held up in touch, ridden 3 out, soon no impression, never a factor
held up in touch, ridden 3 out, moderate 7th next, moderate 4th at last, kept on same pace
tracking leaders on inner when blundered badly at 2nd, lost considerable ground and pulled up before next
led, headed after 3 out, weakened quickly after next, no impression in moderate 6th before last
tracked leaders, 4th 3 out, ridden and progress into 2nd entering straight , soon no impression on winner, dropped to 3rd run-in
always prominent, led after 3 out, went clear and ridden after next, stayed on well run-in
held up in rear, some progress on outer after 3 out, ridden in 5th entering straight, soon weakened
tracked leaders, ridden in 3rd 3 out, 3rd entering straight, kept on without threatening winner to go 2nd run-in
always towards rear, no impression from 3 out, never a factor
tracked leaders, ridden in 5th after 3 out, 4th entering straight, no impression
LUKE'S BENEFIT has won this for the past two years and looks set for a hat-trick. He bounced back to winning ways over hurdles last time and, as Brian Crawley can claim 7lb, can race off a mark lower than a year ago. Art Lord has a 6lb penalty for his recent victory at Navan, his first chasing success on just his fifth start. He should go well along with Troll D'Oudairies, who is still a maiden but who went well for a long way at Navan last time. Solstice Knight hasn't been seen since landing a novices' handicap at Fairyhouse in April though that's rarely a problem for one from his yard while El Mondo has now dropped to a low enough mark to make his presence felt.
Solstice Knight (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders on inner in 4th, ridden and went 2nd soon after 2 out, challenged last and led run-in, kept on well under pressure, won at Fairyhouse 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-123 in Apr beating Sea Master (9-9) by 1 3/4l, 12 ran.
The Way We Were (IRE) 10-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, closer in 3rd before straight, no impression and kept on same pace from 2 out, 6th of 15, 20l behind Black Benny (11-12) at Roscommon 2m 5f beg chs gf in Aug.
Troll D'Oudairies (FR) 6-1 (10-11) Held up, soon towards rear, closer in 7th after 5 out, smooth headway straight, 3rd before 2 out, no impression last, kept on one pace run-in, 3rd of 15, 7l behind Oscars Business (10-7) at Navan 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130.
Art Lord (IRE) 14-1 (11-11) Always prominent and 2nd for much, improved to lead before 2 out, soon ridden clear, reduced advantage but stayed on well under pressure run-in, won at Navan 2m 4f hcp chs 0-109 sft beating Crowded Room (11-5) by 2 1/2l, 11 ran.
Beckwith Star (IRE) 22-1 (11-8) Mid-division, 7th halfway, no extra from 4 out, moderate 10th after 2 out,, 10th of 13, 32l behind Foritsa (9-12) at Thurles 2m 2f hcp chs 0-116 sft.
Luke's Benefit (IRE) 10-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, closer order before 4 out, close 3rd 2 out, led last, kept on well run-in, just held on, won at Fairyhouse 2m hcp hdl 80-109 beating Might Be Magic (10-9) by shd, 16 ran.
El Mondo (FR) 14-1 (11-4) Waited with towards rear, some progress to chase leaders 3 out, soon moderate 6th, 4th before 2 out, went moderate 3rd before straight, kept on same pace, 3rd of 10, 19l behind Georgie (9-12) at Galway 2m 1f hcp chs 0-116 hvy in Oct.
Kennoway (IRE) 11-2 (11-5) Mid-division, blundered badly and unseated rider 8th, in a race won by Art Lord (11-11) at Navan 2m 4f hcp chs 0-109 sft, 11 ran.
Cheap As Chips (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, progress into 7th 4 out, ridden in 6th and no impression 3 out, kept on one pace, 5th of 11, 23l behind Kylecrue (11-5) at Downpatrick 2m 2f beg chs gd.
Reality Dose (IRE) 22-1 (9-10) Rear of mid-division, moderate 9th after 5 out, no impression in 8th approaching last, kept on one pace,, 7th of 13, 24l behind Foritsa (9-12) at Thurles 2m 2f hcp chs 0-116 sft.
Araglen Lad (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) Chased leader in 2nd and soon clear, led after 3rd, reduced advantage halfway, headed before 4 out, soon ridden and no extra, 5th of 9, 32l behind Slew Charm (11-3) at Downpatrick 2m 2f hcp chs 0-109 gd.
Whats On The Menu (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) Towards rear, brought down 4th, in a race won by Wrong Turn (11-0) at Leopardstown 2m 5f cond hcp chs 0-116 sft, 18 ran.
