prominent, keen hold early, not jump well, challenged and on terms from before 2 out where mistake, headed when not fluent last, no extra and kept on same pace run-in
always prominent, 3rd 3 out, challenged and on terms from before next, led and stayed on well from last
tracked leaders, 3rd 4 out, no impression under pressure and kept on same pace from before 2 out
mid-division, chased leaders and niggled along before straight, soon no impression
soon mid-division, 7th early, no impression straight
waited with, 8th approaching straight, no impression under pressure and kept on same pace from before 2 out
towards rear, hampered 2nd, awkward 3rd, never a factor
towards rear, awkward 2nd, hampered 3rd, never a factor, completely tailed off
prominent, 3rd before straight, no extra from before 2 out
soon led and clear, reduced lead 4th, jumped badly left 4 out, headed and dropped to 3rd from before 2 out, soon no extra, kept on same pace
mid-division best, no extra approaching straight, pulled up before 2 out
Gordon Elliott has a couple of likely-looking newcomers here in Canna, formerly trained by Barry Hills, and Musawama, twice a winner for John Gosden. The latter in particular could prove a really nice type for hurdling. Burrenbridge Lodge has twice defied last-flight errors to battle to victory and won't go down without a fight. He holds Sam Bass on their run at Gowran last time but he in turn is held by THEGONDOLIER, who gets the vote. Patrick Prendergast's charge created a shock when easily accounting for Solaras Exhibition at Thurles when Why But Why, who had earlier run Burrenbridge Lodge close, was back in fourth. Whatever It Takes narrowly defeated Solaras Exhibition at Clonmel while The Quiet Hawk was well behind One Cool Shabra at Listowel in September.
Burrenbridge Lodge (IRE) 11-2 (11-0) Always prominent, ridden in 2nd approaching last where not as fluent as leader, challenged strongly run-in, got up on line, won at Gowran Park 2m 3yo hdl sft in Oct beating One Cool Shabra (10-7) by hd, 16 ran.
Sam Bass (IRE) 5-2 (11-0) Towards rear, closer in 8th after 4 out, ridden in 5th and no impression approaching last, kept on same pace, 4th of 16, 9l behind Burrenbridge Lodge (11-0) at Gowran Park 2m 3yo hdl sft in Oct.
Thegondolier (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) Prominent, led after 4th, clear 2 out, stayed on well, comfortably, won at Thurles 2m 3yo mdn hdl gd in Oct beating Solaras Exhibition (10-12) by 8l, 18 ran.
Whatever It Takes (IRE) 5-2 (10-12) Chased leaders, well off pace, closed from 3 out, on terms into straight, just headed last, stayed on best run-in to lead near finish, won at Clonmel 2m 3yo mdn hdl gd in Sep beating Solaras Exhibition (10-5) by 1/2l, 14 ran.
Bad Cigar (IRE) 25-1 (10-5) Always prominent, tracked leaders on inner in 3rd halfway, pushed along and no impression from early straight, kept on one pace, 3rd of 18, 10l behind Face Value (10-12) at Punchestown 2m 3yo mdn hdl in Oct.
Canna (IRE) 10-3 (9-0) Dwelt, held up behind, ridden and headway over 3f out, kept on well final furlong, went 2nd close home, 2nd of 10, 3 1/2l behind Star In Flight (9-12) at Warwick 1m 3f mdn stks (5) gd in Jul (flat).
Final Return (IRE) Catcher In The Rye gelding out of Jalopy.
Musawama (IRE) 7-2 (9-5) Tracked leader, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 7, 15l behind Eternal Heart (9-7) at Sandown 1m 6f 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) gd in May (flat).
The Quiet Hawk (IRE) 10-3 (10-10) Soon in chasing group, well off pace, moderate 6th 4 out, no impression from after next, kept on same pace in poor 2nd from after last, 2nd of 18, 29l behind One Cool Shabra (10-5) at Listowel 2m 3yo hdl sft in Sep.
Black Belt (IRE) 25-1 (9-12) Mid-division, no danger and kept on from before straight, 7th of 18, 16l behind Thegondolier (10-12) at Thurles 2m 3yo mdn hdl gd in Oct.
Choc U Zel Nell (IRE) 50-1 (10-2) Towards rear, ran out before 5 out, in a race won by Thegondolier (10-12) at Thurles 2m 3yo mdn hdl gd in Oct, 18 ran.
