towards rear behind clear leaders, moderate 3rd after 5th, not fluent at 6th, mistake at 8th and dropped to moderate 4th, trailing 4 out, kept on one pace to moderate 2nd
made all, not fluent at 7th, travelled well and asserted after 4 out, clear before 3 out, kept on well, eased run-in, very easily
tracked leader in clear 2nd, closer at 8th, under pressure and weakened after 4 out, dropped to moderate 4th after 2 out, completely tailed off
in rear behind clear leaders, not fluent at 1st, moderate 6th after 5th, trailing at 9th, kept on one pace to moderate 3rd
raced in 3rd behind clear leaders, jumped big at 1st, moderate 4th after 5th, moderate 3rd after 8th, under pressure after 4 out, weakened, pulled up before 2 out
The mare Granny Biddy has been brilliantly placed to win five handicaps in her last six starts, going up 48lb in the process. This is her first venture into graded company but her allowance puts her in the picture. Minella Beau has been going well but has been beaten in recent weeks by both Moyross and MONKSHOOD. The former completed a double when beating him comfortably over this course and distance but the latter beat him much more easily at Fairyhouse and can go in again. Fabulous Saga was put in his place over the track and trip last month but Burren Life showed his liking for a thorough test of stamna at Thurles and conditions should be in his favour.
Burren Life (IRE) 9-10fav (11-10) Led and disputed, headed before 2nd, chased leaders, 3rd halfway, closer 4 out, led 3 out, pushed out to assert before last, kept on strongly, comfortably, won at Thurles 2m 7f hvy in Nov beating Mary Frances (11-0) by 11l, 7 ran.
Fabulous Saga (FR) 9-4 (11-4) Led, not fluent at 1st, 5 lengths clear after 1st, increased advantage at 2nd, not fluent at 3rd, reduced advantage before 8th, under pressure and headed before 3 out, no extra in 3rd before 2 out, 3rd of 5, 13 1/4l behind Cracking Smart (11-0) at Cork 3m lst (1) sft in Nov.
Monkshood (IRE) 4-5fav (11-10) Disputed lead, led and went on from before straight, reduced lead before last, stayed on well to assert run-in, won at Fairyhouse 2m 4f Soft - Heavy in Nov beating Minella Beau (11-10) by 7l, 4 ran.
Minella Beau (IRE) 2-1 (11-10) Waited with behind leaders, mistake 2nd, closed up after 3 out on inner, chased winner from before 2 out, not fluent last and no extra after, one pace, 2nd of 4, 7l behind Monkshood (11-10) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f Soft - Heavy in Nov.
Granny Biddy (IRE) 6-4fav (10-10) Tracked leader, 3rd at 6th, closed approaching straight, led narrowly 3 out, travelled well 2 out, asserted before last, kept on well, driven out, won at Cork 2m 4f hcp Soft - Heavy in Nov beating Montys Meadow (10-6) by 1 3/4l, 9 ran.
Moyross 7-4 (11-10) Raced in 3rd, closed travelling smoothly straight, challenged 2 out, on terms between last 2, pushed out to lead from last and stayed on well, comfortably, won at Cork 3m Yielding - Soft in Oct beating Minella Beau (11-10) by 2 1/2l, 6 ran.
