soon led and disputed, stretched on approaching last, stayed on well, comfortably
waited with towards rear, under pressure before 6 out, closer in 5th before 3 out, soon struggling, moderate 3rd when bad mistake last, kept on same pace run-in
towards rear, no extra approaching 4 out, pulled up before next
prominent, dropped to moderate 3rd and no impression from 3 out, soon 4th and kept on same pace under pressure
chased leaders, slightly slow 6 out, 4th before 3 out, soon struggling, kept on same pace
waited with, closed 4 out, soon 2nd, no impression under pressure and kept on same pace from before last
prominent, on terms from before 6th, 2nd from 8th, 5th 4 out, no extra from before next
chased leaders, 6th 4 out, no extra from before next, tailed off
Betterthanalright has been raised 10lb for his maiden victory at Clonmel last week but can race here with a 4lb penalty so is obviously well handicapped. However, he meets another well-in rival in COME TO THE PARTY who has improved out of all recognition over fences recently and reverts to hurdles on a 22lb lower mark. That's enough to earn him the vote though another chaser, Tally Em Up, is also well enough handicapped over timber to make his presence felt. Grey Area showed a little more dash at Fairyhouse last time but the youngster Battlemount is tackling a much longer trip after his run behind Immediate Response over 2m at Clonmel.
Betterthanalright (IRE) 14-1 (11-1) Keen hold, on terms 7th, led before 5 out, clear before 2 out, stayed on well, comfortably, won at Clonmel 2m 4f mdn hdl sft beating Noble Pageant (11-4) by 5l, 12 ran.
Come To The Party (IRE) 8-1 (11-7) Always prominent, led travelling well from before straight, asserted from 2 out, pushed out run-in, comfortably, won at Limerick 3m hcp chs 0-116 hvy in Jan beating Mister First (10-7) by 7l, 16 ran.
Tally Em Up (IRE) 12-1 (10-6) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, good headway to lead 2 out, strongly pressed and headed before last, led again briefly after jumping last, soon headed and no impression, lost 2nd close home, 3rd of 10, 2 1/4l behind Scotsirish (12-0) at Punchestown 3m crs cntry chs (5yo+) hvy.
Sandeel Bay (IRE) 25-1 (10-11) Tracked leaders, challenged in 2nd 2 out, kept on same pace under pressure from before last, 3rd of 13, 8l behind Mini Vic (11-0) at Thurles 2m 6f mdn hdl hvy.
Killiney Castle (IRE) 3-1 (10-11) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, 3rd 4 out, no extra approaching straight, weakened, tailed off, 8th of 16, well behind Ros Brin (11-3) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 80-102 in Jan.
Letterlee Star (IRE) 66-1 (11-12) Mid-division, never a factor, 11th of 16, well behind Gates Of Rome (11-12) at Naas 2m 3f beg chase sft.
Fitzgutentyte (IRE) 28-1 (11-1) Always towards rear, 11th of 16, 40l behind Clashnabrook (11-7) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f hcp hdl 80-95 hvy.
Battlemount (IRE) 33-1 (10-3) Chased leaders, closer in 4th approaching straight, no impression under pressure and kept on same pace from 2 out, 4th of 14, 8l behind Immediate Response (11-9) at Clonmel 2m hcp hdl 80-95 hvy.
Grey Area (IRE) 14-1 (9-5) Attempted to make all, headed from 6th, ridden in 2nd from 3 out, no impression on winner from next, dropped to moderate 3rd inside final furlong, 3rd of 9, 15l behind Changing Times (11-5) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 8Evens16 hvy.
