led, joined from 7th, headed before 6 out, lost place approaching straight, soon no extra
soon chased leaders in 4th, pushed along from 4 out, soon no impression, eased from 3 out, completely tailed off
raced in 3rd, slight mistake 6 out, pushed along from next, got on terms approaching straight, not fluent 3 out, bad mistake 2 out, no impression in 4th approaching last, one pace
held up in 5th, moderate 4th early straight, no extra and eased from 3 out
raced in 2nd, on terms from 7th, led before 6 out, joined approaching straight, led again from 2 out, pressed and stayed on well run-in
in rear, pushed along to go moderate 3rd early straight, went 2nd approaching last, rider without whip and kept on without getting to winner close home
towards rear, went moderate 5th early straight, improved under pressure into 3rd approaching last, soon no impression, one pace
Ask Vic has only been beaten once in five starts and scored with something in hand in a Listowel handicap in September. This is a step up in grade and trip but she looks the type to be suited and she'll be difficult to beat. However, MARCHESE MARCONI has been in such good form on the Flat following his facile victory over hurdles at Galway that he's taken to land this for Aidan O'Brien. Elsie was a length behind the selection at Punchestown in May and has been chasing but Thekingofconnemara is ideally suited by the trip and already has a course and distance victory to his credit. Former point-to-pointer Talk The Lingo is doing well under Rules though will need to step up on his narrow victory here last month.
Draycott Place (IRE) 9-1 (11-5) Led, slight mistake 5th, challenged before straight, ridden and headed before 2 out, no extra in 3rd when slight mistake 2 out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 4, 13l behind Hash Brown (11-5) at Limerick 2m 5f nov hdl Grd 3 (1) gd in Oct.
Talk The Lingo (IRE) 8-1 (11-10) Chased leader in 2nd, dropped to 4th from 4 out, soon pushed along, headway again before 3 out, soon challenged and led, asserted from 2 out, stayed on run-in, won at Cork 3m nh nov hdl in Oct beating Shantou Flyer (11-4) by 3/4l, 6 ran.
Thekingofconnemara (IRE) 9-2 (10-10) Tracked leaders, 3rd 4 out, improved to lead and ridden 2 out, mistake at last, stayed on well under pressure run-in, won at Gowran Park 3m hcap hdle Grd C in Oct beating Abolitionist (9-12) by 1l, 10 ran.
Marchese Marconi (IRE) 4-11fav (11-12) Chased leader, 2nd halfway, progress to challenge and led when mistake 2 out, soon asserted and in command run-in, easily, won at Galway 2m mdn hdl in Aug beating Marty's Magic (11-12) by 14l, 12 ran.
Martello Tower (IRE) 4-6fav (11-12) Raced in 2nd, led 3 out, soon pressed, stayed on well run-in, won at Killarney 2m 4f mdn hdl in May beating Badgerfort (11-12) by 4l, 12 ran.
Ask Vic (IRE) 5-2fav (10-6) Soon chased leaders, took keen hold, 5th on inner approaching straight, not fluent 2 out, soon switched right to outer, challenged last, eased ahead run-in, won at Listowel 2m 4f hcp hdl gd in Sep beating Curragh Golan (9-12) by 1 1/2l, 11 ran.
Elsie (IRE) 14-1 (10-8) Raced in 3rd, dropped to last at 5th, not fluent next and reminder, pushed along briefly after 7 out, under pressure from 5 out, no danger and behind from 3 out, last of 4, 47l behind Alelchi Inois (11-8) at Punchestown 2m 2f nov chs (1) gf in Oct.
Grand Partner (IRE) 7-2fav (11-1) Mid-division, progress on outer 4 out, ridden in 4th entering straight, soon no impression, 8th of 10, well behind Thekingofconnemara (10-10) at Gowran Park 3m hcap hdle Grd C in Oct.
