tracked leaders on outer, ran around approaching 1st, mistake 7th, ridden in 5th before 3 out, no impression
disputed lead early, headed at 3rd, 2nd at halfway, disputed lead again 4 out, led travelling well 3 out, pushed along and pressed 2 out, stayed on well under hands and heels run-in, comfortably
tracked leaders in 3rd, led from 3rd, joined 4 out, ridden and headed next, weakened
held up in touch in rear, mistakes 3rd and 4th, no impression from 4 out, never a factor
tracked leaders, slight mistake 3rd, 4th 4 out, ridden and headway into 2nd and pressed winner when jumped left 2 out, kept on same pace in 2nd run-in
disputed lead early, took keen hold, slight mistake 2nd headed 3rd, 3rd at 5th, ridden in 2nd 3 out, dropped to 4th next, weakened
held up in touch in rear, 6th 4 out, ridden in 5th after next, went moderate 3rd 2 out, no impression on leaders
Gordon Elliott has won five of the last six of these and the unbeaten HOLLOW GAMES looks a cracking recruit to hurdling. Bought for £255,000 after landing a point at Turtulla, he's been very impressive in both bumper starts and his pedigree is all about jumping. He'll be at short odds here but should make a successful hurdling debut before going on to better things Simply Shabra has improved with racing and appeared to enjoy testing conditions at Ballinrobe though finished a long way behind runner-up Eat The Book, who looks the main threat.
Golden Cosmos (IRE) 40-1 (11-6) Always towards rear, 16th of 18, dist behind Perfect Attitude (11-6) at Clonmel 2m 1f mdn Good - Yielding in Sep.
Hollow Games (IRE) 1-2fav (11-13) Tracked leader, 3rd to clear leaders halfway, took closer order under 4f out, closed in 2nd 2f out, pushed along to lead over 1f out, kept on final furlong, won at Leopardstown 2m Yielding in Dec beating Eurotiep (12-2) by 1 3/4l, 8 ran.
Simply Shabra (IRE) 3-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders, 6th halfway, headway into 3rd before 2 out, soon pushed along and went 2nd at last, ridden and no impression on winner run-in, kept on one pace, 2nd of 15, 3l behind Coastal World (11-6) at Ballinrobe 2m 6f mdn Soft - Heavy in May.
Woodstream Lad (IRE) 22-1 (11-9) Chased leader, dropped to 7th halfway, under pressure and reminders over 5f out, weakened over 4f out, 7th of 12, dist behind The Big Doyen (11-9) at Roscommon 1m 7f gd in Sep.
Ailie Rose (IRE) 10-3 (10-12) Held up towards rear, not fluent 5th, headway next, weakened after 3 out, 5th of 8, dist behind Clearly Crazy (10-12) at Perth 2m 4f (4) gs in Sep.
Menindee (IRE) (11-6) Alw in rr, wknd & pu bef 5out, at Lisronagh 3m mdn in Nov.
Coqueta (IRE) 14-1 (9-3) In touch, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace, 5th of 6, 8 1/2l behind Ace Rothstein (9-6) at Yarmouth 1m 3f hcp (5) gd in Aug.
Eat The Book (IRE) 10-3 (11-12) Tracked leaders, led briefly 3rd and led from next, mistake 5 out and soon headed, 3rd 3 out, ridden and no impression on winner from 2 out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 9, 16l behind Malina Girl (10-13) at Bellewstown 2m 4f mdn gd in Aug.
Reflectionist (FR) 11-1 (9-11) Always towards rear, never a factor, pushed along 3f out and 9th 2f out, kept on one pace in straight, 8th of 11, 23 1/4l behind Divine Celt (9-3) at Sligo 1m 2f hcp Yielding - Soft in Jun.
