led and attempted to make all, strongly pressed when mistake last, headed run-in, kept on under pressure but not quite match winner
tracked leader in 2nd when pulled up injured before 4th, dead
tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, 4th 2 out, no impression approaching last, kept on one pace
tracked leaders, 4th halfway, 3rd 3 out, 2nd and ridden before last, no impression in 3rd run-in, kept on one pace
held up in rear, in touch 2 out, no impression approaching last
chased leaders, 5th halfway, no impression approaching last
settled towards rear, 5th 2 out, poised to challenge on inner approaching last, pushed out to lead narrowly run-in, kept on best despite swishing tail
tracked leaders, 2nd halfway, no extra after 2 out, weakened
SAM BASS had His Excellency, One Cool Shabra and Burrenbridge Lodge behind when landing a Grade 3 at Fairyhouse three weeks ago and there's no apparent reason why he shouldn't confirm the form. He doesn't do any more than is necessary in his races and should be good enough though Dermot Weld has an interesting newcomer to hurdling in Celebrity Sevi, a rapidly improving type on the Flat who won a Listed event at Dundalk on his latest start last month. He looks better than stablemate El Toreros but Edward O'Grady's recent acquisition from France Pur Style is a Listed winner in her native country and should be noted.
One Cool Shabra (IRE) 11-8fav (10-11) Made all, jumped left at times, strongly pressed and ridden before 2 out, not fluent last, kept on well under pressure run-in, all out close home, won at Gowran Park 2m 3yo hdl sft beating Bat Masterson (10-8) by hd, 11 ran.
Sam Bass (IRE) 9-4fav (10-13) Tracked leader in 2nd, challenged early straight, led travelling best approaching last, kept on well after being pressed early run-in, won at Fairyhouse 2m 3yo hdl Grd 3 (1) sft beating His Excellency (10-9) by 1 1/2l, 9 ran.
Blue Cannon (IRE) 7-2 (11-3) Prominent and tracked leader in 2nd, pushed along and dropped to 4th before 2 out, soon weakened, 5th of 7, 46l behind One Cool Shabra (10-10) at Punchestown 2m 3yo hdl sft in Nov.
Burrenbridge Lodge (IRE) 9-2 (10-13) Tracked leaders in 4th, ridden and no impression in 3rd early straight, no extra in 4th from before last, 4th of 9, 10l behind Sam Bass (10-13) at Fairyhouse 2m 3yo hdl Grd 3 (1) sft.
Celebrity Sevi (IRE) 11-4fav (9-3) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, headway to challenge 2f out, ridden to lead 1 1/2f out, kept on well under pressure final furlong, won at Dundalk 1m 3f Listed stks (1) pol in Nov beating Priomhbhean (9-4) by 1/2l, 9 ran (flat).
El Toreros (USA) 14-1 (11-0) Rear of mid-division, headway into 6th entering straight, ridden in 5th 2 out, kept on well run-in to 3rd close home, 3rd of 16, 2l behind Leroy Parker (11-0) at Fairyhouse 2m 3yo mdn hdl sft in Nov.
His Excellency (IRE) 14-1 (10-9) Rear of mid-division, some headway early straight, good progress into close 3rd at last despite swishing tail, soon challenged briefly, no impression on winner final 50 yards, 2nd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Sam Bass (10-13) at Fairyhouse 2m 3yo hdl Grd 3 (1) sft.
Pur Style (FR) (10-3) 3rd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Princesse Kap (10-3) at Auteuil(FR) 2m 2f 3yo hdl Grd 3 (1) hvy in Nov.
