held up in 5th, closer order after 4 out in 4th, pushed along approaching straight in 3rd, soon 4th again, not fluent 2 out, soon under pressure and no impression, moderate 3rd at last, one pace
chased leaders, soon 4th, closer order from 4 out in 3rd, 2nd 3 out, challenged from next, soon on terms, led and stayed on best run-in
chased leaders, soon 3rd, slight mistake 4 out, soon dropped to 5th, 3rd again into straight, slight mistake 2 out, soon under pressure and no impression, 4th at last and slight mistake, one pace
led and disputed, pushed along approaching straight, joined after 2 out, headed and kept on without matching winner run-in
close up and disputed, pushed along at stages, ridden from 4 out, 3rd and slight mistake 3 out, dropped to 5th approaching straight, last before 2 out, eased, tailed off
in rear, slight mistake 4 out and pushed along, soon under pressure and no impression, poor 5th before 2 out, slight mistake last, one pace
Jack The Wire completed a double in a strong handicap on heavy ground at Listowel but has run very poorly in both subsequent starts. Billy's Hope ran his best race to date when third in a Gowran Listed contest in September but couldn't quite replicate that form when strongly fancied at Wexford and this looks tougher. BOBARLEE has looked in need of a stiffer test of stamina and she should get that here as Dounikos is likely to make this a strong gallop. Willie Mullins' mare can get the better of her rival, a winning point-to-pointer and bumper, who was value for more than the two-length winning margin over this course and distance three weeks ago. Burndown is progressing fast and with his yard in tremendous form he'll make a bold bid to add to his battling victory at Wexford.
Jack The Wire (IRE) 16-1 (10-0) Towards rear, struggling 4 out, 10th of 16, 34 1/2l behind North Hill Harvey (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (1) sft in Nov.
Billy's Hope (IRE) Evensfav (11-3) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, pushed along after 2 out, ridden and kept on in 3rd run-in, 3rd of 8, 1/2l behind Abbey Magic (11-3) at Wexford 2m 4f gd in Oct.
Bobarlee (IRE) 10-3jfav (11-10) Held up, 7th halfway, ridden to progress before straight, 2nd entering straight, stayed on to challenge 2 out, under pressure in 2nd and switched left before last, kept on same pace, 2nd of 9, 3 1/2l behind Magna Cartor (11-5) at Wexford 2m gd in Oct.
Dounikos (FR) 9-10fav (11-12) Led and disputed, slight mistake 6th, left in lead 7th and slight mistake, pressed before 3 out, asserted before 2 out, ridden clear before last, kept on well, slightly reduced advantage close home, comfortably, won at Thurles 2m 7f mdn gd in Nov beating Robbina (10-11) by 2l, 10 ran.
Burndown (IRE) 4-5fav (11-12) Led and disputed, slight mistake and headed 4th, disputed again before 7th, led 4 out and mistake, ridden entering straight, slight mistake last, pressed run-in, all out close home, won at Wexford 2m 4f mdn gd in Oct beating Call The Taxie (11-12) by hd, 9 ran.
Dontdelay (IRE) 20-1 (10-4) Held up, 13th after 6th, pushed along approaching 8th, soon no danger, tailed off, 16th of 20, dist behind Go It Alone (11-8) at Tipperary 2m 4f hcp Yielding - Soft in Apr.
