led, slight mistake 1st and disputed briefly, headed 3 out, ridden and no extra next
mid-division, 6th halfway, ridden in 7th and no impression 2 out, kept on one pace straight
held up towards rear, slight mistake 2nd, ridden and no impression 2 out, soon no extra
chased leader in 2nd early, 3rd halfway, ridden 3 out, under pressure in 4th before last, kept on same pace into 3rd run-in
held up towards rear, ridden and no impression 2 out, soon no extra
chased leaders, 2nd halfway, led 3 out, ridden entering straight, headed approaching last where mistake, no extra run-in
held up towards rear, ridden and no impression 2 out, soon no extra
mid-division, 7th halfway, 6th and mistake 2 out, soon ridden, stayed on into 4th entering straight, 2nd last, kept on without reaching winner run-in
chased leaders, 5th halfway, ridden after 2 out, no impression before last, kept on one pace
mid-division early, improved into 4th halfway, ridden into 2nd after 2 out, stayed on to lead approaching last, kept on well under pressure run-in
After a comfortable victory over this trip at Galway, Noah Webster has failed to stay over further in two subsequent starts and Ger Fox' claim should enable him to go close. Last year's November Handicap winner Sir Ector ran poorly in this season's renewal and went up 8lb for finishing runner-up over timber at Gowran last month. BLACK SPOT ON completed a double in testing ground in the spring and found similar conditions to his liking at Naas a fortnight ago where he returned to form. A 7lb rise doesn't look enough to prevent a quick follow up. The Herds Garden is a progressive novice making his handicap debut from a reasonable mark and can make his presence felt but the main threat may arrive in the shape of Sea Light, who completed a hat-trick at the backend of last year and was nowhere near his best on his final start here in April.
Fosters Cross (IRE) 7-1 (11-7) Chased leader, 2nd halfway, not fluent 4 out, closer approaching 2 out, dropped to 4th and no impression before last, no extra, 4th of 8, 11l behind Smiler (10-12) at Galway 2m hcp hdl gd in Oct.
Noah Webster (IRE) 20-1 (11-7) Mid-division, 7th halfway, ridden in 6th before 2 out, stayed on into 3rd after 2 out, no extra in 4th last, kept on one pace, 4th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Battling Boru (10-5) at Galway 2m 6f hcp hdl in Oct.
Sir Ector (USA) 7-2fav (11-12) Tracked leaders, 4th entering straight, improved to dispute lead when hampered 2 out, soon headed, kept on same pace in 2nd run-in, 2nd of 11, 2l behind Mind The Pennies (11-1) at Gowran Park 2m hcp hdl 80-116 in Oct.
Black Spot On (IRE) 16-1 (11-3) Soon tracked leader in clear 2nd, 3rd approaching straight, pushed along to 2nd before 2 out, soon led after 2 out, ridden to assert after last, comfortably, won at Naas 2m hcp hdl 80-116 beating Is Herself About (11-3) by 5l, 15 ran.
Rocky Wednesday (IRE) 25-1 (10-3) Rear of mid-division, 9th approaching 3 out, no extra before 2 out, 12th of 16, 22l behind Stocktons Wing (11-4) at Down Royal 2m hcp hdl 0-150.
The Herds Garden 15-8 (11-10) Tracked leader in 2nd, dropped to last and mistake 6th, not fluent 4 out, ridden and went 2nd again next, no impression on winner from 2 out, kept on one paced, 2nd of 3, 13l behind Draco (11-10) at Wexford 2m nh nov hdl gd in Oct.
Sea Light (IRE) 7-2 (11-2) Mid-division, hampered 4th, ridden into 8th before 3 out, 5th 3 out, no extra before next, weakened, 15th of 25, well behind Master Oscar (10-12) at Punchestown 2m 4f cond hcap hdle in Apr.
Pivot Bridge 12-1 (10-0) Prominent, 2nd halfway, 3rd 3 out, ridden and no impression in 5th approaching last, kept on one pace, 5th of 16, 13l behind Stocktons Wing (11-4) at Down Royal 2m hcp hdl 0-150.
Forty Foot Tom 16-1 (11-9) Soon prominent, led approaching straight, pressed and pecked 2 out, soon headed, no extra and kept on same pace from before last, 6th of 22, 11l behind Close Review (10-4) at Punchestown 2m 6f hcp chs in Jun.
Pairofbrowneyes (IRE) 12-1 (10-0) Tracked leaders, moderate 4th halfway, moderate 3rd 3 out, soon ridden, 2nd next, 3rd at last, no extra inside final furlong, 4th of 17, 4l behind Sammy Black (10-0) at Naas 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-140 in Mar.
