raced in 2nd until left in lead from 3rd, joined briefly 5 out, driven along when pressed after 2 out, ridden to assert after last, comfortably
led until blundered and unseated rider 3rd
tracked leaders in 3rd, left 2nd from 3rd, disputed lead briefly 5 out, driven along to keep in touch after 3 out, ridden from next, no impression from last, stayed on without threatening closing stages
held up in rear, weakened before 3 out, eased from next
Sizing Europe landed this a year ago for the same owners/trainer/jockey combination as today's likely winner LOOSEN MY LOAD. Henry De Bromhead's charge, a Grade 2 winning hurdler, will no doubt be bidding to emulate the exploits of his illustrious stablemate later in the season and he has jumped superbly to score impressively on both starts over fences here and at Listowel. Darceys Dancer was 20 lengths behind Loosen My Load here in May but has improved subsequently and won nicely at Gowran last time. Strongpoint has won two of his four starts over the bigger obstacles and would have won another but for falling at Kilbeggan in May while Norther Bay will appreciate the fast ground after a poor run on softer going at Listowel.
Loosen My Load (IRE) 8-15fav (10-13) Made all, asserted before 2 out where slight mistake, kept on strongly, easily, won at Listowel 2m 3f chs in Sep beating Schelm (11-3) by 3 1/2l, 5 ran.
Strongpoint (IRE) 3-1 (10-12) Led and took keen hold, not fluent 1st, ridden and headed last, flashed tail flat, no extra final 100 yards, 3rd of 6, 5l behind Now This Is It (11-1) at Kelso 2m 6f hdl (3) gd.
Darceys Dancer (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, closer in 3rd halfway, good headway to dispute after 4 out, appeared to be travelling best when left clear after 3 out, kept on well, easily, won at Gowran Park 2m 1f beg chs beating Your Busy (11-12) by 5l, 8 ran.
Norther Bay (FR) 5-1 (10-12) Mid-division, 8th halfway, ridden and weakened before 4 out, 13th of 18, 31l behind Gonebeyondrecall (11-1) at Listowel 2m 3f chs gd in Sep.
Seeability (IRE) 12-1 (11-2) Raced in last, mistake 2nd, 5th from 8th, weakened from 3 out, tailed off when jumped right 2 out and mistake last, 4th of 6, well behind Beau Michael (11-5) at Tipperary 2m 4f nov chs (1).
