chased leaders, went in pursuit of clear leader from 3 out, closed and led before next, soon in command, stayed on well
never better than mid-division
prominent in chasing group, a bit slow 3rd, ridden 5th, closer in 3rd approaching 2 out, soon no impression and kept on same pace
chased leaders, well off pace, closer in 5th approaching 2 out, soon no impression under pressure, kept on same pace
chased leaders, well off pace, no extra from 3 out
keen hold, soon clear leader, reduced lead straight, headed before 2 out, weakened
well off pace in mid-division, closer in 6th approaching straight, soon no impression under pressure, kept on same pace
prominent in chasing group, lost place and no extra from 3 out
waited with, moderate 10th approaching 3 out, soon chased leaders, ridden to chase winner and no impression from after 2 out, kept on same pace
soon chased leaders, well off pace, moderate 5th approaching 3 out, soon no impression and kept on same pace
always towards rear, pulled up after 2 out
waited with towards rear, no danger and kept on from 3 out
Winning point-to-pointer Alf Wright made a good start over hurdles when runner-up over 2m5f at Tramore but appeared to find this trip too short at Gowran last week. It's also a surprise to see Noble Pageant racing over the minimum as his last three runs have been at around 2m6f. He's also been making mistakes and will need to jump better. The front-running Miradene will probably have these soon at a stretch but he's been fading and the testing ground looks against him. This doesn't look the easiest of races to be making a racecourse debut but RISING ALTITUDE gets the vote as he has plenty going for him in that he's closely related to some high-class jumpers and out of a mare who won on the Flat and over hurdles.
Alf Wright (IRE) 11-2 (11-12) Tracked leaders, no impression under pressure in 4th and kept on same pace from 2 out, 7th of 20, 23l behind Snow Spell (11-5) at Gowran Park 2m mdn hdl sft in Jan.
Dark Raven 66-1 (11-7) Towards rear, struggling from halfway, poor 8th and kept on same pace from before straight, 9th of 16, 37l behind Daring Article (11-7) at Tipperary 2m 4f N H flat gs in Oct.
Handsome Dan (IRE) 100-1 (11-0) Towards rear, dropped behind 5 out, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Folsom Blue (11-2) at Thurles 2m 6f nov hdl sft in Jan, 8 ran.
Noble Pageant (IRE) 13-2 (11-4) Prominent, bad mistake 5 out, struggling from next, dropped to moderate 4th and no extra from before straight, 7th of 16, 47l behind Jack Bene (11-4) at Thurles 2m 6f mdn hdl hvy in Jan.
Alluvium 66-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, ridden 6 out, no impression from before 3 out, 10th of 20, well behind Snow Spell (11-5) at Gowran Park 2m mdn hdl sft in Jan.
Coolking 25-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, 4th 4 out, ridden and no impression from next, 7th of 11, 34l behind Knockgraffon King (11-12) at Navan 2m 7f mdn hdl in Jan.
Dushybeag (IRE) 25-1 (11-12) Mid-division, 8th before straight, no impression under pressure and kept on same pace from 2f out, 7th of 18, 25l behind Our Vinnie (11-12) at Naas 2m 3f N H flat in Jan.
Miradane 5-1 (11-7) Led, strongly pressed and headed before 2 out, 6th of 12, 37l behind Lyreen Legend (11-7) at Naas 2m 4yo mdn hdl hvy in Oct.
Rising Altitude (IRE) Old Vic gelding out of Royal Thimble.
Saxon Wing (IRE) 50-1 (10-13) Tracked leaders, no extra from before 4 out, pulled up before next, in a race won by Argocat (10-5) at Thurles 2m mdn hdl sft in Jan, 17 ran.
Flaming Pop (IRE) 33-1 (11-9) Chased leaders, led after 4f, ridden and headed entering straight, soon no extra and eased under 2f out, 16th of 25, 31l behind Whatwillwecallher (11-2) at Punchestown 2m 1f mares n h flat gd in May.
Tip For The Top (IRE) 80-1 (11-7) Never better than mid-division, 11th of 18, well behind Lisrose (11-0) at Limerick 2m 3f mares mdn hdl hvy in Jan.
Wynns Castle (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) Always behind, last of 23, well behind Trifolium (11-9) at Cork 2m mdn hdl in Dec.
Ardkilly Cloud (IRE) 33-1 (10-13) Mid-division, improved before halfway, weakened 5f out, completely tailed off, 13th of 18, well behind Hidden Identity (11-9) at Limerick 2m mrs nh flat hvy in Dec.
Johnston's Best (IRE) 66-1 (11-3) Always behind, tailed off, 14th of 18, well behind Joxer (11-10) at Punchestown 2m mdn hdl in Jan.
Latest Trend (IRE) 5-1 (12-0) Mid div best, 7th 1/2way, fair 5th & btn aftr 4out, mod 5th 2out, 5th of 13, 41l behind Zardsky (12-0) at Dungarvan 3m ire ptp gd in Jan.
