towards rear, moderate 6th approaching 3 out, soon no impression, tailed off
mid-division, good progress to be prominent approaching 3 out, no impression and kept on same pace from before last
towards rear, progress 3 out, soon 6th, no extra from after 2 out, tailed off
prominent in chasing group, closed and on terms from 3 out, slight mistake next, led closing stages, headed near finish
prominent in chasing group, slightly slow 5 out, 5th from 3 out, challenged under pressure in 3rd at last, stayed on well run-in to lead near finish
waited with, moderate 7th 5 out, kept on same pace from before straight
chased leaders, ridden in mdoerate 5th approaching 3 out, soon closed in 3rd, no impression and kept on same pace from between last 2
led and clear for much, reduced lead and joined from 3 out, headed closing stages and soon dropped to 3rd
towards rear, progress from 3 out, kept on same pace from next
chased leaders, moderate 7th approaching 3 out, kept on same pace without threatening straight
LUKE'S BENEFIT has had 10 runs since October and won twice over hurdles and the same number over fences. He's shot up the weights as a consequence but Denis Hogan puts a 7lb claimer up here and his grey can return to winning ways. The veteran Buck Breeze has run moderately on his last two starts after beating the in-form Bay Of Kotor at Gowran and trainer Tom Foley also saddles the lightly-raced Snow Spell, an easy maiden winner before running well for a long way over further on his handicap debut. Pink Coat had no chance in a Grade 2 last time though his earlier form entitles him to respect here, but Satu is likely to do better back over fences and has a long absence to overcome. Gentle Paddy is still a maiden but ran well at Down Royal last time where he faded after the second last over that 2m4f trip.
Wijikura (IRE) 11-10fav (11-3) Attempted to make all, ridden and headed before 2 out, soon no impression, weakening when eased before last, 9th of 10, 25l behind Whisper Cool (10-10) at Killarney 2m 1f 3yo hdl gf in Aug '10.
Pink Coat 40-1 (11-1) Chased leaders mainly 5th, 3rd briefly 2 out, soon no extra, last of 6, 20l behind Trifolium (11-1) at Punchestown 2m nov hdl Grade 2 (1) hvy.
Satu (IRE) 6-1 (11-7) Towards rear, moderate 6th halfway, left close 5th after 6 out, 3rd 4 out, driven along and no impression in 4th approaching straight, no extra from 2 out, 5th of 6, 12l behind Glenstal Abbey (11-7) at Listowel 2m 1f nov chs gd in Sep '10.
Luke's Benefit (IRE) 9-2 (11-8) Prominent, led from 4 out, strongly pressed and headed after 2 out, soon no extra, 4th of 10, 13l behind Lead Kindly Light (11-9) at Fairyhouse 2m 1f hcp chs 0-116 hvy.
Snow Spell 7-1 (10-10) Led early, tracked leader in 2nd after 1st, ridden in 4th bypassing 2 out, no extra from early straight, 12th of 18, 23l behind Catleen (10-11) at Leopardstown 2m 2f mares hcp hdl 8Evens23 gs.
Gentle Paddy (IRE) 12-1 (11-2) Chased clear leader in 2nd, closer 5 out, driven along and led 3 out, headed next and no extra in 4th at last, 4th of 13, 12l behind Followmeuptocarlow (10-4) at Down Royal 2m 4f hcp hdl 80-109 hvy.
Not My Idea (IRE) 16-1 (11-7) Led, ridden and strongly pressed entering straight, headed before 2 out, no impression on winner from last, dropped to 3rd run-in, 3rd of 18, 10l behind Jenari (11-7) at Limerick 2m cond mdn hdl sft in Nov.
Buck Breeze (IRE) 5-1 (10-10) Led, headed briefly 2nd, headed again before 4 out, no extra in 4th before last, weakened, 6th of 19, 14l behind Colls Corner (11-7) at Naas 2m hcp hdl 80-109 sft.
Starling Lady 16-1 (10-1) Always towards rear, never a factor, 11th of 13, 49l behind Star Of Aragon (11-0) at Leopardstown 2m nov hcp hdl 80-116 gd in Dec.
Slim To None (IRE) 25-1 (10-0) Led until refused 1st, in a race won by On My Own (10-8) at Navan 2m Conditional Handicap Hurdle (80-116) (4yo+) sft, 12 ran.
