tracked leaders in 3rd, slightly impeded and slight mistake 4 out, pushed along after 3 out, challenged and on terms 2 out, soon led, headed approaching last, no extra and eased closing stages
raced in 4th, closed up from 3 out, not much room briefly before straight, switched left after 2 out, led approaching last, stayed on best run-in to soon assert
tracked leader, inclined to jump slightly left, pushed along to challenge on inner after 3 out, soon on terms, headed from 2 out, dropped to 3rd approaching last and no impression
in rear, pushed along approaching straight, no impression after 2 out, moderate 4th from last, one pace
led, not fluent 5th, slight mistake 4 out, strongly pressed from next, soon joined, headed from 2 out, dropped to 4th approaching last and no impression, soon in rear and no extra
Winning point-to-pointer Just Cause showed that staying is his game when scoring over 2m4f at Cork where he ran on very strongly. But BEN BUTTON produced a much-improved effort to finish runner-up in a Grade 3 at Cork earlier this month and, with further progress likely, he'll prove difficult to beat so gets the nod. Presenting Mahler has run quite well in handicaps, though a strike-rate of 1-18 is off-putting, and Roman Gold should make a bold bid. Gordon Elliott's charge was having just his second start over hurdles when easily accounting for today's rival Tongie at Clonmel and the runner-up boosted the form when scoring at Limerick last week. The only drawback is that the Clonmel event was over the minimum trip and this is likely to be a searching test.
Just Cause (IRE) 10-1 (11-12) Mid-division, improved to chase leaders after 2nd, 3rd with a circuit to race, progress to challenge from 3 out and led before next, soon ridden and kept on well under pressure run-in, won at Cork 2m 4f mdn sft in Nov beating Listen Here (11-12) by 3/4l, 7 ran.
Roman Gold (IRE) 11-8fav (11-12) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, 2nd after 3 out, improved to lead before 2 out where slight mistake, pushed out to assert before last, kept on strongly, easily, won at Clonmel 2m mdn gs in Oct beating Tongie (11-12) by 6l, 11 ran.
Ben Button (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Raced in 4th, not fluent 1st, took closer order after 4 out and soon went 3rd, ridden in 2nd after 3 out and challenged next, no impression run-in and kept on same pace, 2nd of 5, 3l behind Moylisha Tim (11-0) at Cork 3m (1) sft in Nov.
Presenting Mahler (IRE) 8-1 (10-9) Held up towards rear, closer in 7th entering straight, ridden in 6th 2 out, stayed on into 3rd last, kept on run-in and pressed winner close home, 3rd of 9, 1/2l behind Holeinthewall Bar (10-11) at Limerick 2m 5f hcp sft in Nov.
Tongie (IRE) 4-5fav (11-12) Made all, pressed entering straight, ridden to assert 2 out, kept on well from before last, won at Limerick 2m 3f mdn sft in Nov beating Goodluck Noel (11-12) by 3 1/2l, 12 ran.
