soon raced in moderate 4th, closer in 3rd on outer straight, led before last and hung left briefly, ridden out to assert run-in
chased leader in 2nd, closed from 2 out, no impression under pressure and kept on same pace from last
soon raced in moderate 6th, struggling in 5th from 2 out, kept on same pace
soon raced in moderate 3rd, closed from 2 out, no impression under pressure in 4th from before last, kept on same pace
soon clear leader, reduced lead from 2 out, headed and no impression from before last
well off pace in mid-division, moderate 5th approaching 3 out, no extra next
well off pace in rear, fell 3 out
soon moderate 7th, no extra from before 2 out
well off pace towards rear, no extra from before 2 out
False Economy, Wee Giant and Bleakfield Lady ran up to a similar level when landing maiden hurdles last year and are all worthy of consideration on their return to action. Joe Smooth has improved in defeat since losing his maiden tag at Punchestown in January and could also figure, but the vote goes to FINAL VICTORY. A winner at Navan earlier, he was a losing favourite when fourth at Gowran on his latest start but that form looks better in hindsight with the subsequent victory of the runner-up. He'll handle this quicker ground and is taken to make amends.
False Economy (IRE) 10-1 (11-1) Mid-division, 6th 3 out, soon ridden, no impression straight, 5th of 11, 12l behind Oilily (10-10) at Tipperary 2m nov hdl Grd 3 (1) in Oct.
Final Victory 7-4fav (11-12) Towards rear in 6th, struggling from 3 out, kept on same pace from between last 2, 4th of 7, 9l behind Ruler Of All (11-12) at Gowran Park 2m nov hdl (4-6yo) sft in Mar.
Rockazar 8-1 (11-6) Held up, progress into 7th 4 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace, 4th of 13, 4l behind Turner Brown (11-7) at Punchestown 2m hcp hdl 80-109 gd in Oct.
Wee Giant (USA) 7-4fav (11-6) Tracked leaders in 3rd, improved into 2nd travelling well approaching 2 out, ridden to challenge before last, stayed on well closing stages, just held, 2nd of 6, 1/2l behind Foildubh (11-12) at Tramore 2m nh nov hdl in Dec.
Bleakfield Lady (IRE) 20-1 (11-7) Led, headed before straight, soon no extra, 9th of 17, 37l behind Quiet Thought (11-2) at Limerick 2m 3f Mares Hurdle (5yo+).
Ross Limestone (IRE) 25-1 (11-12) Mid-division, 9th halfway, ridden in 8th entering straight, no impression in 6th 2 out, kept on one pace, 7th of 13, 18l behind Mackeys Forge (11-12) at Navan 2m mdn hdl sft in Dec.
Sea Of Erris (IRE) 50-1 (11-7) Prominent, 4th halfway, 6th 3 out, no extra from next, 9th of 25, 27l behind Old Si (11-5) at Fairyhouse 2m 5yo mdn hdl sft in Feb '08.
Snow Flyer (IRE) 14-1 (11-3) Mid-division, 11th approaching 5 out, 9th after 3 out, soon no impression, 6th of 18, 26l behind Definite Class (11-2) at Clonmel 2m Maiden Hurdle (5-6yo) in Feb.
Tynaghs Trooper (IRE) 20-1 (11-8) Held up towards rear, some headway in 10th 2 out, ridden into 6th last, no impression run-in, kept on same pace, 6th of 14, 10l behind One Fine Morning (11-8) at Galway 2m 4yo mdn hdl gd in Oct.
Joe Smooth 14-1 (11-8) Settled mid-division, 6th halfway, headway in 3rd before straight, challenged in 2nd when bad mistake 2 out, ridden and no extra before last, 6th of 10, 15l behind Canaly (11-7) at Gowran Park 2m nh nov hdl.
