always towards rear, no impression from 4 out, weakened from after next
prominent early, dropped towards rear 6 out, soon last, no impression from 4 out, weakened from after next
chased leaders, ridden in 4th approaching straight, soon no impression, kept on same pace into moderate 3rd run-in
held up towards rear, improved into 4th 7 out, 3rd 4 out, 2nd approaching straight, challenged from before 2 out, no extra from before last, kept on same pace
led, reduced lead before 7 out, joined from next, headed 5 out, on terms again 3 out, led approaching straight, pressed from before 2 out, went clear from before last, stayed on well run-in, comfortably
soon raced in 2nd, on terms from 6 out, led next, joined 3 out, headed and dropped to 3rd approaching straight, soon no impression, weakened and dropped to moderate 4th run-in
The veteran Luke's Benefit is better handicapped over hurdles but his last two victories were over fences and his trainer knows how to place horses to their best effect. Muzak began last year on a mark of 100 and he's now 31lb higher after four victories. He hasn't run since October which may just tell in these testing conditions but he should be winning again soon. Toostrong also last ran in October and generally needs his opening run. Slieveardagh has an even longer absence to overcome having scored on very fast going at Tipperary in July but KANDINSKI is fighting fit after an impressive all-the-way victory at Clonmel and is handed the vote to complete the double.
Slieveardagh (IRE) 14-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, keen early, 4th halfway, headway into 2nd 4 out, ridden to challenge 2 out, led before last, disputed run-in, just prevailed at line, won at Tipperary 2m 4f hcp chs gf in Jul beating Ballyfinboy (9-13) by ns, 12 ran.
Muzak (IRE) 9-2 (11-4) Always prominent, improved to lead after 3 out, ridden and strongly pressed from 2 out, joined briefly at last, regained lead early run-in, stayed on well inside final furlong, won at Sligo 2m 1f hcp chs hvy in Oct beating Sean Airgead (11-3) by 2l, 9 ran.
Kandinski (IRE) 4-1 (11-12) Tracked leader until left in lead 2nd, made rest, took keen hold, clear from 7th, reduced lead approaching straight, went clear again from before 2 out with loose horse for company, stayed on well, easily, won at Clonmel 2m 4f beg chase beating Turica (11-5) by 17l, 14 ran.
Toostrong (FR) 5-1 (11-2) Led, joined 5 out, headed next, ridden 3 out, kept on without threatening winner from last, 2nd of 11, 3 1/2l behind Dick Dundee (11-6) at Wexford 2m 3f hcp chs in Oct.
Page Turner (IRE) 11-2 (11-0) Led, headed 3rd, regained lead after 4th, pressed from 5 out, headed entering straight, ridden in 3rd 2 out, no extra in 4th when bad mistake last, 5th of 9, 37l behind The Way We Were (10-10) at Naas 2m hcp chs in Feb.
Luke's Benefit (IRE) 16-1 (11-4) Soon mid-division, 7th approaching straight, ridden to go moderate 4th before last, kept on same pace, 4th of 17, 11l behind Sir Harry Cash (11-1) at Limerick 2m hcp hdl 80-109 hvy.
Hospital (IRE) 7-1 (9-13) Mid-division, progress 3 out, ridden in 6th before straight, soon no extra, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Make A Track (11-0) at Limerick 2m 3f hcp chs 0-145 hvy in Dec, 16 ran.
