soon disputed lead, headed from 2nd, on terms again 6th, pushed along approaching 3 out where not fluent and headed, weakened from before straight
not fluent and unseated rider 1st
soon mid-division, no impression from 3 out and weakened, tailed off
held up, closed into 6th into straight, kept on same pace from before last
soon mid-division, closed into 3rd from 3 out, challenged next, led from last, stayed on well
in rear, headway 7th, no extra 2 out
soon disputed lead, led from 2nd, slight mistake 5th, joined next, kept on without matching winner from last
chased leaders, soon 4th, closed up from 7th, prominent from 3 out, on terms and mistake next, headed and slight mistake last, one pace
soon mid-division, ridden and one pace straight
chased leaders, soon 3rd, ridden straight, kept on well without threatening run-in
held up, slight mistake 4 out, closed to chase leaders and pushed along after 3 out, 5th into straight, under pressure just in behind horses last, kept on same pace run-in
Buster Dan Dan won this a year ago but has been racing over fences recently and is 9lb higher. Master Appeal, runner-up a year ago, is 10lb higher but did run well over this trip at Cork last month where he finished just behind Coolmill. The latter was showing his first sign of form for some time but does go particularly well on that track. The veteran Ballyadam Brook has gone well here in the past and is on his lowest ever mark over timber while Killiney Court should go well. Colm Murphy's charge has been alternating between hurdles and fences and can run from a 9lb lower mark than over the bigger obstacles after his recent victory at Ballinrobe. CLONALIG HOUSE showed improved form to score over the trip at Tipperary and was well supported to do so. He's untested in the conditions but still looks well treated so is handed the vote.
Buster Dan Dan (IRE) 5-1 (9-10) Chased leaders, 2nd from 6th, ridden in 4th before straight, no extra 2 out, kept on one pace, 4th of 8, 19 1/2l behind Kylecrue (9-10) at Listowel 2m 4f hcp sft in Sep.
Master Appeal (IRE) 8-1 (11-4) Held up, progress to chase leaders straight, ran on well run-in without reaching 1st 2, 3rd of 13, 3/4l behind Black Warrior (11-5) at Cork 2m 4f hcp gd in Aug.
Delvin Road (IRE) 25-1 (10-8) Held up, soon rear of mid-division, no impression in 7th 2 out, kept on same pace, 6th of 16, 8l behind Ancient Sands (10-7) at Killarney 2m 1f hcp gd in May.
Massini's Trap (IRE) 6-1 (11-4) Held up, in last pair, tracked leaders 3 out, one pace between last 2, soon ridden, well held before last, 4th of 6, 6 1/2l behind Dubh Eile (10-8) at Southwell 3m hcp (3) gd in Aug.
Emcon (IRE) 10-1 (11-10) Led and disputed early, headed 2nd, 2nd halfway, dropped to 4th before 4 out where slight mistake, ridden and no extra 2 out, weakened, 8th of 9, 24 1/2l behind Head Turner (10-12) at Ballinrobe 2m 4f hcp Yielding in Aug.
Coolmill (IRE) 18-1 (10-3) Led, joined 3 out, headed between last 2, kept on without matching winner and a little tight for room run-in, 2nd of 13, 1/2l behind Black Warrior (11-5) at Cork 2m 4f hcp gd in Aug.
Ballyadam Brook (IRE) 14-1 (10-2) Tracked leader in 2nd, led before 2nd, not fluent at 3rd 6th and 7th, 8 lengths clear and mistake at 8th, reduced advantage 4 out, soon headed, driven in 6th 3 out, no extra, 5th of 8, 16 1/2l behind Sea Light (10-6) at Killarney 2m 6f hcp gd in Aug.
Killiney Court (IRE) 10-3 (11-12) Chased leaders, led before 2nd, clear after 3rd, extended advantage halfway and well clear, reduced advantage 3 out, asserted before 2 out, clear before last where steadied and slightly right, kept on strongly run-in, easily, won at Ballinrobe 2m 3f Yielding in Aug beating Dancing Duke (11-1) by 9l, 10 ran.
Dare To Endeavour 25-1 (10-4) Mid-division, lost place and behind from 8th, no danger after, 15th of 29, dist behind Eastlake (10-11) at Aintree 2m 5f hcp (1) gs in Apr.
Black Zero (IRE) 28-1 (11-9) Tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, 9th of 14, dist behind Sharlanda (10-13) at Ballinrobe 2m 1f hcp gd in Jul.
Clonalig House (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) Held up, slightly impeded 2nd, slight mistake 5 out, closed to chase leaders approaching last, soon switched right, led and stayed on best run-in, won at Tipperary 2m 4f hcp gd in Aug beating Meadow Cross (10-12) by 2 1/4l, 18 ran.
Some Hawk 6-1 (10-9) Mid-division, ran freely, 9th halfway, pushed along after 3 out and no extra next, pulled up approaching last, at Galway 2m 7f hcp gd in Jul.
