led and a few lengths clear, mistake 4th, reduced advantage 4 out, challenged and pecked 2 out, soon headed and ridden, no extra in 3rd before last (poor visibility)
held up, rear from 2nd, 4th 4 out, closer 3 out, progress into 3rd 2 out, soon 2nd and ridden, no impression on winner from last, kept on same pace (poor visibility)
chased leaders early, 4th from 3rd, 3rd halfway, progress into 2nd 3 out, challenged 2 out and soon led, ridden before last, kept on well (poor visibility)
chased leader in 2nd, 3rd 3 out, ridden and no extra before 2 out, weakened (poor visibility)
rear early, improved to 3rd at 2nd, 4th halfway, dropped to rear 4 out, no impression before 3 out, weakened and completely tailed off (poor visibility)
Whole Nine Yards looks outclassed but the remaining quartet can be given chances. Couleur France and Marvellous Moment fought out the finish of a maiden hurdle over the course and distance a fortnight ago, both running very well and looking as though they would improve for the run. The latter, a winning point-to-pointer, was having his first start under Rules but the winner had a bit in hand and can confirm the form. Bosman Rule could hardly have won more easily at Listowel in September despite several sticky jumps and went to Cork as a short-priced favourite but jumped even worse. He'll need to do better here to see off DRUMACOO, who looks the one to be on. Mick Hourigan's charge had experience over timber earlier this year but won a bumper at Downpatrick last month before reverting to hurdles with an impressive display over this trip at Punchestown.
Bosman Rule (IRE) 11-10fav (11-10) Led, not fluent 2nd and 4th, mistake 5 out, pressed and not fluent 3 out, soon headed, 3rd 2 out, dropped to last from last, one pace, 5th of 6, 7l behind Talk The Lingo (11-10) at Cork 3m nh nov hdl in Oct.
Couleur France (IRE) 11-10fav (11-4) Held up towards rear, closer in 6th before 3 out, 3rd entering straight, travelled well to challenge after 2 out, ridden to lead before last, kept on strongly from last, comfortably, won at Thurles 2m 6f mdn hdl gd beating Marvellous Moment (11-4) by 5l, 8 ran.
Drumacoo (IRE) 11-10fav (11-12) Chased leaders, 3rd after 3rd, slight mistake 6th, 2nd travelling smoothly approaching straight, led last, pushed out to assert run-in, won at Punchestown 2m 6f mdn hdl gd in Oct beating Roi Des Francs (11-12) by 2 1/4l, 8 ran.
Marvellous Moment (IRE) 4-1 (11-4) Disputed early, chased leaders from 2nd, 3rd halfway, improved to challenge entering straight, narrow lead and slight mistake 2 out, soon ridden and strongly pressed, headed before last, no extra run-in and kept on same pace, 2nd of 8, 5l behind Couleur France (11-4) at Thurles 2m 6f mdn hdl gd.
Whole Nine Yards (IRE) 20-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden and no extra 6f out, soon weakened and tailed off, 7th of 12, well behind Neatly Put (11-6) at Thurles 2m NH flat gd.
