ridden and no impression, 5th and mistake 2 out, pulled up before last
led and disputed, jumped left, led 4 out, challenged briefly after 3 out, ridden and went left 2 out, asserted before last, kept on strongly, eased close home
chased leaders, 3rd halfway, 4th from 8th, ridden in 6th and hampered 3 out, left 5th, no impression in 3rd entering straight, kept on one pace, 4th run-in
held up towards rear, pushed along in 7th before 3 out, 6th after 3 out, no impression
Colm Murphy has won this twice in recent years so Gates Of Rome has to be considered despite a big weight as he's generally competed at a higher level. Mister First was in cracking form earlier in the year but hasn't been able to take advantage of a lenient mark over hurdles on his latest starts. The hunter-chaser Commanchewardance went well on his two starts under Rules in the summer and, as he's only six, should make further progress and win his share though on this occasion TARQUINIUS may just have his measure. Gordon Elliott's charge has only won twice over fences but he's consistent enough at this level and arrives in decent form having been narrowly beaten over hurdles at Navan on Sunday.
Gates Of Rome (IRE) 11-2 (11-12) Chased leaders, 2nd halfway, ridden entering straight, pressed leader 2 out, challenging and every chance when bad mistake last, soon no extra and dropped to 3rd, 3rd of 6, 6l behind Deal Done (11-12) at Clonmel 2m 4f chs.
Mister First (FR) 4-1fav (11-12) Held up in rear, headway from 3 out, ridden in 3rd 2 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 13, 6l behind Lady Olwyn (11-11) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f hcp hdl 80-102 sft.
Healys Bar (IRE) 16-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, remote 5th 4 out, no impression from next, dropped to remote 5th run-in, 5th of 8, well behind Buckers Bridge (11-12) at Punchestown 2m 4f beg chs sft in Oct.
Double Seven (IRE) 9-1 (11-12) Mid-division, dropped to 8th 4 out, no impression, 7th of 10, 31l behind Mr Goodenough (11-9) at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp chs 0-116 sft in Oct.
His Highness (IRE) 7-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, headway into 3rd before straight, ridden before last, no extra in 4th after last, kept on one pace, 4th of 10, 24l behind Orpheus Valley (11-3) at Roscommon 2m 5f hcp chs hvy in Oct.
Commanchewardance (IRE) 4-1fav (9-10) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, headway into 2nd 2 out, ridden before last, mistake last, stayed on to challenge run-in, no extra in 2nd close home, 2nd of 16, 1 3/4l behind Mat Hill (9-3) at Down Royal 2m 4f hcp chs sft in Jun.
Tarquinius (FR) 5-1 (11-3) Led, chased leader after 1st, clear of field, moderate 2nd from 6th, ridden to reduce advantage 2 out, kept on from last, just held, 2nd of 10, nk behind Ballyfinboy (10-0) at Navan 2m 7f hcp hdl 80-109.
Sea Master (IRE) 14-1 (10-11) Chased leaders, no extra from before 2 out, kept on same pace, 8th of 13, 34l behind Kyle's Turn (11-7) at Down Royal 2m 6f hcp chs 0-116 gs.
Take A Shot (IRE) 16-1 (11-3) Rear of mid-division, hampered and brought down 4 out, in a race won by Saoirse Dun (9-10) at Naas 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-109, 15 ran.
