settled in 3rd, not fluent 4 out and 3 out, good headway to lead before 2 out, strongly pressed approaching last, headed run-in and no chance with easy winner
tracked leader in 2nd, led 3 out, strongly pressed and headed before next, no extra in 3rd before last
settled in rear, closer approaching straight and went 2nd before 2 out, smooth headway to challenge last, cruised into lead on run-in, unextended
led, headed 3 out, no extra and dropped to rear before next, weakened
Charlie Swan won this a year ago and will be hoping Make A Track can double up. The dual bumper winner defied heavy ground and a trip that looked too short to make a very impressive start over timber at Punchestown and looks potentially useful. Springfield Way, a winning point-to-pointer and bumper, battled to victory over this trip at Gowran on his hurdling bow and won't go down without a fight but this can go to TEXAS JACK. Noel Meade's charge beat a huge field on his debut in a Punchestown bumper and though looking in need of the experience made a very bright start to his hurdling career at Fairyhouse. Simon Says has shown nothing to suggest he can trouble these rivals.
Make A Track (IRE) 5-2 (11-12) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, headway into 2nd 2 out, improved to lead before last, ridden and kept on well run-in, won at Punchestown 2m mdn hdl hvy in Oct beating Reizovic (11-12) by 3/4l, 17 ran.
Springfield Way (IRE) 2-1fav (11-12) Always prominent, led after 4 out, niggled along before straight, strongly pressed and joined last, stayed on best to edge ahead run-in, won at Gowran Park 2m 4f mdn hdl sft in Oct beating Thewesthowaya (11-7) by hd, 11 ran.
Texas Jack (IRE) 11-10fav (11-12) Settled mid-division, 9th halfway, headway in 4th entering straight, closed in 3rd 2 out, pushed out to lead before last, in control run-in, comfortably, won at Fairyhouse 2m 4f mdn hdl gd in Oct beating Dynamic Approach (11-7) by 1 1/4l, 16 ran.
Simon Says (IRE) 9-4 (11-9) Ld, n j fluent, still adv 2out, jnd bef last where fell, in a race won by Easy Vic (12-0) at Glenbane 3m ire ptp gs in Oct, 14 ran.
