mid-division, ridden in 9th 3 out, no impression, eased from next
prominent and dispute lead early, weakened from 4 out
mid-division, ridden along in 13th entering straight when badly hampered, no impression
ledm joined 5th, headed 6 out, weakened from 3 out
mid-division, closer in 6th and ridden 3 out, soon no impression
mid-division, ridden along in 11th when slipped up entering straight
tracked leaders, ridden and weakened from 3 out
towards rear, no impression from 4 out
tracked leaders, 7th and ridden 3 out, weakened quickly
towards rear, progress from 3 out, ridden in 8th entering straight, kept on same pace
mid-division, progress nto 2nd 3 out, soon ridden, no impression before next
mid-division on inner, mistake 3rd, progress to dispute lead from 5th, led 6 out, clear entering straight, soon ridden and strongly pressed, headed before last, rallied run-in to press winner to line
rear of mid-division, headway from 4 out, 5th and ridden entering straight, progress to lead before last, stayed on run-in
in rear, no impression from 4 out
tracked leaders, ridden in 3rd 3 out, soon no extra
mid-division, weakened from 4 out
in rear, some late headway without threatening from 3 out
tracked leaders, ridden in 4th 3 out, kept on same pace from next
rear of mid-division, no impression from 4 out
mid-division, progress into 5th 3 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace from next
It's rare to see a four-year-old contesting a tough handicap like this so Noel Meade must be confident of a good run from Bat Masterson, who makes a quick reappearance after last week's victory at Navan. This is tougher, however, with the likes of HEANEY and Novarov arriving at the top of their game and preference is just for the former. He's been improving with every run and was very impressive when slamming Slew Charm at Bellewstown so a 7lb rise doesn't look excessive. Novarov has been handed a massive 11lb extra for scoring easily at Galway but it will be a surprise if he doesn't get involved. Deutschland has been going well on the Flat this summer and reverts to hurdling on his lowest mark for a very long time while the brilliant novice chaser Bostons Angel is back over timber on a 15lb lower mark and it will be interesting to see how he performs.
Mossley (IRE) 16-1 (10-13) Mid-division on outside, lost place when blundered 4 out, soon pulled up, in a race won by Alfie Sherrin (10-0) at Cheltenham 3m hcp chs G3 (1) gd in Mar, 19 ran.
Novarov (GER) 9-2fav (11-5) Tracked leaders, improved to lead travelling well before 2 out, ridden clear entering straight, mistake at last, stayed on well, comfortably, won at Galway 3m hcp hdl 88-130 gd in Aug beating Bondage (10-11) by 9l, 19 ran.
Stonemaster (IRE) 25-1 (11-11) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden in 7th 3 out, no extra before straight, kept on one pace under pressure, 7th of 15, 21l behind Coole Avenue (10-4) at Listowel 3m hcp hdl hvy in Sep.
Bostons Angel (IRE) 13-2 (11-10) Chased leaders early, squeezed along 5th, dropped to last 7th, soon behind, pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Prince De Beauchene (11-3) at Fairyhouse 3m 1f chs G2 (1) sft in Feb, 8 ran.
Marlay Park (IRE) 11-4 (11-7) Chased leaders early, slow jump 5th, pushed along next, behind from 7th, pulled up before 6 out, burst blood vessel, in a race won by Agus A Vic (11-2) at Tramore 2m 6f hcp chs 0-123 hvy in Aug, 6 ran.
Tillahow (IRE) 25-1 (11-11) Always towards rear, behind when pulled up before last, in a race won by Whatever Jacksays (10-2) at Punchestown 3m Handicap Hurdle (95-130) (4yo+) hvy in Apr, 24 ran.
Deutschland (USA) 12-1 (10-13) Led, soon clear with 2nd, headed after 5th, moderate 2nd after 8th, ridden and no extra approaching 3 out, 6th of 15, 13l behind Bob Lingo (10-6) at Killarney 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-140 sft in Aug.
Hunting Tower 6-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, well off pace, slight mistake 6 out, soon struggling, 10th and no impression approaching straight, 9th of 12, 29l behind Clarach (10-13) at Limerick 2m hdl in Jul.
Persian Gayle (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) Not fluent jumping, unseated rider 5th, in a race won by Clouded Thoughts (11-9) at Limerick 2m 3f beg chase gd in May, 15 ran.
Eagle's Pass (IRE) 10-1 (11-6) Settled behind leaders, 4th halfway, pushed along in 5th 5 out, soon no extra, 6th of 7, 44l behind Fosters Cross (11-7) at Galway 2m 1f hcp chs sft in Sep.
Sebadee (IRE) 14-1 (11-3) Always towards rear, 10th of 11, well behind Pride Of The Artic (10-13) at Galway 2m 6f chs sft in Jul.
Bat Masterson (IRE) 9-2 (11-0) Chased leader, 2nd halfway, mistake 7th, ridden in 4th after 5 out, under pressure in moderate 6th entering straight, 4th 3 out, stayed on in 3rd last, led run-in and kept on well close home, won at Navan 2m 6f hdl sft in Sep beating Beachdale Lad (11-1) by 2 3/4l, 10 ran.
Heaney (IRE) 11-2 (11-8) Waited with in rear, badly hampered 6th, progress from 4 out, 5th going well into straight, close up 3 out and led before next, ridden to assert from before last, stayed on well, won at Bellewstown 3m hcp hdl 8Evens16 in Aug beating Slew Charm (11-5) by 7l, 10 ran.
Leblon (IRE) 25-1 (11-3) Tracked leaders, 3rd 5 out, no impression from next, 8th of 12, 20l behind Blazing Tempo (11-7) at Gowran Park 2m 4f hdl gd in Sep.
Boland's Corner (GER) 12-1 (10-8) Mid-division, ridden in 9th 3 out, no extra and weakened, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Coole Avenue (10-4) at Listowel 3m hcp hdl hvy in Sep, 15 ran.
Caduceus (IRE) 11-2fav (10-9) Not fluent 1st, soon niggled along in mid-division, last at 9th, no extra and pulled up approaching 7 out, in a race won by Faltering Fullback (9-12) at Listowel 3m hcp chs hvy in Sep, 18 ran.
Streamtown (IRE) 7-1 (11-0) Waited with, soon well off the pace, plenty to do in 7th when hampered 3 out, kept on well under pressure without threatening run-in, 4th of 9, 10l behind Prince Of Fire (11-12) at Down Royal 2m hdl gs in Aug.
Liberty Counsel (IRE) 8-1 (11-8) Always prominent, 4th halfway, 3rd 4 out, close up travelling well 2 out, soon led, stayed on well, comfortably, won at Kilbeggan 3m 1f hcp chs 0-123 gd in Sep beating Raz De Maree (11-9) by 4 1/2l, 14 ran.
For A Finish 12-1 (11-4) Mid-division, closed to chase leaders approaching 4 out, moderate 4th and no impression approaching last, kept on same pace, 5th of 14, 18l behind The Bishop Looney (10-12) at Cork 3m 4f hcp chs 0-150 sft in Nov.
Face Facts (IRE) 7-1 (11-2) Held up towards rear, ridden in moderate 8th after 4 out, left 6th 2 out, stayed on in 4th last, ran on well run-in to lead close home, won at Cork 2m 4f hcp hdl 8Evens16 in Aug beating Mark Me Up (10-5) by 1/2l, 11 ran.
Queiros Bleu (FR) 10-1 (10-12) Always towards rear, 11th of 15, 36l behind Bob Lingo (10-6) at Killarney 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-140 sft in Aug.
Our Gar (IRE) 3-1fav (11-12) Mid-division, 6th approaching 6 out, fell 4 out, in a race won by Original Option (11-12) at Killarney 2m 4f beg chs gs in Aug '11, 11 ran.
Civena (IRE) 10-1 (10-13) Prominent, lost place after 3 out, soon no extra, 7th of 8, 47l behind Aughnacurraveel (11-5) at Tipperary 3m hdl hvy in Jul.
