raced 4th of the 5 until 2nd 3 out, ridden before straight, soon no impression, mistake last, dropped to 4th closing stages
led early, tracked leaders, led before 3 out, soon headed, dropped to moderate 3rd approaching straight, no extra and kept on same pace
waited with last of the 5, good headway 4 out, led next, travelling best before straight, went clear from before 2 out, stayed on well, easily
soon led, headed before 3 out, soon dropped to moderate 4th and no impression, kept on into poor 2nd closing stages
tracked leaders, dropped to last and no extra from 3 out, tailed off
Jessica Harrington is wasting no time with STEPS TO FREEDOM, who made a highly impressive hurdling debut in a moderate Fairyhouse maiden last month. This is a big step up in class but the Grade 2 bumper winner is highly regarded and can make the transition. Tavern Times continues to make very good progress and beat a strong field at Galway but Jim Will Fix It could find this on the short side as both hurdling victories have come over 2m4f. Bullock Harbour had no answer to Original Option at Listowel but that was a three-runner affair and he's better than that.
Bullock Harbour (IRE) 11-10fav (11-7) Tracked leader in 2nd, disputed from 3rd to 4th, joined issue again entering straight, headed after 2 out, soon ridden and no impression on winner run-in, 2nd of 3, 4l behind Original Option (11-10) at Listowel 2m 4f nh nov hdl sft in Sep.
Jim Will Fix It (IRE) 6-4fav (11-11) Made all, asserted from after 2 out, ridden to extend advantage before last, stayed on well, comfortably, won at Ballinrobe 2m 4f nov hdl gd in May beating Whats On The Menu (11-11) by 10l, 4 ran.
Tavern Times (IRE) 5-2fav (11-6) Chased leaders, mainly moderate 3rd, some slightly awkward jumps, closed 5 out, led from 2 out, clear before straight, reduced lead last, ridden out to assert run-in, won at Galway 2m 4f nh nov hdl gd in Jul beating Endless Intrigue (11-2) by 2 1/2l, 8 ran.
Bleakfield Lady (IRE) 16-1 (11-7) Led, slight mistake 5 out, headed before 2 out, soon no impression, 4th of 9, 12l behind Rebel Fitz (11-12) at Clonmel 2m nov hdl in Sep.
Shabra Charity (IRE) 40-1 (10-0) Led and soon clear, reduced advantage 4 out, strongly pressed 2 out and soon headed, kept on under pressure from before last, not quite match winner, 2nd of 6, nk behind Plan A (10-8) at Fairyhouse 2m hdl gd in Sep.
Eightybarackstreet (IRE) 13-2 (10-5) Tracked leaders, 3rd before 3 out, no extra from before next, 6th of 10, 13l behind The Bull Hayes (10-10) at Killarney 2m 1f hcp hdl in Aug.
Steps To Freedom (IRE) 2-7fav (11-12) Tracked leaders, 5th halfway, good headway into 2nd 3 out, smooth progress to lead after next, stretched clear run-in, very easily, won at Fairyhouse 2m mdn hdl gd in Sep beating Leceile (11-7) by 8l, 16 ran.
Kalann (IRE) 11-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, 5th halfway, went 3rd entering straight, soon ridden and 2nd at last, no impression on winner run-in, lost 2nd on line, 3rd of 13, 4 1/2l behind Street Entertainer (11-7) at Punchestown 2m 4yo hdl gd in May.
