tracked leaders, closer in 3rd on inner 3 out, ridden in 3rd from next, 2nd before last, swished tail once after last, kept on same pace inside final furlong
always towards rear, not fluent at 2nd and 3rd and reminders, no impression from 4 out, never a factor
towards rear, 6th 4 out, ridden in 5th 2 out, soon no impression
tracked leaders, 3rd 4 out, went 2nd next, ridden before 2 out, dropped to 3rd entering straight, kept on same pace run-in
in rear, slight mistake 6th and soon pushed along, no impression from 4 out, never a factor, eased straight
led, headed and slight mistake 5 out, soon ridden and weakened
tracked leader in 2nd, improved to lead 5 out, ridden 2 out, soon pressed, stayed on well run-in
BENDALA BLEU returned from a break to score over this trip at Listowel, when The Mooch was nine lengths behind, and a 5lb rise shouldn't prevent another big effort so he looks the one to be on. Dandridge won a fast-ground novice chase at Tramore and started favourite on testing going at Ballinrobe where he was still in the lead but being pressed when falling two out. Corrigs won a novices' handicap at Clonmel but that was over three miles so this looks on the short side. Off The Mark showed a bit more promise at Ballinrobe last week and is on a decent mark for his handicap debut over fences.
Dandridge 3-1fav (11-6) Chased leader, left in lead 6th, pushed along and pressed approaching 2 out when fell, at Ballinrobe 2m 1f hcp Yielding - Soft in Aug.
Corrigs (IRE) 10-1 (11-3) Mid-division, closer in 4th 4 out, ridden in 5th next, no impression, 5th of 10, 12 1/4l behind A Decent Excuse (11-3) at Tramore 2m 6f hcp gf in Aug.
Give Me A Break (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) Soon tracked leaders, pushed along after 4 out, bad mistake 2 out, one pace, 7th of 14, 15 3/4l behind Harangue (11-11) at Roscommon 2m 5f hcp gd in Aug.
The Mooch (IRE) 13-2 (12-2) Led, headed before 6th where slight mistake, 2nd halfway, ridden in 4th entering straight, no impression from 2 out, kept on one pace, 4th of 8, 9 1/4l behind Bendala Bleu (11-1) at Listowel 2m 1f hcp sft in Sep.
Off The Mark (IRE) 25-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, hampered 3rd, left 5th at 6th, ridden in 4th 3 out, no impression before next, mistake 2 out and left moderate 3rd, kept on one pace, 3rd of 14, 13 1/2l behind Bashful Beauty (11-12) at Ballinrobe 2m 1f sft in Sep.
Willow Grange (IRE) 12-1 (10-3) Soon chased leaders, closer order from 5th, 5th from 7th, mistake 10th, 2nd 3 out, no extra into straight, one pace, 5th of 9, 19 3/4l behind Kalico Kalista (9-10) at Listowel 2m 4f hcp Soft - Heavy in Sep.
Whisky Galore 20-1 (10-4) Prominent, pushed along before 7th, reminders 9th, dropped to 8th before straight, one pace, 8th of 19, 21 1/2l behind Steel Wave (10-6) at Galway 2m 4f hcp gd in Sep.
Bendala Bleu 11-2 (11-1) Settled behind leaders early, towards rear from halfway, progress 3 out, ridden in 3rd entering straight, 2nd 2 out, stayed on to lead before last, kept on well run-in, won at Listowel 2m 1f hcp sft in Sep beating Mark Me Up (11-3) by 3/4l, 8 ran.
