led, headed 1st and chased leader, slight mistake 3 out, ridden in 3rd entering straight, no extra in 4th 2 out, kept on one pace
held up towards rear, ridden in 4th entering straight, stayed on into 2nd last, kept on run-in without troubling winner
held up, 4th halfway, ridden in 5th 3 out, no extra entering straight, pulled up before 2 out
chased leaders early, soon settled 4th, 5th and pushed along briefly 4th and again at 5th, dropped behind 5 out, pulled up before 3 out
slight mistake 1st, soon chased leaders, 3rd halfway, slight mistake 3 out, 2nd entering straight, slight mistake and ridden 2 out, soon no impression, no extra in 3rd last, kept on one pace
soon chased leader, led 1st, 5-lengths clear before 5 out, slight mistake 4 out, reduced advantage next, asserted again 2 out, ridden and kept on well run-in
Blue Bicycle has been showing promise without quite getting there and this looks a tough novices' event. THE WINKLER had been threatening to win for some time and overcame a bad mistake to score over this trip at Downpatrick where he appreciated the better ground. He can complete a double though Kansas City Chief has a progressive profile and looks a threat. He was undoubtedly fortunate to score at Thurles as the leader fell at the last though he had Fine Article just behind and should do so again. The latter didn't get far behind tonight's rival Festive Day over the track and trip earlier this month and the winner didn't enhance the form at Ballinrobe last week. Goulane Chosen has been a short price in his last four starts and is held by the selection on their placed efforts at Gowran while Katnap has yet to win in 24 career starts.
Festive Day (IRE) 9-2 (11-7) Tracked leader in 2nd, jumped badly left at 6th, dropped to 3rd 3 out, soon ridden, no impression in moderate 4th after 2 out, 4th of 5, 13l behind Vent De La Cote (11-3) at Ballinrobe 2m 1f hvy in Apr.
The Winkler (IRE) Evensfav (11-12) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, 3rd before 4 out, blundered 3 out, progress to challenge last and soon led, stayed on well run-in, won at Downpatrick 2m 5f Good - Yielding in Mar beating Aminabad (11-12) by 9 1/2l, 7 ran.
Blue Bicycle (USA) 9-4fav (11-12) Chased leader, 2nd halfway, ridden and challenged entering straight, no extra in 2nd before last, kept on same pace, 2nd of 10, 6l behind Unic De Bersy (11-12) at Wexford 2m 4f gd in Oct.
Fine Article (IRE) Evensfav (11-12) Pecked 1st, bad mistake and unseated rider 2nd, at Fairyhouse 2m 5f Soft - Heavy in Apr.
Goulane Chosen (IRE) 11-4 (11-12) Led, joined before 4 out, headed 2 out, no impression and jumped left at last, one pace and dropped to 3rd closing stages, 3rd of 10, 10l behind Fine Theatre (11-12) at Gowran Park 2m 4f hvy in Mar.
Katnap (FR) 3-1 (11-12) Chased leader, led 4th, headed before next, 4th 3 out, ridden in 5th entering straight, no impression 2 out, kept on one pace, 6th of 9, 28 1/4l behind Caolaneoin (11-12) at Naas 2m hvy in Mar.
Kansas City Chief (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) Soon disputed lead, headed after 4th, tracked leader, 3rd before 9th, pushed along approaching 4 out, slight mistake 2 out, no impression when left disputing at last where bad mistake, soon led and kept on, won at Thurles 2m 6f Yielding in Mar beating So Young (11-12) by 3/4l, 8 ran.
