settled mid-division, moderate 5th halfway, progress into moderate 3rd 3 out, ridden and closer before 2 out, 2nd and no impression on winner run-in, kept on same pace
chased leaders early, slow 2nd, moderate 4th halfway, ridden and no impression after 3 out
chased leaders early, moderate 3rd halfway, slight mistake 7th, 4th and no impression 3 out, no extra before straight
led, slight mistake 1st, pressed entering straight, headed before 2 out, no extra before last, dropped to 3rd run-in
held up towards rear, moderate 5th and no impression after 3 out, ridden into 4th entering straight, kept on one pace
tracked leader in 2nd, challenged entering straight, led before 2 out, clear before last where slight mistake, pushed out run-in, easily
always towards rear, no impression 3 out, ridden and no extra before straight
held up towards rear, mistake 7th and unseated rider
Make My Heart Fly and Tintangle represent Gordon Elliott, the former having reverted to hurdles after landing a similar race at Roscommon in July and the latter having won this last year though there were only four runners. Trumps Ace completed a double in minor handicaps on the course at the turn of the year but this is much tougher while ANDALUSA couldn't quite handle Grade 3 company at Roscommon after two very easy novice victories. The latter just gets the vote ahead of Western Victory, who fell at the last when in the lead at Listowel and an obvious threat if none the worse for the mishap.
Make My Heart Fly (IRE) 40-1 (11-5) Mid-division on inner, closer in 5th 3 out, ridden in 3rd next, soon no impression, 5th of 10, 18 1/4l behind Red Gerry (10-11) at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp Yielding in Oct.
Tintangle (IRE) 9-2 (11-0) Led, joined 8th, slight mistake next and headed briefly, led again after 4 out, 2 lengths advantage when pecked badly 2 out and unseated rider, at Limerick 2m 7f (1) hvy in Mar.
Trumps Ace (IRE) 11-1 (11-6) Towards rear, bad mistake 1st, some headway into 8th approaching 3 out, soon pushed along and no impression early straight, no extra, 10th of 16, dist behind Well Joey (11-9) at Thurles 2m 4f hcp Yielding - Soft in Mar.
Andalusa (FR) 11-8fav (11-0) Held up in touch in rear, improved to dispute 4th 3 out, went 3rd and switched right to challenge after 2 out, ridden and no impression on leaders, 3rd of 7, 6l behind Benruben (11-3) at Roscommon 2m 1f (1) gd in Sep.
Humm Baby (IRE) 15-2 (11-4) Mid-division, headway on outer into 5th 2 out, ridden in 3rd entering straight, went moderate 2nd at last, kept on without threatening winner inside final furlong, 2nd of 10, 5l behind Red Gerry (10-11) at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp Yielding in Oct.
Western Victory (IRE) 6-5fav (11-9) Led, 2 lengths lead approaching 2 out, soon pushed along and 1 length advantage when fell last, at Listowel 2m 4f sft in Sep.
Dont Kick Nor Bite (IRE) 25-1 (10-5) Always towards rear, never a factor, in rear 7th and soon detached, weakened, well behind and pulled up after 3 out, at Cork 2m 4f hcp sft in Jan.
Laureate 25-1 (11-7) Mid-division, 8th halfway, ridden and no impression before 2 out, last of 12, 20 3/4l behind Fag An Bealach (11-7) at Downpatrick 2m 3f Yielding in Oct.
