tracked leaders in moderate 3rd, ridden in 4th 3 out, 2nd 2 out, kept on same pace without threatening winner
led, headed 6 out, weakened straight
held up, last 4 out, soon ridden, moderate 5th 2 out, kept on into 3rd from last
held up, mistake 5 out, ridden from next, 6th 3 out, no impression
held up, closer in 4th 4 out, ridden in 3rd 3 out, soon no impression, 5th when bad mistake at last
tracked leaders, moderate 4th 6 out, ridden in 5th 3 out, no extra
tracked leader in 2nd, led from 6 out and made rest, ridden clear from 2 out, kept on well
Six of the seven entries won last time out but it should pay to stick with quality and MUIRHEAD certainly fits that bill. Noel Meade's high-class hurdler didn't win too many admirers on his chasing bow at Punchestown but that should have blown away the cobwebs and the experience won't be lost on him. Farringdon looked as though he was going places when beating the promising Alpha Ridge at Ballinrobe but he had been put in his place over timber earlier by Beau Michael and that winner has made his mark over fences having landed a Grade 3 at Tipperary for which he is penalised. None of the remainder can be discounted as jumping will probably settle the issue and Pay The Bounty completed a fine round when making a winning chasing debut at Gowran.
Beau Michael 7-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, led from 4 out, clear entering straight, stayed on well from last, easily, won at Tipperary 2m 4f nov chs (1) beating Gonebeyondrecall (11-5) by 9l, 6 ran.
Turtle Gale (IRE) 4-1 (11-12) Made all, clear before halfway, reduced advantage from 3 out, kept on well under pressure from next, won at Tramore 2m 6f hcp chs 0-95 fm in Aug beating Galway Legend (10-9) by 2 1/2l, 13 ran.
Farringdon 11-4 (10-12) Held up, progress into 4th 4 out, 3rd after 3 out, challenged last, soon led, quickened clear, comfortably, won at Ballinrobe 2m 6f chs in Sep beating Alpha Ridge (10-12) by 2 1/2l, 9 ran.
Muirhead (IRE) 2-5fav (11-12) Jumped well, settled in 4th, 3rd 5 out, 2nd before 4 out, close up and ridden after 2 out, led after last, all out to hold on near finish, won at Punchestown 2m 4f beg chs gd beating Coolavanny Gaffer (11-7) by nk, 7 ran.
Pay The Bounty 7-2fav (11-9) Tracked leaders, 6th halfway, improved into 4th 4 out, challenged from next, led at last, kept on well, won at Gowran Park 2m 4f beg chs beating Coast (11-12) by 3l, 17 ran.
Sam Adams (IRE) 16-1 (11-3) Tracked leaders in 3rd, 4th 4 out, soon ridden and lost place, no extra from next, 7th of 8, well behind War Of Attrition (11-8) at Navan 2m 5f hdl G2 sft in Feb.
Back Of The Pack (IRE) 12-1 (11-7) Always prominent, 3rd halfway, headway to lead before 6 out, driven along from before 3 out, edged left approaching last, kept on well under pressure run-in, just held on, won at Cork 2m 4f nov chs gd beating Sebadee (11-7) by shd, 7 ran.
