disputed lead early, soon raced in 3rd, improved and on terms before 3 out where bad mistake, soon narrowly headed, gained narrow lead from last and stayed on best
soon disputed lead, slight mistake 8th, led before 2 out, narrowly headed from last, kept on well without quite matching winner
soon disputed lead, headed before 3 out, soon no extra and weakened
waited with, chasing leaders in 3rd when fell 4th
waited with, in rear and slight mistake 2nd, pushed along briefly after 11th, pushed along again after next, closed approaching straight, 3rd 2 out, no extra and one pace after
SPADES ARE TRUMPS was impressive when beating Definite Plan over the trip at Kilbeggan and a big run from the runner-up in the previous race would enhance his claims. The Dabbler was running in tough handicaps earlier in the year and put that experience to good use when landing a beginners' chase at Ballinrobe in August. Winning bumper and hurdler Golden Spread has so far disappointed over fences and will need to raise his game, as will Clondaw Secret, a winner between the flags and over timber who was beaten a long way on his chasing bow at Galway.
The Dabbler (IRE) 2-1fav (12-0) Chased leader, not fluent at 7th, 5th after 9th, progress in 3rd before 2 out, ridden into 2nd run-in, soon switched left, ran on well to lead close home, won at Ballinrobe 2m 7f gd in Aug beating Wa Wa (12-0) by 1/2l, 10 ran.
Clondaw Secret (IRE) 40-1 (12-0) Mid-division and 6th from halfway, slightly hampered 4 out and took closer order in 3rd from next, dropped to 4th and not fluent last, no extra and weakened run-in, 7th of 15, dist behind Streets Of Doyen (12-0) at Galway 2m 7f gd in Jul.
Golden Spread 11-1 (10-12) Mid-division, pushed along briefly 2nd, mistake and pushed along 9th, ridden and no extra 4 out, behind when pulled up before next, at Kilbeggan 3m 1f hcp Yielding in Aug.
Gone Galavanting (IRE) 66-1 (10-4) Rear of mid-division well off pace, no extra from 3 out, weakened, 13th of 16, dist behind Kilashee (11-0) at Listowel 2m 4f hcp Good - Yielding in Sep.
Jimli's Island 200-1 (12-0) Led, ridden and headed approaching 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off, 9th of 12, dist behind Hurricane Georgie (10-11) at Downpatrick 2m 2f Yielding - Soft in Sep.
Spades Are Trumps (IRE) 9-2 (12-0) Towards rear, not fluent 8th, 6th from 5 out, took closer order from next, not fluent 3 out and improved to lead after next, pushed along and kept on well run-in, comfortably, won at Kilbeggan 3m 1f Yielding in Aug beating Definite Plan (12-0) by 6l, 8 ran.
