keen hold, chased leaders, closer in 2nd from 3 out, challenged and on terms last, no extra in 3rd closing stages
waited with towards rear, moderate 5th approaching 2 out, moderate 4th and no impression from before straight, kept on same pace
led, clear at stages, not fluent 4th, jumped left 3 out, pushed along 2 out, strongly pressed and joined last, headed and no extra closing stages
chased leader, 3rd after 3 out, struggling from before next, dropped to moderate 5th and no impression from before straight
chased leaders, moderate 3rd 2 out, closed and switched to challenge run-in, stayed on best to lead closing stages, well on top at the finish
soon towards rear, no extra after 3 out, pulled up before last
towards rear, moderate 6th approaching 2 out, soon no extra
chased leaders, slow jump 4th, 5th 4 out, dropped to moderate 7th and no extra approaching 2 out
The top three are the ones to concentrate on here as, though this was won by the incredible L'Ami a year ago, it's unlikely that another top cross-country performer, La Touche winner Another Jewel, will have anything like the necessary pace. Virgil Earp looked one to follow when landing a novices' event at the Festival in July but he's been a big disappointment subsequently and was a long way behind Laganbank in testing ground at Listowel last month. The winner is very progressive and will take some beating despite his penalties but JUST FOR JOE could have his measure. Hannah Lee's charge landed a Cork bumper by a distance before making an impressive hurdling debut at Roscommon and connections believe he has the ability for Graded class.
Laganbank (IRE) 7-4fav (11-4) Waited with towards rear, closer order to chase leaders approaching 3 out, travelling well into straight, 2nd 2 out, ridden to challenge and led last, stayed on well run-in, won at Listowel 2m nh nov hdl hvy in Sep beating Alderwood (11-10) by 1l, 6 ran.
Virgil Earp 9-2 (11-1) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden before 3 out, no extra before 2 out, kept on one pace, 5th of 7, 20l behind Royal Reveille (11-6) at Navan 2m 6f hdl gd in Sep.
Just For Joe (IRE) 8-11fav (11-12) Tracked leader in 2nd, took keen hold, led approaching straight, asserted after 2 out and kept on well, easily, won at Roscommon 2m 4f mdn hdl sft in Sep beating Charlie Swift (11-4) by 5l, 10 ran.
Another Jewel (IRE) (10-10) 4th of 9, 14l behind Chriseti (10-10) at Craon(FR) 3m 6f chs sft in Sep.
Best Served Cold 12-1 (11-7) Prominent, lost place under pressure from over 6f out, 7th under 4f out, 6th before straight, kept on same pace under pressure from 2f out, 5th of 16, 10l behind Daring Article (11-7) at Tipperary 2m 4f N H flat gs.
Rocket Boy (IRE) 7-1 (12-0) Mid div to 2out, kow late but no ch, 4th of 8, 14l behind Outlaw Pete (12-0) at Kilmallock 3m ire ptp gd in Apr.
Romantic Lead 11-1 (11-1) Held up in mid-division, progress to chase leaders before straight, soon no impression, 11th of 20, 43l behind Smokey Joe Joe (11-12) at Cork 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 80-116 in Mar.
Hang On Groovy (IRE) 25-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, dropped to last over 4f out, soon behind, last of 7, 32l behind Shu Lewis (11-5) at Tipperary 2m N H flat sft.
