held up in 5th, slightly adrift of field from 7th, ridden and no impression from 3 out, went remote 4th run-in
tracked leaders in 3rd, progress after 3 out, led 2 out, soon ridden clear, stayed on well from last
tracked leader in 2nd, disputed lead after 3 out, ridden and headed 2 out, no extra from last
led, joined after 3 out, soon ridden, headed 2 out, soon weakened, dropped to remote 5th run-in
tracked leaders in 4th, ridden entering straight, went 2nd before last, kept on without reaching winner
An interesting contest and though bumper winner Sizing Gold is thrown in at the deep end he's certainly one to note for future reference. Galway winner Shrapnel and Reafadda both have decent form but are probably a little more exposed than some. Benevolent was way below his best at Wexford last month but should be suited by this step up in distance and Seriatim came good over 3m at Punchestown and Barry Geraghty takes over the reins here. SEEFOOD got off the mark in a bumper at Clonmel in September and was even more impressive when opening his account over timber over this C&D last month. Dessie Hughes' five-year-old has got his act together now and looks capable of completing his hat-trick in this better grade.
Benevolent (IRE) 11-8fav (11-12) Tracked leader in 2nd, dropped to rear 3 out and soon no extra, eased when beaten in straight, last of 4, 43l behind Cnoc Na Sioga (11-5) at Wexford 2m nh nov hdl gd in Oct.
Seefood (IRE) 9-4 (11-12) Tracked leaders, went clear 2nd at 4th, close 2nd travelling well after 3 out, led next, stayed on strongly from last, easily, impressive, won at Fairyhouse 2m 4f mdn hdl sft in Oct beating Share Wood (10-13) by 12l, 11 ran.
Seriatim (IRE) 8-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, headway to dispute 3 out and led next, soon ridden and kept on well under pressure in straight, won at Punchestown 3m mdn hdl sft in May beating Whispering Hills (11-12) by 2 1/4l, 13 ran.
Reafadda (IRE) 4-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, niggled along in 5th approaching 4 out where a bit slow, pushed along in 3rd after 3 out, challenged in 2nd from before next, not match winner and kept on same pace run-in, 2nd of 10, 2 3/4l behind Rye Martini (11-4) at Tipperary 2m 5yo mdn hdl hvy in Oct.
Sizing Gold (IRE) 9-10fav (11-8) Tracked leaders at slow pace, 3rd before straight, 2nd from 3f out, challenged and on terms approaching final furlong, led inside last and stayed on best, won at Navan 2m N H flat sft in Feb beating Defy Logic (11-13) by 1 1/2l, 11 ran.
Shrapnel (IRE) 9-2 (11-12) Chased leader in 2nd, improved to challenge before 2 out, ridden to lead after 2 out, kept on under pressure from before last, won at Galway 2m mdn hdl in Oct beating Rory O'Moore (11-12) by 4l, 5 ran.
