well off pace towards rear, some headway before 3 out, soon no extra, pulled up before last
keen hold, led and soon well clear, saddle slipped forward, slight mistake 4 out, reduced lead before 3 out, pressed from next, joined last, stayed on best to regain narrow lead run-in
chased leaders, well off pace, closer order from before 3 out, no impression and kept on same pace from after next
chased leaders, well off pace, closer order from before 3 out, challenged in 2nd approaching last where on terms, narrowly headed and kept on without matching winner run-in
chased leaders, well off pace, closer order from before 3 out, 2nd next, 3rd and kept on same pace under pressure from before last
chased leader, well off pace in 2nd, closed from before 3 out, no extra from next
well off pace towards rear, some headway before 3 out, soon no extra
held up towards rear, well off pace, closer order from before 3 out, wide into straight, kept on same pace under pressure from after 2 out
chased leaders, well off pace, some slow jumping early, closer order from before 3 out, 6th approaching straight, no impression and kept on same pace from after 2 out
A chance is taken with THE LAST DON, five times a winner on the level and receiving all the allowances on his hurdling debut. Some Present's last five runs in the 2009/10 season were in Grade 1 contests and he's obviously much better class than these rivals but an absence since last April suggests he might just need this. Rheinland was amiss when pulling up at Ballinrobe and is much better than she showed that day while Total Excitement was always struggling in the Galway Hurdle and this is more his class. Alhellal, Cavite Beta and Benefique are all progressive and capable of big runs in an interesting event.
Alhellal (IRE) 9-2 (11-12) Rear of mid-division, headway from 3 out, 4th next, ridden to lead before straight, mistake last, kept on well under pressure run-in, won at Ballinrobe 2m 4f mdn hdl gf in Aug beating Imperial Joey (11-4) by 2 1/2l, 13 ran.
Cavite Beta (IRE) 6-4fav (11-7) Held up mid-division, chased leaders after 3rd on inner, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 5th of 11, 11l behind King Of The Night (11-7) at Doncaster 2m 3f NH nov hdl (4-7yo) (3) gd in Jan.
Rockazar 20-1 (10-12) Towards rear, some headway early straight, kept on one pace without reaching leaders, 7th of 16, 7l behind Clonsilla Fath (11-0) at Fairyhouse 2m hcp hdl 80-116 gd.
Slew Charm (FR) 15-2 (11-0) Mid-division, ridden and headway 3out, under pressure next, weakening when pulled up before last, in a race won by I've Been Framed (11-9) at Fakenham 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Jan, 12 ran.
Some Present (IRE) 20-1 (11-10) Mid-division on inner, headway into 4th after 3 out, no impression entering straight, kept on one pace, 5th of 12, 11l behind Reve De Sivola (11-10) at Punchestown 2m 4f nov hdl Grade 1 (1) gd in Apr '10.
Total Excitement (IRE) 33-1 (9-11) Towards rear, trailing when pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Moon Dice (10-4) at Galway 2m hcp hdl gd in Jul, 20 ran.
Benefique (IRE) 8-1 (11-9) Chased leaders early, 7th halfway, headway in 5th 3 out, improved to 2nd before 2 out, ridden to challenge 2 out, no extra from last, kept on same pace, 2nd of 9, 3 1/2l behind Black Rock Lake (11-1) at Downpatrick 2m 2f mare hcp hdl 8Evens16 gf in Aug.
Rheinland (IRE) 13-2 (11-6) Always in rear, lost touch and pulled up before 4 out (clinically abnormal), in a race won by Queen Of Cool (11-5) at Ballinrobe 2m 4f hcp hdl 8Evens16 gf in Aug, 16 ran.
The Last Don (IRE) 14-1 (11-4) Led, headed from 2f out, soon no impression and kept on same pace, 4th of 7, 9l behind Galileo's Choice (11-7) at Killarney 2m 1f am stks (4yo+) gd in Aug (flat).
