with leader and keen, lost place from 4 out, left poor 4th last
held up towards rear, pushed along 5 out, weakened before 3 out, unseated rider last
held up mid-division, pushed along after 4 out, kept on to take 3rd place before last, no impression
tracked leaders, went 3rd before 3 out, ridden before 2 out, soon chased winner, no impression
held up in touch, led 6 out, headed before 3 out, weakening in 4th when unseated last
in rear, pushed along 5 out, soon weakened, fell 2 out
led to 6 out, led again before 3 out, clear before last
TRONGATE has had all of his three starts under Rules on this track and was making his hurdling debut when chasing home the odds-on De Dollar Man on heavy going last month. The winner has since been narrowly defeated in a much better race at Ascot so the form looks strong enough for this. Well Joey was originally trained by Stuart Crawford but has moved to Pru Dobbs for who he produced easily his best run over timber at Down Royal last month. He looks certain to make a bold bid though Crawford will have a line on the form and has the mare Verona Opera engaged here. She's been a bit inconsistent but has run well here in the past and her allowance is a bonus. The remainder will need some improvement though there was plenty of confidence in Gaye Flier when she made her debut in a bumper on this track in November.
Bruichladdich 50-1 (11-3) Held up in touch on outside, struggling when jumped right 5th, well beaten after, went remote 5th flat, 5th of 10, dist behind Viserion (11-3) at Carlisle 2m 1f (4) sft in Feb.
Knocklayde (IRE) 200-1 (11-3) Jumped left and moderately in rear, well behind 5th, 7th of 10, dist behind Viserion (11-3) at Carlisle 2m 1f (4) sft in Feb.
Log On (IRE) 100-1 (11-2) In rear, modest 5th 3 out, took 4th near finish, tailed off, 4th of 9, 23 1/4l behind Applaus (11-2) at Newcastle 2m (4) hvy in Feb.
Trongate (IRE) 14-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders in 3rd, led 3 out, ridden before last, headed soon after, kept on and no impression, 2nd of 5, 7l behind De Dollar Man (11-5) at Ayr 2m 4f mdn (5) hvy in Jan.
Well Joey (IRE) 10-3jfav (11-4) Tracked leader in 2nd, improved to dispute lead after 4 out, led 3 out, ridden and strongly pressed from next, headed inside final furlong, kept on same pace, 2nd of 13, 2 1/2l behind Indy Island (10-11) at Down Royal 2m mdn Soft - Heavy in Jan.
Gaye Flier (IRE) 5-2jfav (10-12) Held up in touch, struggling 6f out, soon behind, tailed off, 7th of 8, dist behind Hermanus (10-12) at Ayr 2m (6) sft in Nov.
Verona Opera (IRE) 8-1 (9-10) Tracked leaders, soon 4th, slight mistake 3 out, under pressure on outer in 3rd into straight, soon dropped to 4th and no impression, 5th and no extra from before last, 5th of 8, 21l behind Who's That (10-7) at Leopardstown 2m 2f hcp sft in Feb.
