waited with behind leaders, slightly slow 7th, slight mistake 8th, a little slow 4 out, effort approaching 2 out in 2nd, soon no impression, slight mistake last, no extra run-in
bumped with rival 1st, not fluent 2nd, waited with behind leaders, some slight mistakes, pushed along briefly from 3rd and closed to be prominent, no impression 2 out, moderate 2nd and kept on same pace without threatening run-in
bumped 1st, waited with behind leaders, pushed along briefly after 5th, under pressure after 4 out, no impression from 3 out, one pace
soon led, a little slow 2nd, jumped right at times, a little awkward 7th, headed from 3 out, no impression next, kept on same pace again without threatening run-in
prominent, slight mistake 4th and pushed along briefly, lost position and pushed along briefly again after next, soon in rear and under pressure, some headway but no impression from 3 out, one pace
prominent, slow jump 4 out, travelling smoothly and led from 3 out, pushed along before 2 out, soon went on, stayed on well run-in, comfortably
Brex Drago, three-times a winner over hurdles, has had problems with his jumping over fences and Gavin Cromwell may have a better chance with Lever Du Soleil, who chased home a smart prospect in A Wave Of The Sea at Kilbeggan. Magic Sea arrives in winning form having landed a Bellewstown handicap over hurdles. He's only a five-year-old but makes his debut over fences on his 47th career start. Winning bumper and hurdler Present In Court pulled up on his only start over fences but is expected to do much better as is stablemate Soldier At War, who has to defy a long absence but appears the type to do well at this game. SOMPTUEUX landed a maiden hurdle at Kilbeggan in June and made a very promising start over fences when chasing home Dollar Value at Downpatrick. With that under his belt, he can go one better. Fred The Foot, rated 130 over hurdles, looks best of the remainder after three runs over fences.
Brex Drago (ITY) 20-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, a little slow at 5th, 5th from 6th, slight mistake 7th, no impression before straight, one pace, 6th of 13, 15 3/4l behind Rock Road (9-12) at Kilbeggan 2m 4f hcp gd in Jun.
Fred The Foot (IRE) 5-1 (12-0) Towards rear, slightly hampered after 1st, took closer order in 7th after 9th, progress 3 out, no impression on leaders in 3rd at last, ridden and kept on same pace, dropped to 4th close home, 4th of 9, 10l behind Line Out (12-0) at Ballinrobe 2m 7f sft in Sep.
Larry Looby (IRE) 150-1 (12-0) Mid-division, mistake 5th, ridden next, mistake 3 out, no impression, 9th of 13, dist behind Jack Hackett (12-0) at Kilbeggan 2m 4f Yielding in Sep.
Lever Du Soleil (FR) 5-1 (12-0) Chased leaders, 4th 3 out, ridden and no impression after 2 out, went 3rd at last, kept on one pace to go 2nd close home, no impression on winner, 2nd of 12, 11l behind A Wave Of The Sea (11-4) at Kilbeggan 2m 4f Yielding in Sep.
Present In Court (IRE) 40-1 (10-5) Waited with, 13th from 4th, one pace straight, 12th of 15, 32 1/2l behind Alfa Mix (9-13) at Navan 2m 4f hcp sft in Dec.
Somptueux (FR) 5-1 (12-0) Disputed lead, led from 5th, joined briefly again 4 out, ridden and strongly pressed before last, headed inside final furlong, kept on without threatening winner close home, 2nd of 12, 1 3/4l behind Dollar Value (12-0) at Downpatrick 2m 3f gd in Aug.
Magic Sea (IRE) 7-1 (11-13) Tracked leaders, disputed and not fluent 4 out, led 3 out, ridden 2 out, kept on well, won at Bellewstown 2m 4f hcp sft in Aug beating Muhaafiz (11-4) by 2 1/4l, 14 ran.
Soldier At War (GER) 9-10fav (11-8) Prominent briefly, soon held up behind leaders, 4th halfway, ridden before 2 out, no extra before last, 4th of 5, 26 3/4l behind Generator City (10-12) at Ballinrobe 2m 6f gd in Jul.
