chased leaders, closed after 4 out, led next, ridden clear and stayed on well from 2 out
prominent, lost place and pushed along after 4 out, soon no impression and kept on same pace
chased leaders, no impression under pressure in 3rd and kept on same pace from 2 out
chased leaders, 5th before straight, soon no impression under pressure, kept on same pace
chased leaders, closed after 4 out, 2nd before straight, no impression under pressure and kept on same pace from between last 2
attempted to make all, pushed along before straight, headed 3 out, dropped to 4th and no impression next, kept on
towards rear, dropped behind from before 4 out
towards rear, dropped behind when mistake 4 out
Despite her comprehensive defeat in a Grade 3 at Punchestown in April, GOLDEN SUNBIRD is comfortably the pick on form. Paul Nolan's mare may just have found that 2m4f trip on very heavy ground beyond her and she had been narrowly beaten on her three previous starts. Our Victoria is a thorough stayer as befits a dual point-to-point winner. She landed a 2m4f maiden hurdle in good style at Clonmel in October and will find any flaws in the selection's fitness. Knockfierna is on the upgrade but she's another who has done better over further while Quiet Thought benefited from the departure of four rivals at the second last when successful at Thurles.
Knockfierna (IRE) 11-4fav (10-13) Tracked leaders, improved to be on terms from 4 out, led before straight, pressed before 2 out, ridden clear from before last and stayed on well, won at Limerick 2m 3f mdn hdl sft in Nov beating Maggie Connolly (11-7) by 3l, 14 ran.
Our Victoria (IRE) 2-1fav (11-2) Raced in 2nd, on terms approaching straight, soon led, strongly pressed between last 2, joined last, soon no extra in 2nd, kept on same pace, 2nd of 6, 1 1/2l behind Start Me Up (11-6) at Clonmel 2m 4f nov hdl in Nov.
Quiet Thought (IRE) 11-8fav (10-8) Mid-division, slow jump 1st, closer order from 3rd, soon tracked leaders, 2nd 3 out, left in lead next, stayed on well to draw clear run-in, comfortably at the finish, won at Thurles 2m mares mdn hdl sft in Nov beating Academy Rose (10-13) by 6l, 18 ran.
Cnoc Seoda (IRE) 25-1 (11-2) Always prominent, 3rd halfway, headway to challenge early straight, disputed briefly under 2f out, headed under pressure over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 2nd of 16, 6l behind Catcherinscratcher (11-2) at Navan 2m mrs N H flat lst (1) sft in Nov.
Golden Sunbird (IRE) 7-1 (10-11) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, ridden into 4th 2 out, soon no extra and kept on one pace, 6th of 14, 39l behind For Bill (11-0) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f mrs nov hdl G3 (1) hvy in Apr.
Mayo Mystique (IRE) 33-1 (10-6) Led, slightly slow jump 4th, slight mistake 4 out, joined 3 out, soon led again, headed and no extra straight, 5th of 14, 14l behind Pineau De Re (11-12) at Limerick 2m mdn hdl sft in Nov.
Three Monkeys (IRE) 20-1 (10-13) Chased clear leader, 5th halfway, moderate 7th after 4 out, no extra and weakened from next, 14th of 18, well behind Magen's Star (11-7) at Thurles 2m mares mdn hdl sft in Nov.
Tingamajig (IRE) 7-1 (11-7) Bhd, last to 5th, 10th 1/2 way, last when mstks 9th & 5out, mod 6th next till pu 2out, in a race won by Buck Magic (11-7) at Kilmallock 3m ire ptp gd in Apr, 11 ran.
