waited with, slightly slow at some hurdles, niggled along briefly 5th, closer in 3rd approaching straight, no impression 2 out, kept on same pace
towards rear, niggled along in last approaching 4 out, no impression from before straight
chased leader, improved to lead 4 out, strongly pressed 2 out, soon headed and no impression, kept on same pace
soon led and clear at stages, headed 4 out, 4th approaching straight, soon no extra
chased leaders, slightly impeded 3 out, soon dropped last of the 6, moderate 4th and kept on same pace from before straight
waited with, closed to track leaders before 4 out, 2nd approaching straight, led after 2 out, quickly clear, stayed on strongly, impressive
LUSKA LAD is well up to this grade at his best having been beaten 2l by Hurricane Fly in the Grade 1 Festival Hurdle at Leopardstown's Christmas fixture. He'll be better for a fine recent run on the Flat and can take this at the expense of last year's winner Donnas Palm, who always goes well fresh. Captain Cee Bee just held off The Real Article in a Grade 3 here in July but the runner-up should take revenge on today's terms while The Bull Hayes is taking on better class after graduating from handicaps.
Donnas Palm (IRE) 7-1 (11-8) Prominent, disputed lead until headed after 3rd, headway to dispute again before 3 out, driven along and headed next, no extra from before last, 5th of 10, 17l behind Voler La Vedette (11-3) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f hdl G2 (1) gd in Apr.
Gimli's Rock (IRE) 12-1 (10-13) Soon mid-division, no extra 2 out, 14th of 20, 16l behind Moon Dice (10-4) at Galway 2m hcp hdl gd in Jul.
Luska Lad (IRE) 20-1 (11-10) Led, jumped left, left clear from 5th, slow jump and reduced lead from next, headed from 2 out, soon no impression under pressure and kept on same pace, 5th of 10, 9l behind Quevega (11-5) at Punchestown 3m hdl G1 (1) gs in May.
Fosters Cross (IRE) 12-1 (9-11) Led, raced keenly, clear from 7th, reduced advantage 6 out, bad mistake and headed next, soon no extra and weakened, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Alfa Beat (11-3) at Listowel 3m hcp chs sft in Sep, 17 ran.
The Bull Hayes (IRE) 9-2fav (11-10) Chased leaders, 4th before straight, no impression under pressure in 3rd and kept on same pace from last, 3rd of 13, 3l behind Princeton Plains (11-1) at Listowel 2m hcp hdl in Sep.
The Real Article (IRE) 3-1fav (9-10) Soon chased leaders, keen hold, 5th and niggled along after 3 out, no impression and kept on in moderate 4th approaching straight, 4th of 20, 7l behind Moon Dice (10-4) at Galway 2m hcp hdl gd in Jul.
Captain Cee Bee (IRE) 6-1 (11-6) Towards rear, headway into mid-division approaching 2 out, soon no impression under pressure, kept on same pace, 8th of 20, 11l behind Moon Dice (10-4) at Galway 2m hcp hdl gd in Jul.
Baracas (FR) 20-1 (10-11) Led, headed and no extra from before 2 out, 8th of 13, 13l behind Princeton Plains (11-1) at Listowel 2m hcp hdl in Sep.
Catch The Moment (IRE) 14-1 (11-6) Soon led, headed straight, soon no extra, 15th of 25, 31l behind Kitty's Lord (10-9) at Punchestown 2m 2f hcp hdl 80-109 gd in May.
