held up behind leaders, 6th halfway, headway into 4th 5 out, ridden after 4 out, no extra before straight, kept on one pace
led, ridden and headed before 3 out, soon no extra and kept on one pace
chased leaders in 3rd, 2nd before 5 out, improved to lead before 3 out, ridden and challenged 2 out, narrowly headed before last, mistake last, no extra run-in, kept on same pace
chased leader in 2nd, ridden and weakened approaching 5 out, completely tailed off
settled behind leaders early, soon held up in rear, headway into 3rd 5 out, pushed along to challenge 2 out, soon back on bridle and narrow lead travelling well before last, bad mistake last, soon recovered, asserted run-in, cosily
held up behind leaders, 5th halfway, ridden and no extra 4 out
settled behind leaders, 4th halfway, ridden and dropped to rear 5 out, soon no extra, pulled up before 2 out
Qhilimar was a useful handicap chaser for Charlie Longsdon and having switched to the Adrian Maguire yard, he makes a belated debut over hurdles. Despite those previous achievements, he is up against some smart recruits here and ROAD TO RICHES ticks the right boxes. Realising £155,000 at the Cheltenham sales in May, the five-year-old represents the stable that won this race last season, and having won his two starts under Rules so far, his point-to-point form suggests that this step up in trip should be of no concern. Jessica Harrington's string are in good form so previous C&D winner, Beachdale Lad cannot be ruled out. Dushrembandt is also a winner over C&D though he proved disappointing when tried in this grade on his most recent start.
Free To Dream (IRE) 20-1 (11-3) Chased leaders, 3rd before 3 out, kept on same pace from next, 5th of 9, 10l behind Our Vinnie (11-0) at Cork 3m nov hdl Grd 3 (1) in Nov.
Beachdale Lad (IRE) 7-1 (11-2) Slight mistake 1st, chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden in 6th and no extra before straight, kept on one pace, 5th of 9, 29l behind Zuzka (10-9) at Limerick 2m 5f nov hdl Grd 3 (1) sft in Oct.
Dushrembrandt (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Keen hold, waited with, 7th before 2 out, soon no impression under pressure, kept on same pace, 6th of 9, 12l behind Our Vinnie (11-0) at Cork 3m nov hdl Grd 3 (1) in Nov.
Qhilimar (FR) 10-1 (10-11) Mid-division, weakened 6 out, pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Raz De Maree (10-4) at Limerick 3m hcp chs sft in Oct, 14 ran.
Road To Riches (IRE) 1-6fav (11-12) Tracked leader in 2nd, led 5 out, clear advantage entering straight, pushed out from before last where reduced lead, ridden run-in and kept on well, won at Punchestown 2m 4f mdn hdl hvy in Nov beating Pride Ofthe Parish (11-12) by 2 1/4l, 7 ran.
The Crafty Butcher (IRE) 4-7fav (11-12) Tracked leaders in 3rd, 2nd when blundered 4 out, challenged approaching straight but headed by winner before 2 out, no impression approaching last and kept on one pace, 2nd of 7, 6l behind Steady Ed (11-12) at Limerick 2m 5f mdn hdl hvy in Nov.
