tracked leader in 2nd, good headway to lead after 3 out, asserted before last and kept on well, comfortably
led, strongly pressed and headed after 3 out, no impression on winner when slight mistake last, kept on one pace
chased leaders, never a factor, kept on one pace in straight
tracked leaders on inner when badly hampered and carried out at 1st
chased leaders, moderate 6th halfway, no impression in 5th 3 out, kept on one pace
always behind, tailed off
tracked leaders in 3rd, ridden and no extra when mistake 2 out, soon weakened
chased leaders, pushed along in 4th halfway, no impression early straight, kept on one pace
chased leaders, moderate 5th halfway, no extra before 3 out
prominent when dived right and ran out through rail after jumping 1st
Winning point-to-pointer BALLYSTEEN was well beaten in his first two bumper starts but it was a different matter when he came here last month where he gained an impressive success. He can make a winning start over timber though Hang On Groovy produced a very good run behind Mount Benbulben at Thurles and further improvement will see her involved. The Big Mosquito is hardly consistent but a fine run behind White Star Line at Naas in January points to his chances while winning point-to-pointer Captain Ocana has some decent form over timber including his run behind Tell Dawstown at Limerick last Monday.
Ballysteen (IRE) 6-1 (12-0) Waited with, closed to chase leaders from 5f out, went 2nd travelling well over 2f out, soon ridden to challenge, led approaching final furlong, stayed on well to soon draw clear, won at Cork 2m N H flat in Oct beating Shuruwaat (11-0) by 6l, 9 ran.
Captain Ocana (IRE) 9-1 (11-4) Led and attempted to make all, strongly pressed entering straight, headed after 2 out and dropped to 3rd, kept on same pace, 3rd of 14, 2l behind Tell Dawstown (11-4) at Limerick 2m mdn hdl gd.
Cooldine Run (IRE) 14-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, 5th halfway, ridden approaching straight, 5th 2f out, soon no impression, no extra final furlong, 6th of 11, 24l behind Its The Ice I Like (11-7) at Clonmel 2m N H flat sft.
Local Celebrity (IRE) 11-8fav (12-0) Led, joined briefly under 3f out, ridden clear from over 1f out, stayed on well, won at Clonmel 2m N H flat sft in Oct beating Jack The Pirate (11-9) by 3 1/2l, 10 ran.
Offaly Allstar 12-1 (10-4) Chased leaders, well off pace, poor 5th after 4 out, soon no impression and kept on same pace, 10th of 13, 34l behind Catch The Moment (10-12) at Cork 2m hcp hdl 80-116 in Oct.
Silver Bluff (IRE) 7-1 (12-0) Alw in rr, 13th 5out, bhnd from 3out, 11th of 18, 32l behind Fence Me In (12-0) at Athlacca 3m ire ptp gd in May.
The Big Mosquito (IRE) 25-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, 8th halfway, no extra approaching straight, tailed off, 15th of 23, well behind Bog Warrior (11-12) at Cork 2m 4f mdn hdl in Mar.
Hang On Groovy (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Mid-division, progress into moderate 4th 5 out, no impression on leaders and kept on one paced from 3 out, 4th of 17, 10l behind Mount Benbulben (11-12) at Thurles 2m 2f Maiden Hurdle (5-6yo) sft.
Last Hassle (IRE) 25-1 (11-2) Soon led and clear at stages, headed and weakened quickly from 4f out, tailed off, 11th of 15, well behind Brough Academy (12-0) at Kilbeggan 2m 3f N H flat in Aug.
Top Flower (IRE) 14-1 (11-9) Mid-division early, 6th halfway, headway into 4th 5f out, ridden in 5th and no impression entering straight, kept on one pace, 5th of 14, 5l behind Springfield Way (12-0) at Naas 2m 3f N H flat gf in Aug.
