DELEGATE looked a certain future winner after two very good runs over timber in the autumn but Gordon Elliott sent him for a Navan bumper and he couldn't cope with the potentially useful Avenir D'Une Vie. Back over hurdles and on ground that suits, he should gain his first success. Lets High Five It ploughed through the mud at Clonmel a week ago to finish runner-up behind shock winner For Freddie and looks certain to make a bold bid along with Inch Rise, who will be suited by the conditions and a thorough test of stamina. Hurricane Darwin showed real promise in bumpers and though beaten a long way on his hurdling debut looks the type to do very much better and could prove the main threat.
Alkaa Lion (IRE) 25-1 (11-4) In rear, under pressure and no impression approaching straight in moderate 7th, kept on same pace, 4th of 10, 37 1/2l behind Positive Approach (11-4) at Limerick 2m 6f mdn hvy in Dec.
Delegate 9-4 (12-0) Held up towards rear, raced towards outer, improved to track leaders approaching straight, pushed along under 2f out, chased winner 1f out, kept on without troubling winner final furlong, 2nd of 11, 2 3/4l behind Avenir D'une Vie (12-0) at Navan 2m hvy in Dec.
Hurricane Darwin (IRE) 20-1 (11-4) Mid-division, moderate 7th 5 out, ridden in moderate 6th 3 out, no impression, 5th of 16, dist behind Up For Review (11-12) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f mdn hvy in Nov.
Inch Rise (IRE) 10-1 (11-12) Prominent, 3rd and slight mistake 2 out, 4th before straight, no impression, 4th of 21, 20 3/4l behind Min (11-9) at Punchestown 2m 2f mdn sft in Dec.
Lets High Five It (IRE) 16-1 (11-4) Soon left in lead, slight mistake 5th, ridden and headed before 2 out, no extra last, kept on same pace run-in, 2nd of 10, 3 3/4l behind For Freddie (11-4) at Clonmel 2m 4f mdn hvy in Dec.
Returntovendor (IRE) 100-1 (11-12) Soon mid-division, no extra from before 2 out, 10th of 21, dist behind Min (11-9) at Punchestown 2m 2f mdn sft in Dec.
