chased leaders, 2nd halfway, ridden in 2nd 2f out, no impression over 1f out
held up behind leaders, 5th halfway, progress into 3rd travelling well 2f out, ridden to lead briefly 1 1/2f out, headed 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden 3f out, soon weakened quickly
held up behind leaders, 6th halfway, progress into 4th on outer 2f out, soon ridden, headway to lead 1f out, stayed on well
led, ridden 2f out, headed 1 1/2f out, no impression final furlong
slowly away and raced last, ridden and progress into 5th 2f out, kept on without threatening to go 3rd inside final furlong
Wither Hills has been chasing and fell at the first at Tramore on New Year's Day. He generally goes well around here and Joseph O'Brien has been on board for both victories on the track. Hurricane Ridge has also been jumping and he was in excellent form last summer winning twice over fences and over this trip at the Curragh to complete a hat-trick. He hasn't been seen since October so may just need the outing. Hallbeck won a moderate Brighton handicap for Henry Candy though has an even longer absence to overcome but Saga Diamond looked certain to be suited by this longer trip when runner-up to Headlong a fortnight ago, form that could be boosted by Holy Water in the previous race. She's a few pounds out of the handicap as is COLLA PIER but the latter ran so well behind the progressive Sar Oiche a fortnight ago that she can go one better. Poitin and Eye Of The Tiger weren't far behind in that event and the former in particular can be given a chance to turn the tables.
Wither Hills (IRE) 8-1 (8-12) Tracked leader, 2nd halfway, ridden and dropped to 4th 1f out, no extra, 6th of 11, 8l behind Hardstone (8-4) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp pol in Nov.
Eye Of The Tiger (GER) 5-2fav (9-11) Led, headed 1 1/2f out, 3rd 1f out and no extra inside final furlong, 5th of 10, 3l behind Sar Oiche (8-13) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcap pol.
Hurricane Ridge (IRE) 5-1 (10-12) Soon led and disputed, led after 4f, strongly pressed final furlong and kept on well,, won at Curragh 1m 4f gf in Sep beating Focas Mor (10-5) by 1/2l, 14 ran.
Poitin 25-1 (9-8) Mid-division, 6th halfway, ridden in 5th over 1f out, kept on one pace inside final furlong, 4th of 10, 2 3/4l behind Sar Oiche (8-13) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcap pol.
Hallbeck 6-1fav (9-4) Slowly into stride, always behind, 10th of 16, 16l behind Light Of Asia (9-4) at Haydock 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Sep.
Colla Pier (IRE) 10-1 (8-11) Slowly away, 9th halfway, progress straight and ridden in 4th 1f out, kept on under pressure inside final furlong, not reach winner, 2nd of 10, 1/2l behind Sar Oiche (8-13) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcap pol.
Saga Diamond (IRE) 10-3 (9-0) Ran 5th, progress into 2nd 2f out and soon ridden, under pressure and kept on well inside final furlong, just failed, 2nd of 10, hd behind Headlong (9-0) at Dundalk 1m 3f mdn stks pol.
