rear of mid-division, weakened 3 out, pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, ridden and weakened 3 out
chased leaders, 7th halfway, ridden and no extra before 2 out
chased leaders, 6th halfway, ridden and no extra 3 out
chased leaders, 4th halfway, 3rd before 2 out, ridden into 2nd entering straight, no impression leader last, kept on same pace
always towards rear
rear of mid-division, headway into 9th 2 out, ridden in 7th entering straight, 6th last, kept on same pace
chased leaders, led before 6th, ridden clear before last, kept on well, comfortably
mid-division, 10th 4 out, headway into 5th next, closed in 4th 2 out, ridden and no extra entering straight
mid-division, headway into 6th 2 out, ridden into 3rd entering straight, no extra in 4th last, kept on same pace
mid-division, ridden and weakened 3 out
chased leaders, 5th halfway, ridden and no extra approaching 2 out
always towards rear
led, headed before 6th, 2nd halfway, close up and ridden 2 out, no extra entering straight
towards rear, no impression from 3 out, kept on one pace
mid-division, headway into 7th 6 out, ridden into 5th entering straight, no extra last, kept on same pace
chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden and no extra approaching 2 out
held up towards rear, headway into 8th after 3 out, 5th 2 out, ridden in 4th entering straight, 3rd and no extra last, kept on same pace
mid-division, weakened before 3 out
One of the toughest races of the week, emphasised by just two successful favourites in the past 18 years. Dashing Ruby, third a year ago, has won over fences recently so will be ready for another attempt from a 2lb lower mark. Memories Of Milan has plenty to do for a five-year-old but is a very progressive type and Paul Carberry is likely to try and nurse him into contention. Royal Reveille is going well and could hardly have won more easily at Roscommon while Seader battled to victory over the minimum trip at Ballinrobe and is better over today's distance. Sparkling Tara regained his best form at Limerick though a 7lb rise won't help while Latin Connection was gaining his first success in 16 starts over timber at Downpatrick last time. ASKTHEMASTER has had very little racing over hurdles in recent years but a close second in the Grand Annual at Cheltenham showed just what a useful chaser he is. He's on a 21lb lower mark over the smaller obstacles and a chance is taken that he can make good use of the much lower mark.
Memories Of Milan (IRE) 9-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, 10th halfway, went 6th 2 out, headway into 2nd entering straight, no impression on winner from before last where mistake, kept on one pace run-in, 2nd of 25, 12l behind Oneeightofamile (11-8) at Punchestown 2m 4f cond hcp hdl 80-102 gd in May.
Sylvan Approach (IRE) 8-1 (11-5) Mid-division, progress into 3rd 5 out, ridden to dispute lead 2 out, led early run-in, kept on well, won at Gowran Park 2m 4f mdn hdl gf in Jun beating Gormanstown Cuckoo (11-12) by 3/4l, 20 ran.
Askthemaster (IRE) 9-1 (10-11) Tracked leaders, 7th halfway, close up in 6th when blundered and unseated rider 4 out, in a race won by Scotsirish (11-10) at Punchestown 2m 4f Ext hcp ch gd in May, 14 ran.
Dancera (GER) 14-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, ridden approaching 2 out, no extra in 5th before last, kept on one pace under pressure run-in, 3rd of 12, 14l behind The Real Article (11-12) at Down Royal 2m hdl gd in Jun.
Magical Memoir (IRE) 8-1 (10-12) Settled behind leaders, 5th halfway, 4th before straight, ridden and no impression 3 out, weakened, 4th of 7, 15l behind Oneeightofamile (10-13) at Cork 2m 4f hdl.
Shanrod (IRE) 20-1 (11-12) Mid-division best, never a factor, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Compton Court (10-8) at Listowel 2m 4f hcp hdl 8Evens16 gd in Jun, 16 ran.
Wise Oscar (IRE) 12-1 (11-8) Rear of mid-division, closed into 4th approaching straight, soon no impression under pressure, kept on same pace, 5th of 18, 12l behind Sparkling Tara (10-12) at Limerick 2m 5f hcp hdl 8Evens16 gd.
Royal Reveille (IRE) Evensfav (11-4) Always prominent, on terms 5 out, soon led, travelling best 3 out, went clear approaching last, stayed on well, easily, won at Roscommon 2m 4f mdn hdl gd beating Sea Master (11-4) by 12l, 15 ran.
Seader (USA) 4-7fav (11-4) Chased leaders, not always fluent jumping, closer in 3rd approaching 3 out, ridden and on terms from next, soon headed, renewed challenge from before last where disputed lead, led and stayed on best run-in, won at Ballinrobe 2m mdn hdl gs beating Minella King (11-4) by 1 1/4l, 15 ran.
Sparkling Tara 10-1 (10-12) Always prominent, led approaching straight, pressed and good jumps last 2, stayed on well run-in, won at Limerick 2m 5f hcp hdl 8Evens16 gd beating Suffren (11-7) by nk, 18 ran.
Ordinary Man (IRE) 10-1 (10-9) Towards rear, kept on same pace from before straight, 7th of 12, 21l behind Sebadee (10-10) at Killarney 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-140 gd.
Imperial Shabra (IRE) 14-1 (11-1) Prominent, mistake 2nd, no extra approaching 2 out, 10th of 11, 37l behind Fearnwood Girl (10-13) at Sligo 2m hcp hdl 8Evens16 gd.
Latin Connection (IRE) 9-4fav (11-4) Settled in rear of mid-division, 7th on inner 3 out, smooth headway to lead before next, jumped out left at final 2 hurdles, ridden and kept on well run-in to draw clear, won at Downpatrick 2m 7f mdn hdl gd beating Budtairis (11-4) by 8l, 15 ran.
Dashing Ruby (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) Settled behind leaders, moderate 4th halfway, improved after 4 out, close 4th when fell 3 out, in a race won by Casey Top (11-6) at Kilbeggan 2m 4f nov chs gf in Jun, 9 ran.
Golden Alou (IRE) 16-1 (10-10) Always towards rear, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Beneficial Spirit (10-8) at Ballinrobe 2m 6f cond hcp chs 0-109 gd in May, 11 ran.
A Hit Is A Hit (FR) 7-1 (11-12) Mid-division, 10th halfway, ridden and some headway on outer after 2 out, went 3rd at last, kept on same pace run-in, 3rd of 16, 4 1/2l behind Shabra Charity (10-8) at Down Royal 2m Maiden Hurdle (5-6yo) gd in Jun.
Island Myth (IRE) 14-1 (11-12) Fell 1st, in a race won by Essex (11-12) at Listowel 2m 3f beg chs gd in Sep, 16 ran.
The Lady Granuaile (USA) 8-1 (10-1) Soon mid-division, progress to track leaders before straight, 2nd and challenged from 2 out, on terms when jumped left last, soon no impression and kept on same pace, 4th of 15, 3 1/2l behind Regal Ambition (9-10) at Roscommon 3m hcp hdl.
Split Ear (IRE) 25-1 (11-11) Tracked leaders, weakened from 5 out, 18th of 19, well behind Uncle Taffy (11-8) at Gowran Park 2m hcp hdl 80-102 gf in Jun.
Skylancer 11-2 (11-6) Towards rear, closer in 6th approaching 2 out, kept on same pace under pressure from before last, 4th of 10, 3 1/2l behind Bean Chroi Bhriste (10-8) at Ballinrobe 2m 4f hcp hdl 80-109 gs.
Fair Dilemma (IRE) 8-1 (11-3) Always prominent, led approaching straight, pressed 2 out, stayed on well under pressure run-in, won at Killarney 2m 4f hcp hdl 80-102 gd beating Where's My Slave (11-4) by 1 1/4l, 16 ran.
Regal Obligation 10-1 (11-6) Led, clear before 4 out, reduced advantage after 3 out, ridden and headed entering straight, no extra in 2nd last, kept on same pace run-in, lost 2nd close home, 3rd of 13, 3/4l behind City Hustler (11-6) at Sligo 2m hcp hdl 80-102 gd in Aug.
Sea Master (IRE) 16-1 (9-11) Keen hold, soon tracked leaders, travelling well in 2nd before straight, challenged next, slight mistake 2 out, soon no impression under pressure, kept on same pace, 4th of 12, 15l behind Sebadee (10-10) at Killarney 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-140 gd.
