disputed lead, headed from 2nd, close up and disputed after, some slight mistakes and not always fluent jumping, led from 8th, joined after 4 out, headed from 3 out, no extra from 2 out, one pace
chased leaders early, slight mistake 8th, soon raced in 6th, closed from 6 out to track leaders, effort straight, challenged and every chance run-in, kept on well without matching winner
chased leaders, 4th after 8th, closed up from 4 out, pushed along into straight, not fluent 3 out and no extra
pushed along briefly early, towards rear, pushed along again after 4 out, no impression approaching straight, soon no extra
chased leaders, 5th after 8th, soon lost position, pushed along after 4 out, no extra from before 3 out
disputed lead early, tracked leaders, soon 3rd, slightly slow 3rd, closed up from 4 out, soon on terms, led from 3 out, strongly pressed run-in, stayed on best
waited with towards rear, closed up to track leaders approaching straight, soon tight for room and switched right and effort, no extra last, one pace
keen, waited with early, closed up and on terms 2nd, soon led and disputed, headed from 8th, 2nd and slight mistake 6 out, weakened 4 out, tailed off
Winning point-to-pointer Velvet Elvis didn't show much in bumpers but staying is his game as he showed when chasing home the well-supported Torygraph at Fairyhouse with the rest, including Johngus, a long way behind. Mercury Lane takes a huge leap in distance after his second over 2m at Tramore but was narrowly beaten in a point-to-point so should be suited by the extra. PAT'S PICK, who won a lucrative Fairyhouse bumper on his racecourse debut, has been unlucky to run into some smart performers over timber and this should finally be his day. The Cool Dude was engaged in the 12.20 at Tramore yesterday.
Johngus (IRE) 20-1 (11-6) Chased leaders, slight mistakes 3rd and 4th, 4th halfway, ridden and no impression entering straight, no extra in 3rd before 2 out, kept on one pace, 4th of 11, 37l behind Torygraph (11-6) at Fairyhouse 2m 7f mdn Soft - Heavy in Dec.
Mercury Lane (IRE) 7-1 (12-0) Tracked leader in 2nd, disputed lead from 5th, led 4 out, ridden and strongly pressed before 2 out, joined after 2 out, headed and dropped to 3rd at last, no impression on winner inside final furlong, went 2nd near line, 2nd of 11, 2 3/4l behind Ennemi Public (12-0) at Tramore 2m hvy in Dec.
Pat's Pick (IRE) 13-2 (12-0) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, slight mistake 7th, 3rd 3 out, ridden and no impression 2 out, went 2nd before last, kept on one pace, 2nd of 9, 8l behind Farouk D'Alene (12-0) at Down Royal 2m 6f mdn Yielding - Soft in Oct.
Twelve Olympians (IRE) Windsor Knot colt out of Earth Charter.
The Cool Dude 100-1 (11-11) Rear of mid-division, closer in moderate 11th on outer 3 out, kept on one pace, 7th of 17, 31l behind Hes A Hardy Bloke (12-0) at Punchestown 2m mdn hvy in Dec.
Velvet Elvis (IRE) 9-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, improved to dispute 3 out, narrow lead entering straight, ridden before 2 out, headed after 2 out, kept on same pace from last, 2nd of 11, 13l behind Torygraph (11-6) at Fairyhouse 2m 7f mdn Soft - Heavy in Dec.
Emily Roebling (IRE) 11-1 (11-11) Soon tracked leaders, 4th approaching halfway, lost position before straight, soon no extra, 9th of 12, dist behind Patty D (11-11) at Limerick 2m hvy in Dec.
Tellemnothing (IRE) 16-1 (11-9) Towards rear, improved to take closer order from 4f out, ridden and went 2nd under 2f out, no extra and dropped to 5th inside final furlong, 5th of 8, 11 3/4l behind Miss Sapphire (11-6) at Limerick 2m hvy in Dec.
