held up towards rear, headway on outer to chase leaders approaching straight, no impression and kept on same pace from 2f out
mid-division, pushed along to track leaders 4f out, no impression 2f out
in rear, pushed along approaching straight, soon no impression
chased leaders, pushed along approaching straight, no impression and kept on same pace from 2f out
chased leader in 2nd, on terms over 4f out, headed and pushed along approaching straight, soon no extra
chased leaders, pushed along from 4f out, no impression and kept on same pace from 2f out
chased leaders in 3rd, on terms over 4f out, led approaching straight, soon pushed along, headed over 1f out, switched right inside final furlong, kept on without matching winner
mid-division, headway to chase leader 2f out, challenged and led over 1f out, stayed on well
towards rear, pushed along 5f out, soon weakened, eased approaching straight, completely tailed off
led, soon clear, took keen hold, reduced lead over 6f out, edged right and joined over 4f out, headed approaching straight, no impression and kept on same pace from 2f out
SOME NECK started favourite for his debut here in December and though unable to quite match Gurteen time should tell he was facing a very stiff task. The winner already had three runs behind him and went on to score over hurdles so it's unlikely the selection will be taking on anything of his quality here. Sunni May made a bright start at Fairyhouse in April and though eventually beaten a long way on a return visit in November he should now be ready to do produce the goods. Gordon Elliott often runs horses in bumpers after they have run over timber and Doldrum Bay ran well for a long way behind Coney Island here in December so has to be respected. Elliott also runs Polymath, who is certain to improve for his run at Fairyhouse on New Year's Day while Noel Meade's horses are running well and he has some good chances earlier on the card so Kagney, a close second on his debut between the flags at Ballinaboola in November, is one to keep an eye on.
Blast Of Koeman (IRE) 10-1 (11-10) Mid-division, closer 7th 3 out, niggled along next, reminder approaching last, no impression, 7th of 22, 18 1/4l behind Lift The Latch (11-12) at Punchestown 2m mdn hvy in Jan.
Burrows Lane (FR) 11-2 (11-10) Tracked leaders, switched right and pushed along under 3f out, no impression and kept on same pace from 2f out, 6th of 12, 26 1/2l behind Death Duty (11-10) at Down Royal 2m Yielding in Oct.
Ceide Fields Tobougg gelding out of Florie.
Doldrum Bay (IRE) 14-1 (11-7) Not fluent 1st, soon mid-division, slow jump 4th, no extra from before straight, 7th of 17, 27 1/2l behind Coney Island (11-7) at Leopardstown 2m mdn hvy in Dec.
Kagney (IRE) 2-1 (11-10) Mid div, 3rd 1/2way, went 3l 2nd 4out, 2l dwn when left ld 2out, b hmprd sn aftr & jnd, hdd cl hm, just failed, 2nd of 10, hd behind Ballymountain Boy (11-5) at Ballinaboola 3m mdn hvy in Nov.
Polymath (IRE) 3-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, 6th halfway, pushed along in 3rd entering straight, under pressure and no impression in 4th over 1f out, kept on one pace inside final furlong to go moderate 3rd close home, 3rd of 14, 11 1/4l behind Stoneford (11-12) at Fairyhouse 2m hvy in Jan.
Some Neck (FR) 7-4fav (11-11) Tracked leader, 2nd halfway, disputed approaching straight and ridden to lead over 2f out, under pressure and headed 1f out, no impression on winner inside final furlong, 2nd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Gurteen (12-0) at Leopardstown 2m hvy in Dec.
Sunni May (IRE) 2-1jfav (11-9) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, improved to dispute 4 1/2f out, ridden and headed over 2f out, no extra in 4th 2f out, kept on one pace, 4th of 13, 18 1/4l behind Lucky Pass (11-9) at Fairyhouse 2m Soft - Heavy in Nov.
Tijuana Brass (IRE) Golden Lariat gelding out of Toordillon.
Smooth River (IRE) 17-2 (10-12) Pulled hard in mid-division, saddle slipped and headway to join winner after 6f, lost place over 5f out, weakened over 2f out, tailed off, 10th of 11, dist behind Spirit Of Kayf (11-5) at Ayr 2m (6) hvy in Jan.
Bobo Mac (IRE) 50-1 (11-9) Settled behind leaders, closer in 6th halfway, ridden and slightly hampered 3 out, no impression on leaders in 4th 2 out, kept on one pace, 4th of 22, 26 1/4l behind Woodland Opera (11-12) at Navan 2m mdn sft in Nov.
