made all, shied away at finish line the 3 times he crossed it, asserted approaching straight, jumped a little right last 2, stayed on well, comfortably
waited with last of the 5, 4th from 5 out, plenty to do approaching straight, soon no impression under pressure, kept on same pace
raced in 3rd, not entirely fluent 3rd, went in pursuit of winner into straight, not getting there and kept on same pace from after 2 out
raced 4th of the 5, last from 5 out, pushed along next, soon no impression, eased when beaten
raced mainly in 2nd, keen hold, not entirely fluent 3 out, struggling approaching straight, soon no impression, no extra from 2 out
Letherbelucky beat Audrelles Lad at Roscommon in July but appears closely matched with last month's Sligo winner Top Madam on earlier form and couldn't cope with TUGBOAT at Galway last month. On 4lb better terms, connections will fancy their chances of turning that form around with Edward O'Grady's four-year-old here but the latter is still on an upward curve over timber and had a sharpener on the Flat two weeks ago - he can score again. Magic Spear can only improve on his debut victory over hurdles at Killarney and Too Scoops got off the mark at Cork last month while Whatever Jacksays' last run was in the Galway Hurdle, though he is a bit more exposed than most.
Whatever Jacksays (IRE) 12-1 (11-3) Prominent, 3rd halfway, 2nd 3 out, ridden and no extra approaching next, weakened, 10th of 20, 23l behind Rebel Fitz (11-5) at Galway 2m hcp hdl sft in Aug.
Magic Spear (IRE) 9-2 (11-12) Soon mid-division, chasing leaders and not fluent 4 out, switched to outer to challenge from before 2 out, soon led, clear before last, stayed on well, easily, won at Killarney 2m 1f mdn hdl sft beating Truckin All Night (11-12) by 6l, 16 ran.
Too Scoops (IRE) 8-13fav (11-12) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, improve to challenge 3 out, soon disputed, ridden in narrow lead last, kept on well run-in, won at Cork 2m 4f mdn hdl in Aug beating Champagne Agent (11-12) by 1 1/2l, 17 ran.
Letherbelucky (IRE) 5-4fav (11-2) Settled in mid-division on inner, ducked away from rail after 1st, pushed along in 6th approaching 2 out, switched left and headway on outer entering straight to go 2nd before last, kept on same pace under pressure run-in, 2nd of 10, 2 1/4l behind Tugboat (11-0) at Galway 2m 4f nh nov hdl sft in Aug.
Top Madam (IRE) 9-4fav (11-5) Chased leader in 2nd, led 4 out, ridden and kept on well from before last, won at Sligo 2m nh nov hdl sft in Aug beating Dara Tango (11-12) by 1l, 5 ran.
Audrelles Lad (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) Held up early, progress to tracked leaders from 5th, 7th 4 out, soon no extra, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Sicilian Secret (11-12) at Kilbeggan 2m 4f beg chs gd, 14 ran.
Tugboat (IRE) 7-2 (11-0) Tracked leaders in 5th, good headway to lead 2 out, soon asserted and driven out to maintain advantage run-in, won at Galway 2m 4f nh nov hdl sft in Aug beating Letherbelucky (11-2) by 2 1/4l, 10 ran.
