tracked leaders, 5th halfway, pushed along briefly into 3rd entering straight, travelled well to challenge 2f out, soon narrow lead, ridden 1f out, kept on well final furlong, cosily close home
chased leaders, 4th halfway, headway into 2nd and challenged entering straight, ridden 2f out, under pressure in 2nd 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
led and clear, reduced advantage after 6f, ridden and headed 4f out, weakened and tailed off
mid-division, 7th halfway, ridden and no impression 3f out
settled mid-division, 6th halfway, ridden into 4th and no impression entering straight, kept on one pace
chased leader, 3rd halfway, ridden and no extra entering straight
chased leaders, improved to 2nd halfway, led 4f out, ridden and challenged entering straight, headed under 2f out, no extra over 1f out, kept on same pace
always towards rear, completely tailed off and virtually pulled up straight
OWEN MC attracted good support on his racecourse debut here last month and his followers never had a moment's concern. Nina Carberry had him swinging off the bridle throughout and it will take a very good effort to lower his colours here. Dantes Firth has the pedigree of a staying chaser so he's done really well to get off the mark in a Thurles bumper and should be a force when tackling obstacles, a remark that also applies to Gabriel Brandy who ran well behind the very promising Ned Buntline at Naas. Milan Bound was the only one to make a race of it with that winner and looks the main threat here.
Owen Mc (IRE) 2-1fav (11-11) Held up in 5th/6th, headway travelling well to lead 1 1/2f out, soon went quickly clear, stayed on strongly, impressive, won at Fairyhouse 2m N H flat sft in Nov beating Quickpick Vic (12-0) by 11l, 6 ran.
Dantes Firth (IRE) 5-2 (11-0) Soon led, headed after 6f, remained close up, led again under pressure approaching final furlong, soon strongly pressed, drifted left, stayed on well, won at Thurles 2m mrs nh flat in Mar beating Carrigeen Kariega (11-0) by 3/4l, 13 ran.
Dunfelemy Paddy (IRE) 12-1 (11-4) Pr & ld, wknd to rr 6out, sn pu, in a race won by Mill Bay (12-0) at Kirkistown 3m ire ptp sft in Nov, 9 ran.
Forest Way (IRE) Stowaway gelding out of Forest Princess.
Gabriel Brandy (IRE) 10-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, headway to dispute briefly early straight, ridden and no impression in 3rd 1f out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 11, 14l behind Ned Buntline (11-7) at Naas 2m 4yo nhf in Nov.
King Shabra (IRE) 50-1 (11-6) Disputed lead early, soon raced in 2nd, 3rd from 5f out, no extra into straight, kept on same pace, 3rd of 9, 43l behind Defy Logic (11-11) at Fairyhouse 2m 2f N H flat sft in Nov.
Milan Bound (IRE) 8-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders on inner, 5th halfway, headway to dispute early straight and led over 2f out, strongly pressed and headed early final furlong, no chance with easy winner and kept on same pace, 2nd of 11, 6l behind Ned Buntline (11-7) at Naas 2m 4yo nhf in Nov.
Natural Ability (IRE) 25-1 (11-2) Always behind, tailed off, 18th of 21, well behind Tornado Bob (11-11) at Cork 2m N H flat gf in May '10.
Sambanita (IRE) Spartacus mare out of Sasset.
