tracked leaders, soon 4th, closed from before straight, challenged and gained narrow lead before 2 out, ridden out to assert run-in, stayed on well, comfortably
a little keen, prominent, on terms approaching 3 out, led before straight, pressed and narrowly headed before 2 out, slight mistake last, no impression and one pace run-in
led, wandered and headed before 2nd, remained close up, 3rd and slight mistake 3 out, 4th from before straight, soon no impression, weakened
raced in moderate 6th, slight mistake 4th and pushed along briefly, not fluent next and under pressure, soon no danger, tailed off
towards rear, jumped big 3rd, went remote 6th before straight, soon no extra, tailed off
soon tracked leaders in 5th, pushed along approaching straight, soon no impression
soon raced in moderate 7th, never a factor, tailed off
always towards rear, never a factor, tailed off
a little keen, prominent, led before 2nd, joined approaching 3 out, headed before straight, soon no impression in 3rd
in rear for most, never a factor, tailed off
There's little to go on here so it would be no surprise if there was money for the newcomer Alto Esqua, who has a smart French jumping pedigree. Double Scores landed a point-to-point at Tyrella two years ago and should be capable of better than he's shown in subsequent bumpers but the vote goes to HENRY HOWARD. He didn't make his debut until last month and that was over 2m6f at Thurles. A bad mistake put him out of contention and though he'll need further in time he looks to have been found a good opportunity. Railway Rule had some promising bumper form and ran well over hurdles on good ground at Wexford but he's been well beaten in his last two starts. Robbina has shown the occasional glimpse of form though needs to step up a gear.
Alto Esqua (FR) Network gelding out of Kemia.
Double Scores (IRE) 4-1 (12-0) Tracked leader, pushed along approaching straight, soon 4th, no extra from under 2f out, eased inside final furlong, 7th of 8, 35l behind Don't Touch It (12-0) at Punchestown 2m gd in Oct.
Henry Howard (IRE) 6-1 (11-4) Settled behind leaders, 6th halfway, no impression before straight, mistake 2 out, no extra, 6th of 10, 36 1/4l behind Oscar Lantern (11-4) at Thurles 2m 6f mdn hvy in Jan.
Instant Smile (IRE) 20-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, no extra from before straight, 6th of 13, dist behind Deans Road (11-4) at Limerick 2m mdn hvy in Dec.
Island Eddie (IRE) 100-1 (11-12) Towards rear, jumped right and unseated rider 3rd, at Navan 2m mdn sft in Nov.
Railway Rule (IRE) 33-1 (11-4) Mid-division best, ridden in 11th before straight and no impression, kept on one pace, 9th of 18, 36 3/4l behind Fire In Soul (11-3) at Clonmel 2m mdn hvy in Feb.
Instinctly (IRE) 10-1 (11-5) Alw twrds rr, 7th aftr a mile, still cl 7th well aftr 4out, wknd frm 3out, 8th of 10, 36 1/2l behind Megabucks (11-10) at Dromahane 3m mdn in Oct.
Jacksey's Well (IRE) 50-1 (11-10) Soon mid-division, 14th approaching straight, no impression from before 2 out, 16th of 25, 35 1/4l behind Edwulf (11-12) at Naas 2m 3f mdn Soft - Heavy in Jan.
Robbina (IRE) 50-1 (10-13) Ran around and slight mistake 1st, soon chased leaders, 6th halfway, closer in 3rd 3 out, ridden in 6th entering straight, no impression before 2 out, kept on one pace, 5th of 16, 22 3/4l behind Water Sprite (11-6) at Clonmel 2m mdn hvy in Feb.
Lady Grandera (IRE) 50-1 (11-0) Prominent, led after 2f, came wide into straight, 2nd with over circuit to race, weakened to rear under 5f out, ridden and soon detached, pulled up under 3f out, at Roscommon 2m gd in Sep.
