disputed lead, led before 3rd, pushed along and joined before 2 out, headed after 2 out, ridden in 2nd when not fluent last, no impression, kept on one pace
held up in touch in rear, a little keen, 6th halfway, headway travelling well on outer entering straight, 3rd 2 out, pushed along and led last, quickly asserted, kept on well
held up in touch, 5th halfway, travelling well after 3 out, pushed along and no impression in close 6th when fell 2 out
held up in touch, 3rd halfway, pushed along entering straight, ridden in close 5th 2 out, no impression in 4th at last, went 3rd final 50 yards, kept on same pace under pressure
tracked leaders, slight mistake 4th, 4th halfway, pushed along before 2 out, ridden and no impression in 5th before last, kept on one pace
disputed lead, headed before 3rd, 2nd halfway, not fluent 6th, on terms again before 2 out, ridden and headed after 2 out, no impression in 3rd at last, kept on one pace, 4th final 50 yards
The veteran Bellgrove isn't finished yet but arrives with a penalty for last week's victory at Thurles. He should get into the frame again but Jim Dreaper has a strong hand with SHOPPING AROUND and Mullaghmurphy Blue. The latter hasn't been at his best but the former, who completed a double over hurdles here early last year, ran well at Limerick in the summer and wouldn't be inconvenienced by testing ground. Ricky Langford is very consistent over hurdles and fences, though 8lb higher than his victory over the bigger obstacles at Ballinrobe, while Dontdooddson is up 7lb for his victory at Killarney earlier this month, though that was his first start for almost a year.
Ciankyle (IRE) 28-1 (12-0) Led, joined from 6th, led 4 out, headed after next and ridden, stumbled on bend before 2 out, weakened, 6th of 8, 10 1/2l behind Owenacurra Lass (12-0) at Tramore 2m 4f hcp gd in Oct.
Shopping Around (IRE) 11-2 (11-11) Held up mid-division, 8th halfway, progress to 3rd 3 out, pushed along in 4th when switched left before 2 out, bumped rival and not fluent 2 out, ridden in 2nd before last, no impression on winner run-in, kept on one pace, 2nd of 15, 6 1/2l behind Flamingo's Court (11-11) at Limerick 2m 4f hcp gd in Jul.
Dontdooddson (FR) 10-1 (11-12) Mid-division and 7th from halfway, not fluent 5 out and again 4 out, improved into 3rd before next and pushed along in 2nd before last, ridden to challenge run-in and kept on best to lead close home, won at Killarney 2m 1f hcp Yielding - Soft in Oct beating Clody Valley (11-3) by 1 1/4l, 10 ran.
Tiantu (IRE) 8-1 (11-6) Towards rear, ridden and no impression after 3 out, kept on one pace from next, 8th of 20, 26 1/4l behind Peace Party (11-0) at Gowran Park 2m hcp gd in Oct.
Mullaghmurphy Blue (IRE) 9-1 (12-0) Towards rear, rear of mid-division on inner halfway, 8th and pushed along approaching straight, soon ridden and no impression, slight mistake last, kept on one pace, 7th of 16, 10l behind Bellgrove (10-2) at Thurles 2m 2f hcp gd in Oct.
Trans Wood (IRE) 8-1 (11-7) Towards rear, no impression after 4 out, moderate 11th approaching straight, pushed along and no impression before last, kept on one pace run-in, never a factor, 8th of 16, 15 1/2l behind Bellgrove (10-2) at Thurles 2m 2f hcp gd in Oct.
Ricky Langford (IRE) 11-1 (11-4) In rear, carried slightly wide on bend after 1st, headway into closer 7th 2 out, ridden entering straight, 5th at last, went 3rd inside final furlong, 2nd and stayed on well close home, not reach winner, 2nd of 11, 1 3/4l behind Romella (11-6) at Punchestown 2m hcp gd in Oct.
Drummullagh Rocky (IRE) 6-1 (10-11) Prominent, led before 1st, joined 5th, led again before 7th, pushed along after 3 out, strongly pressed when slight mistake next, ridden and headed before last, no impression run-in, kept on one pace, dropped to 3rd close home, 3rd of 9, 5 1/2l behind Ricky Langford (11-0) at Ballinrobe 2m 1f hcp Yielding - Soft in Sep.
Bellgrove (IRE) 12-1 (10-2) Always prominent, led approaching 6th, joined 7th and headed 3 out, pushed along after next and led again early straight, kept on well to draw clear run-in, won at Thurles 2m 2f hcp gd in Oct beating Go Battle (10-9) by 5l, 16 ran.
