attempted to make all, headed and ridden 3 out, weakened quickly from next
tracked leaders, close 3rd 3 out, ridden entering straight, weakened from 2 out
held up in touch, close 5th 3 out, went 3rd 2 out, soon ridden, disputed lead briefly at last, kept on well in close 2nd run-in
raced 2nd, led from 3 out, strongly pressed and ridden after 2 out, joined briefly at last, kept on well run-in
tracked leaders, close 4th 3 out, ridden in 2nd 2 out, soon dropped to 3rd and no impression before last
held up, some mistakes, no impression from 3 out
raced in last, mistake 1st, ridden in remote last entering straight, went moderate 5th before last, kept on one paced to go moderate 4th run-in
Both MONTAN and Bob Lingo are up to Grade 2 standard so it's a surprise to see them running in a novice chase. The former made a winning debut over fences over 2m5f at Fairyhouse and was only just outpaced by Saludos when dropped to the minimum trip in a Grade 2 at Navan. He may just prove too strong for Bob Lingo though Tom Mullins' charge ran well behind Roi Du Maree at Punchestown and the winner landed a Grade 2 event subsequently. Sam Adams was well behind Bob Lingo at Fairyhouse on New Year's Day and looked better suited by a shorter trip when scoring there next time. Prince Erik has yet to prove he's as good over fences as hurdles while Del Rio's jumping leaves plenty to be desired.
Bob Lingo (IRE) 5-2 (11-10) Led, extended advanatge from 8th, reduced lead 4 out, headed next and soon no extra, moderate 2nd 2 out, kept on one pace under pressure, 2nd of 5, 11l behind Roi Du Mee (11-10) at Punchestown 2m 6f nov chs hvy in Feb.
Del Rio (IRE) 9-4fav (11-10) Prominent, keen hold and not fluent early, dropped to moderate 5th before straight, soon no impression, 5th of 9, 21l behind Strongpoint (11-5) at Limerick 2m 6f chs gd in Jul.
Montan (FR) 7-1 (11-4) Held up in rear, headway in 4th entering straight, 2nd 3 out, ridden and switched before lasT where challenged, kept on run-in, not match winner, 2nd of 6, 1 3/4l behind Saludos (11-4) at Navan 2m nov chs G2 (1) hvy in Feb.
Prince Erik 5-1 (11-9) Chased leaders in 3rd, 2nd 4 out, mistake 3 out, ridden before next, no extra in 4th entering straight, 5th before last and kept on one pace, 5th of 6, 17l behind Gentle Alice (11-4) at Leopardstown 2m 1f nov chs sft in Feb.
Sam Adams (IRE) 25-1 (11-10) Held up in touch, dropped to rear and ridden 7th, trailing after mistake 6 out, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Bostons Angel (11-10) at Leopardstown 2m 5f nov chs G1 (1) hvy in Feb, 6 ran.
Ballinavortha (IRE) 14-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders in 4th, ridden and lost place halfway, trailing after 3 out, pulled up before last, in a race won by Givemeabuzz (10-9) at Tramore 2m 4f hcp hdl 80-95 hvy in Jan, 13 ran.
Tajweed (IRE) 50-1 (11-5) Soon moderate 4th, lost place 5 out, soon no impression, 8th of 13, 27l behind Steeltown (11-12) at Roscommon 2m nov hdl in Sep.
