tracked leader, 3rd after 6th, lost place and weakened before 4 out
mid-division, not fluent at 4th, 4th after 6th, 5th 4 out, improved to 3rd after 4 out, lost place 3 out, soon ridden, no impression on leaders in 3rd before last, kept on same pace
in touch, mistake at 3rd, dropped to 6th after 6th, 7th 4 out, not fluent 3 out, weakened 2 out
rear of mid-division, 5th after 6th, travelled well in 4th after 4 out, on terms 3 out, soon led, strongly pressed 2 out, asserted before last where not fluent, driven out
close up, 2nd after 6th, led after 8th, joined 3 out, soon headed and weakened
towards rear, mistake at 7th, travelled well and progress before 3 out, strongly challenged 2 out where mistake, no impression on leader before last, ridden and kept on run-in, no extra close home
towards rear, not fluent at 6th, soon raced 8th, headway after 8th, 3rd 4 out, on terms 3 out, soon headed, dropped to 3rd 2 out where slight mistake, lost 3rd run-in, one paced
led, not fluent at 7th, headed after 8th, lost place and weakened after 4 out, pulled up before 2 out
rear of mid-division, 7th after 6th, progress 4 out, under pressure in 5th after 4 out, lost place 3 out, soon ridden, no extra in 5th before last
raced in detached rear, closed up on field after 6th, progress 3 out, weakened before last
Abbey Magic won this a year ago from an 11lb lower mark though he's continued in very good form and should make a bold bid. He had BRIDGE NATIVE five lengths behind when scoring at Galway but the latter is 6lb better off and won very easily on a return visit earlier this month so is taken to reverse places and land this nice prize. The West's Awake has been competing in strong company since scoring at Kilbeggan and was attempting to concede 17lb to Batcio when runner-up at this level at Killarney. Smart hurdler Poseidon has yet to win over fences but his close second to Embittered at Killarney has been franked while Grange Walk would have a chance if getting round.
Abbey Magic (IRE) 15-2 (10-12) Led, jumped right and bad mistake 1st, headed 5th and raced in 2nd, on terms before 8th, narrowly headed from 4 out, pushed along before straight, no extra approaching last, one pace, 3rd of 5, 13 1/2l behind Royal Rendezvous (11-5) at Gowran Park 2m 4f (1) gd in Oct.
The West's Awake (IRE) 8-1 (11-6) Led, joined 5th, pushed along and headed 3 out, ridden and no impression before last, kept on same pace, 2nd of 9, 3l behind Batcio (10-3) at Killarney 2m 4f hcp gd in Aug.
Bridge Native (IRE) 5-1 (11-10) Chased leader, slightly slow 3 out, closed and left in narrow lead 2 out, ridden after last, kept on well closing stages to assert inside final furlong, won at Galway 2m 2f hcp sft in Oct beating Espion Du Chenet (9-12) by 8 1/2l, 8 ran.
Poseidon (IRE) 5-2jfav (11-4) Disputed lead, led from 2nd, 4 lengths clear when mistake and unseated rider 8th, at Listowel 2m 1f Good - Yielding in Sep.
One Down (IRE) 10-1 (12-0) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, 2nd 3 out, pushed along approaching straight and 3rd 2 out, dropped to 4th at last, no extra, 4th of 8, 14 3/4l behind Bleu Berry (12-0) at Listowel 2m 1f Good - Yielding in Sep.
Grange Walk (IRE) 10-3 (12-0) Towards rear, mistake 4th, slow 6th and detached in rear, soon pulled up, at Listowel 2m 1f Good - Yielding in Sep.
Halsafari (IRE) 25-1 (10-9) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, closer in 3rd entering straight, soon challenged, disputed 2 out, ridden before last where fell, at Naas 2m 3f hcp sft in Mar.
Kitty Galore (IRE) 15-2 (10-6) Led and clear, reduced lead 2 out, ridden and headed entering straight, soon ridden, kept on same pace in 3rd run-in, 3rd of 9, 4 1/4l behind Mighty Meggsie (10-9) at Punchestown 2m hcp gd in Oct.
Turbo (IRE) 11-4 (11-13) Raced in last, slow jump 2nd, mistake 4th, headway to chase leaders 3 out, pushed along 2 out, pressed leaders and led after 2 out, ridden and headed before last, not pace of winner, 2nd of 7, 6 1/2l behind Northern Bound (11-0) at Sedgefield 2m 3f hcp (4) gs in Oct.
Rippon Lodge (IRE) 18-1 (9-12) Held up towards rear, slight mistake 7th, closer in 4th 4 out, ridden after 3 out, no impression before next, left moderate 3rd 2 out, slight mistake last, no extra entering straight, 5th of 8, 26 3/4l behind Bridge Native (11-10) at Galway 2m 2f hcp sft in Oct.
