made all, not fluent 2nd, jumped slightly left 2 out, soon asserted travelling smoothly, stayed on well run-in, easily
took keen hold early in rear, improved into 2nd before 7 out, pecked 3 out, soon 3rd, no impression and kept on same pace from 2 out, went 2nd again near finish
raced in 3rd, dropped to last at 5th, pushed along briefly after 7 out, under pressure from 5 out, no danger and behind from 3 out
raced in 2nd, slight mistake 5th, 3rd before 7 out, 2nd again from 3 out, pecked slightly 2 out, soon no impression, one pace run-in and dropped to 3rd near finish
This has been won by some useful performers including Sizing Europe in 2009. ALELCHI INOIS can join that list as he's been earning rave reviews since switching to fences where he's unbeaten in four starts. He gave a stone and a comfortable beating to subsequent winner Definite Ruby at Galway last month and though having to concede weight to useful rivals here can keep his record intact. Benemeade beat a smart field at Gowran earlier this month and has improved with every run while Blacklough beat a subsequent winner on his chasing bow at Listowel before falling early at Tipperary. August Hill wouldn't be travelling from Philip Hobbs' yard without good reason though she'll need to improve as will Elsie, though she was impressive at Sligo despite a couple of errors. The four-year-old Arzembouy Premier looks a very nice prospect for the future but takes on some potentially smart types here.
Alelchi Inois (FR) 2-5fav (11-8) Led and disputed, clear of field from 3rd, chased leader in 2nd from before 6th, slight mistake 5 out, reduced advantage after 3 out, improved to lead last, asserted entering straight, easily, won at Galway 2m 1f nov chs (1) gf in Sep beating Definite Ruby (10-8) by 4 1/2l, 6 ran.
August Hill (IRE) 7-4 (10-12) Took keen hold, tracked leader, led 4th, mistake and headed 11th, rallied 2 out, beaten when impeded and switched right flat, 2nd of 3, 1 1/4l behind Azure Fly (10-12) at Newton Abbot 2m 5f nov chs (4) gd in Sep.
Elsie (IRE) Evensfav (11-7) Tracked leaders, slight mistake 2nd and 5 out, progress into 2nd 2 out, improved to lead travelling well before last, stayed on strongly, easily, won at Sligo 2m 1f beg chs gd beating Sweet Sylvia (11-2) by 3 1/2l, 6 ran.
Arzembouy Premier (FR) 5-6fav (10-12) Tracked leaders in 3rd, went 2nd 5 out, mistake next, ridden in 2nd 2 out, no impression on winner from before last, 2nd of 4, 7l behind Tom Horn (11-12) at Sligo 2m 4f chs gd.
Benemeade (IRE) 3-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders in 2nd/3rd, led from 7th, joined before 3 out, soon ridden and led before 2 out, wandered around briefly approaching last and joined, stayed on well run-in to lead near line, won at Gowran Park 2m 2f beg chs beating Clonbanan Lad (11-12) by hd, 8 ran.
Blacklough (IRE) 3-1 (11-2) Towards rear, fell 3rd, in a race won by Indevan (11-5) at Tipperary 2m 4f nov chs (1), 7 ran.
