tracked leaders, soon 4th, slight mistake 4 out, closed up travelling smoothly approaching straight, on terms before 2 out, led approaching last, quickly asserted and stayed on well, easily
waited with towards rear, pushed along after 3 out and some headway, soon one pace
waited with towards rear, pushed along from 3 out and some headway, soon one pace
tracked leaders, soon 3rd, pushed along before straight, on terms before 2 out, soon headed and one pace
led, headed after 2nd and raced in 2nd, slightly slow in jumping at times, pushed along 3 out, on terms before 2 out, headed approaching last, soon no extra, one pace run-in, 2nd near line
raced in 2nd, led after 2nd, joined before 2 out, headed approaching last where slight mistake, no extra and one pace run-in, dropped to 3rd near line
HES A HARDY BLOKE won a bumper in October and put the experience of his hurdling debut to good use when defying a last-flight error to score with a bit in hand at Punchestown. He's penalised for that but should have no problems with Bal De Rio, 0-18 over timber, or Takarengo, placed in the Cesarewitch at Newmarket but disappointing over hurdles. Yafordadoe, an easy winner at Ballinrobe in August, has run moderately the last twice while Listowel maiden winner Annie Pender never got into contention at Limerick last time. Majestic Maid won convincingly over 2m4f here in November and didn't run badly in Listed company next time so looks the main threat.
Hes A Hardy Bloke (IRE) 10-3 (12-0) Tracked leaders in 3rd, improved into 2nd when mistake at last, ridden to lead inside final furlong, stayed on well close home, won at Punchestown 2m mdn hvy in Dec beating Envious Editor (12-0) by 4l, 17 ran.
Bal De Rio (FR) 25-1 (12-0) Chased leader, 4th after 7th, lost place after 4 out, weakened and pulled up before 3 out, at Limerick 2m 4f mdn hvy in Dec.
Yafordadoe (IRE) 33-1 (10-9) Held up, ridden entering straight, kept on one pace from before last, 10th of 20, 16 3/4l behind Master Mcshee (11-7) at Leopardstown 2m hcp sft in Dec.
Majestic Maid (IRE) 20-1 (10-13) Mid-division, 5th halfway, pushed along 3 out, ridden and no impression after 2 out, kept on one pace, 5th of 8, 14 1/2l behind Skyace (11-6) at Punchestown 2m 4f lst (1) hvy in Dec.
Takarengo (IRE) 16-1 (11-9) Disputed lead early, headed 2nd and remained prominent, 2nd halfway, lost place 2 out and no extra early straight, weakened, 7th of 20, dist behind Gaillard Du Mesnil (11-9) at Leopardstown 2m 4f mdn sft in Dec.
Annie Pender (IRE) 4-1 (11-1) Held up towards rear, not clear run briefly entering straight, pushed along into moderate 5th 2 out, kept on one pace without threatening, 4th of 8, 16 1/4l behind Kitty Galore (10-3) at Limerick 2m hcp sft in Oct.
