tracked leader, mistake 5th, 2nd halfway, led entering straight and asserted after 2 out, slight mistake last, kept on well run-in
tracked leaders, in rear and mistake 6th, detached and no extra after 3 out, eased, tailed off
towards rear, fell 3rd
tracked leaders, mistake 1st, 3rd halfway, 4th and slight mistake 4 out, 3rd and no extra after 2 out
tracked leaders, 4th halfway, slight mistake 9th, 3rd 5 out, ridden in 2nd and no impression on winner after 2 out, kept on one pace
led, blundered 9th, headed entering straight, no extra in 4th after 2 out
in rear, fell 3rd
Most of these should win more races during the winter but it's difficult to ignore the claims of INDEVAN, who can supply Ruby Walsh with a winner on his return to action. Willie Mullins' charge has taken some time to find his feet but has done so in sparkling fashion the last twice and his impressive 12l victory over Bally Longford at Killarney sets the standard. Hurricane Ridge is progressive fast and followed his two victories over fences by scoring on the Flat at the Curragh. He beat Bally Longford by 2l at Listowel earlier and a line through the latter gives him something to find with the selection. Silver Tassie was a big disappointment in that Listowel contest where he started a short-priced favourite after a very convincing debut success over fences at Kilbeggan. He could have been feeling the effects after a short break but has a lot of ground to make up. The Black Russian is a decent enough hurdler but looks like being even better over fences after scoring at Ballinrobe and finishing a close third to the highly-regarded Ted Veale in a Grade 3 at Roscommon.
Indevan 11-10fav (11-12) Led, disputed briefly 4th, disputed again 5 out, headed 4 out, close 2nd and hampered 3 out, ridden to challenge 2 out, soon led, asserted approaching last, eased run-in, won at Killarney 2m 4f nov chs gd in Aug beating Bally Longford (11-12) by 12l, 4 ran.
Hurricane Ridge (IRE) 10-1 (11-4) Led early, 2nd at 7th, 4th and niggled along after 8th, 3rd after 6 out, progress to narrowly lead 4 out, pushed along before 2 out, ridden and stayed on well after last, won at Listowel 2m 4f nov chs gd in Sep beating Bally Longford (11-2) by 2 1/4l, 4 ran.
Blacklough (IRE) 4-7fav (11-12) Held up, soon raced in 5th, closer order towards outer 6 out, 3rd 4 out, 2nd travelling smoothly into straight, led from 2 out, stayed on well to assert run-in, comfortably, won at Listowel 2m 1f beg chs gd in Sep beating It's All An Act (11-12) by 4l, 7 ran.
Rough Justice (IRE) 5-4 (11-5) Tracked leader early, soon disputed lead, tended to jump left and not fluent 3rd, soon led, not fluent 5th, mistake 5 out, narrowly headed from 3 out, not matching winner from before last where pecked badly, no impression after and eased,, 2nd of 5, 20l behind Seefood (11-5) at Ballinrobe 2m 7f chs gd in Sep.
Silver Tassie (IRE) 9-10fav (11-7) Raced in close 3rd, jumped into lead at 7th, narrowly headed 4 out, on terms 3 out, soon dropped to 3rd, 4th before 2 out, no extra after last, last of 4, 12l behind Hurricane Ridge (11-4) at Listowel 2m 4f nov chs gd in Sep.
The Black Russian (IRE) 11-2 (11-1) Led, ridden and challenged when slight mistake last, soon headed and dropped to 3rd, kept on one pace, 3rd of 6, 2 3/4l behind Ted Veale (11-1) at Roscommon 2m nov chs (1) gd in Sep.
Mrs Mac Veale (IRE) 12-1 (10-13) Held up early, mid-division in 6th at 4th, lost place before 4 out and soon towards rear, ridden and no impression after 3 out, 8th 2 out, kept on one pace from last, 5th of 10, 5l behind Swiftmarc (10-7) at Kilbeggan 2m 3f cond hcp hdl gd in Sep.
Aerlite Supreme (IRE) 9-2 (11-12) Led, attempted to assert straight, pressed and mistake 2 out, soon headed and no impression, rider without iron before last where slight mistake, dropped to 3rd close home and 4th on line, 4th of 6, 5l behind Darwins Fox (11-0) at Killarney 2m 4f hdl in May.
The Crafty Butcher (IRE) 9-4fav (11-12) Soon mid-division, not fluent 2nd, closer in 5th after 4 out, chased leader in 2nd approaching last, stayed on well run-in to lead close home, won at Killarney 2m 1f beg chs in May beating Time Please (11-12) by 3/4l, 11 ran.
