tracked leaders, 2nd 3 out, gained narrow lead approaching last where mistake, headed and kept on same pace run-in
close up, dropped to 5th 4 out, no impression and kept on same pace straight
in touch towards rear, closer in 4th 4 out, moderate 3rd and no impression under pressure from next, kept on same pace
soon led, narrowly headed approaching last, soon left in front again and stayed on best under pressure
in touch towards rear, ridden and no impression approaching straight, pulled up before 3 out
soon tracked leaders, 2nd into straight, dropped to moderate 4th and no impression from 3 out
Cloone Rocket has been in good form on the level until a moderate effort at Galway and he's a decent enough hurdler. However, he's one of five of the six entries here who had a hard race at The Festival and it's the other, NOW THIS IS IT, who gets the vote. The six-year-old had plenty of decent form in the UK and produced a fine start for new connections when fourth behind Bahrain Storm in a Grade 3 at Leopardstown. The Fonze ran a fantastic race when fourth in the Plate but is taking on better company than previously over timber.
Cloone Rocket (IRE) 7-2fav (11-5) 9th of 15, 17l behind Mudslinger (10-2) at Bellewstown 2m 1f hcp hdl gd in Aug '08.
Decoy Daddy (IRE) 11-2 (11-0) Chased leaders, moderate 4th approaching 2 out, soon no impression under pressure and kept on same pace, 4th of 14, 15l behind Invisible Man (10-8) at Galway 2m 6f chs gd in Jul.
Eagle's Pass (IRE) 12-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, moderate 4th halfway, closer 6th 4 out, 5th and ridden next, one pace, 4th of 14, 18l behind Casey Top (9-13) at Killarney 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-140 in Jul.
Slievecorragh (IRE) 22-1 (11-10) Prominent, 4th 3 out, lost place and kept on same pace from next, 10th of 25, 17l behind Jigalo (10-5) at Punchestown 2m hcp hdl 0-140 gd in Apr.
The Fonze (IRE) 33-1 (11-8) Mid-division, 10th after 3 out, ridden into 5th and no impression from before straight, kept on without getting to leaders, 4th of 22, 4l behind Finger Onthe Pulse (10-12) at Galway 2m 6f hcp chs gd in Jul.
Now This Is It (IRE) 12-1 (11-4) Mid-division, closed into 3rd before 4 out, 5th next, 4th after 3 out, no extra into straight, 4th of 12, 13l behind Bahrain Storm (11-4) at Tipperary 2m hdl Grd 3 (1) gd in Jul.
