tracked leaders, slight mistake 6th, 2nd travelling best 2 out, led and good jump last, stretched on run-in, comfortably
waited with, 4th approaching 2 out where mistake, soon no extra
prominent, keen hold, a bit slow 5th, on terms approaching 4 out where not fluent, 3rd 2 out, soon no impression under pressure, kept on same pace
attempted to make all, joined briefly approaching 4 out, soon in front again, strongly pressed 2 out, headed and no extra last, kept on same pace
tracked leaders, close up when pecked and unseated rider 4 out
waited with, moderate 5th approaching 2 out, soon no extra
Groody Hill landed a gamble at Punchestown last week and is obviously in fine shape though a 6lb penalty and this tougher opposition makes things much more difficult. He finished a distance behind Ard Agus Fada at Navan in March and would have no chance on that form, though the winner is unraced since. WESTMEATH BACHELOR was conceding over a stone to Ardglen when beaten narrowly at Ballinrobe last month and has since scored at Sligo. The weights are greatly in his favour here as Ardglen completed a hat-trick subsequently before being beaten over a trip too far at Sligo. Streamtown won a very moderate beginners' event at Downpatrick but should improve as that was only her second start over fences.
Groody Hill (IRE) 9-2 (11-0) Mistake 1st, mid-division, 7th halfway, headway into 4th 4 out, 3rd entering straight, travelled well to lead last, pushed out to assert run-in, comfortably, won at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp chs 0-116 hvy beating Andrea's Answer (9-10) by 6l, 12 ran.
Selskar (IRE) 20-1 (10-11) Mid-division, 9th 5 out, no extra approaching straight, weakened, 12th of 17, well behind Burnt Oil Babe (10-7) at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130.
Ardglen (IRE) 7-4fav (10-5) Soon led, a bit slow 1st, mistake 6th, pressed approaching straight, headed and dropped to 3rd at last, soon no chance with winner, 2nd closing stages, 2nd of 9, 12l behind City Of Doral (9-13) at Sligo 3m hcp chs 0-116 sft in Sep.
Westmeath Bachelor (IRE) 11-2 (11-2) Soon chased leaders, pushed along in 4th 4 out, no impression and kept on same pace from before 2 out, won at Sligo 2m 1f hcp chs 0-109 in Sep beating Second Glance (11-5) by 3/4l, 10 ran.
Streamtown (IRE) 6-1 (11-0) Rear of mid-division, headway into 5th 3 out, improved in 3rd before 2 out, ridden to lead last, kept on strongly run-in, won at Downpatrick 2m 2f beg chs gs beating Fairwood Massini (11-7) by 11l, 11 ran.
Ard Agus Fada (IRE) 16-1 (9-13) Held up towards rear, headway in 8th 5 out, 4th entering straight, challenged in 2nd 3 out, led 2 out, ridden and kept on well from before last, won at Navan 2m 4f hcp chs 0-116 in Mar beating Hidden Present (9-10) by 1 1/4l, 16 ran.
Arklow Ger (IRE) 25-1 (10-8) Keen hold, bad mistake 3rd, soon tracked leaders, bad mistake 5 out, soon no impression, completely tailed off, 9th of 15, well behind Muirhead (11-2) at Limerick 3m hcp chs.
