tracked leaders, left in front after 4th, headed approaching straight, no extra in 5th at last
settled towards rear, closer in 5th 3 out, headway to go 2nd approaching last, kept on well under pressure to lead late run-in
prominent and took keen hold, led before 3rd, fell 4th
tracked leaders, 4th halfway, close up 2 out, ridden and no impression in 3rd when mistake last, kept on same pace under pressure run-in
towards rear when brought down 4th
chased leaders, 5th halfway, well in touch when mistake 2 out, driven along entering straight, 4th before last, kept on one pace under pressure
always prominent, led early, close 2nd halfway, led again approaching straight, ridden and kept on from before last, headed and no extra late run-in
always behind, never a factor
tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, slight mistake 2 out, ridden and no extra approaching last, eased when beaten run-in
A race that should tell us more about the standard of Irish novices this season can go to BOG WARRIOR. Tony Martin's charge has had very little experience but produced a very impressive performance in the Grade 1 Drinmore at Fairyhouse and it will take something special to lower his colours. David Pipe sends Notus De La Tour from England and though he rather blotted his copybook at Exeter last time he's much better than that and may just have come up against two very useful performers that day. Blackstairmountain, a Grade 1 novice hurdle winner, was an impressive debut winner over fences at Clonmel and wouldn't have been thrown in at the deep end here unless thought capable of a big run. Perfect Smile, another chasing debut winner, may prove best of the remainder in an intriguing contest.
Baily Green (IRE) 6-1 (11-12) Chased leaders in 3rd, 2nd 4 out, ridden before 2 out where no extra in 3rd, kept on same pace, 3rd of 18, 15l behind Bog Warrior (11-12) at Navan 2m beg chs in Nov.
Blackstairmountain (IRE) 8-15fav (11-12) Tracked leaders, close 4th travelling well entering straight, 2nd when mistake 2 out, led on-bridle before last, stayed on strongly run-in, not extended, won at Clonmel 2m 1f beg chs hvy beating Marble House (11-5) by 3l, 15 ran.
Bog Warrior (IRE) 15-8 (11-10) Tracked leaders racing keenly, headway to lead from 6th, occasionally jumped left, travelling best entering straight and soon in command, stretched clear before last, impressive, won at Fairyhouse 2m 4f nov chs Grade 1 (4yo+) (1) sft beating Shinrock Paddy (11-10) by 31l, 6 ran.
Foildubh (IRE) 7-1 (11-2) Chased leaders in 4th, headway to dispute travelling well 3 out, edged ahead before last, ridden and kept on strongly run-in, won at Navan 2m 1f nov chs beating Jim Will Fix It (11-2) by 2 3/4l, 6 ran.
Gift Of Dgab (IRE) 13-8fav (11-7) Led until approaching 4th, remained prominent, under pressure after 3 out, soon no impression, not pace of winner, 2nd of 5, 10l behind Invictus (11-7) at Plumpton 2m 4f nov chs (3) sft.
Lucky William (IRE) 2-1fav (11-7) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, improved into 2nd after 5 out, ridden to challenge 2 out, pressed leader last, no extra run-in, kept on same pace, 2nd of 7, 7l behind Days Hotel (11-4) at Punchestown 2m nov chs Grade 2 (1) sft in Nov.
Notus De La Tour (FR) Evensfav (11-8) Led until narrowly headed 3rd, led again before 5th (water), headed 4 out, held 2 out, beaten when went left last, weakened to 3rd flat, 3rd of 6, 9l behind Walkon (11-0) at Exeter 2m 3f nov chs (2) gs.
Ordinary Man (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) In rear, mistake 4th, slow jump 7 out, 4th 4 out, no impression under pressure and kept on same pace from 2 out, 4th of 5, 4 1/2l behind First Lieutenant (11-6) at Cork 2m 4f nov chs Grd 3 (1) sft in Nov.
Perfect Smile (IRE) 4-6fav (11-12) Chased leaders, well off pace, bad mistake 5 out, closed quickly travelling well into 2nd 2 out, soon led and eased on run-in, not extended, won at Fairyhouse 2m 1f beg chs hvy beating Der Spieler (11-12) by 3 1/2l, 9 ran.
