chased leaders, soon moderate 3rd, closer in 2nd under 5f out, on terms from under 4f out, dropped to 3rd and no extra 1f out, kept on same pace
waited with, well off pace towards rear, closer in 7th before straight, kept on same pace under pressure from under 2f out
chased leaders, moderate 4th halfway, weakened quickly from under 7f out, soon behind, completely tailed off
soon raced in moderate 2nd, closed and led under 5f out, joined from under 4f out, ridden before straight, headed 1f out, soon no impression, dropped to 3rd near finish
chased leaders, soon moderate 5th, closer order in 3rd from under 5f out, going well straight and ridden to lead 1f out, stayed on well inside final furlong
led, soon clear, quickly reduced advantage and headed under 5f out, soon dropped behind, completely tailed off
waited with, soon moderate 8th, closer in 6th under 5f out, no impression under pressure in 4th 1f out, kept on same pace
waited with well off pace towards rear, some headway before straight, no impression and kept on same pace from 2f out
waited with, soon moderate 7th, progress from 7f out, 4th under 5f out, lost place and no extra from over 1f out
waited with, well off pace towards rear, closer in 8th before straight, kept on same pace under pressure from under 2f out
mid-division, soon moderate 6th, closer in 5th under 5f out, no impression under pressure from over 1f out, kept on without troubling winner into 2nd near finish
A very strong bumper in which Aidan O'Brien runs the only newcomer, King Leon, who is bred to be a chaser. WICKLOW BRAVE is only a four-year-old and faces his stiffest task to date but he's beaten a couple of well-regarded types in his last two races and can improve enough to complete a treble. Western Boy gets the maiden allowance and his close second in a Limerick Listed contest on his debut suggests he won't be far away while Elsie gained compensation for running out when in the lead at Killarney with a very impressive victory at Punchestown. Upsanddowns, a very easy winner when well supported at Kilbeggan, is another to note in a much stronger bumper than usual.
Celtic Fashion (IRE) 8-1 (11-11) Settled behind leaders in 4th, 5th over 4f out, ridden into 3rd 1 1/2f out, no impression leaders 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 7, 2 1/2l behind Wicklow Brave (11-10) at Listowel 2m N H flat hvy in Sep.
Ebazziyr (IRE) 11-4 (11-11) Chased leaders in 4th, closer entering straight, soon ridden and no impression in 4th over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 5th of 8, 8l behind Made In Germany (11-11) at Curragh 2m mdn nhf gs in May.
Har Will (IRE) 12-1 (11-7) Chased leaders at modest pace, 5th over 4f out, soon raced wide and pushed along, no impression and kept on same pace from over 2f out, 8th of 10, 31l behind Time For A Pint (12-0) at Galway 2m 2f N H flat gf in Sep.
Upsanddowns (IRE) 9-2 (11-9) Tracked leader, on terms and clear of remainder from 4f out, led over 2f out, ridden clear into straight, stayed on well final furlong, comfortably, won at Kilbeggan 2m 3f N H flat gd in Aug beating Marley Exit (11-4) by 13l, 16 ran.
Wicklow Brave 7-4fav (11-10) Chased leader, 3rd halfway, ridden to challenge 1 1/2f out, disputed inside final furlong and just ahead at line, won at Listowel 2m N H flat hvy in Sep beating Yes Sir Brian (11-10) by shd, 7 ran.
Castlecave (IRE) 14-1 (11-2) Prominent at modest pace, 3rd over 2f out, no impression and kept on same pace from before straight, 4th of 10, 16l behind Time For A Pint (12-0) at Galway 2m 2f N H flat gf in Sep.
Elsie (IRE) 11-10fav (11-4) Mid-division, headway under 4f out, 2nd entering straight, ridden to lead 1 1/2f out, clear final furlong, easily, won at Punchestown 2m 1f nhf gd in May '12 beating Forced Kin (10-13) by 8l, 16 ran.
Kalanelli (IRE) 5-1 (11-1) Towards rear, close up in 6th halfway, ridden 4f out, soon no extra, trailing in straight, 6th of 7, 44l behind Dazzling Susie (11-2) at Punchestown 2m mrs N H flat hvy in Feb '11.
Pepelina (IRE) 9-4fav (10-12) Took keen hold, held up in mid-division, smooth headway 4f out, chased leaders 3f out, went 2nd over 2f out, led well over 1f out, soon quickened clear, very easily, won at Lingfield 2m Mares Nat Hunt Flat (4-6yo) (AW) (6) sft in Nov beating Amazing D'azy (10-5) by 10l, 13 ran.
Queen Alphabet (IRE) 11-2 (10-9) Waited with towards rear and well off pace, closer order to chase leaders but still a lot to do approaching straight, closed to challenge from over 1f out, soon led, stayed on well to hold on at the finish, won at Roscommon 2m 4yo nhf gf in Aug beating No Cash Flow (11-0) by hd, 17 ran.
Western Boy (IRE) 8-1 (11-4) Mid-division, ridden in 7th entering straight, kept on without threatening, 4th of 22, 13l behind Very Wood (11-2) at Punchestown 2m 4yo nhf sft in Apr.
Mill Forge 14-1 (11-7) Soon tracked leaders at modest pace, 5th into straight, 3rd over 1f out, soon no impression, kept on same pace, 4th of 18, 4 1/2l behind Ivy Gate (11-7) at Listowel 2m 4f N H flat sft in Sep.
King Leon (IRE) Mountain High gelding out of None The Wiser.
