tracked leaders, niggled at stages, a bit slow 6 out, ridden next, on terms from 3 out, 2nd before straight, soon no impression under pressure, kept on same pace
waited with, ridden 5 out, moderate 5th and no impression from after 3 out
tracked leaders, closed up to be on terms from 3 out, led before straight, clear before 2 out, stayed on well, easily
keen hold early and made most to 4 out where headed and weakened quickly, pulled up entering straight
waited with, went in pursuit of winner approaching 2 out, soon no impression and kept on same pace
chased leaders, 5th approaching 5 out, no extra from 3 out, completely tailed off
close up and led and disputed at stages, in front 4 out, headed before straight, soon no impression in 3rd, kept on same pace
in rear, hampered 4 out, pulled up before next
It's difficult to find one of the eight entries without a chance in a wide-open contest though the vote goes to FOLSOM BLUE. Conor O'Dwyer's charge has made fine progress and looked ideally suited by today's trip when slamming a decent field at Thurles last time. Castle Wings finished third that day but the heavier going will help while Archie Meade, who was quietly fancied, got no further than the fourth. Best Served Cold didn't look at his best behind My Murphy at Limerick and is better than that though the winner was very impressive and will take some beating if in the same kind of form. Daring Article was behind Best Served Cold in a Grade 3 at Cork but had shown better form in his previous starts. Knockgraffon King is a progressive stayer while Rourke's Cross didn't appear to stay 3m at Leopardstown in December.
Best Served Cold 9-4 (11-3) Chased leaders and niggled along at stages, ridden into 3rd approaching 2 out, soon no impression, kept on same pace, 3rd of 5, 8l behind My Murphy (11-0) at Limerick 3m nov hdl Grd 3 (1) hvy in Dec.
My Murphy (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Waited with 4th of the 5 for much, not fluent 5th, last approaching straight, good progress to challenge 2 out, led before last, stayed on well to assert closing stages, won at Limerick 3m nov hdl Grd 3 (1) hvy in Dec beating Please Talk (11-0) by 4l, 5 ran.
Folsom Blue (IRE) 9-2 (11-2) Chased leaders, closed from 5 out, led before straight, soon clear, stayed on well, comfortably, won at Thurles 2m 6f nov hdl sft in Jan beating Star Neuville (10-12) by 10l, 8 ran.
Archie Meade (IRE) 7-1 (11-5) Waited with until stumbled and unseated rider 4th, in a race won by Folsom Blue (11-2) at Thurles 2m 6f nov hdl sft in Jan, 8 ran.
Castle Wings (IRE) 9-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, lost place and struggling from before 4 out, soon moderate 4th, went moderate 3rd and kept on same pace from last, 3rd of 8, 17l behind Folsom Blue (11-2) at Thurles 2m 6f nov hdl sft in Jan.
Daring Article (IRE) 2-1fav (11-0) Tracked leaders, 2nd approaching straight, slipped on landing 3 out, soon no impression under pressure, kept on same pace, 3rd of 6, 6l behind Corbally Ghost (10-9) at Cork 3m nov hdl Grd 3 (1) in Dec.
Knockgraffon King (IRE) 5-4 (11-12) Made all, joined briefly entering straight, ridden and kept on well from 2 out, won at Navan 2m 7f mdn hdl in Jan beating Are Ya Right Chief (11-12) by 3l, 11 ran.
Rourke's Cross (IRE) 8-1 (10-10) Tracked leaders, 10th halfway, headway after 3 out, 4th entering straight, soon no extra and weakened, 8th of 25, 36l behind Jetson (10-9) at Leopardstown 3m hcp hdl sft in Dec.
