in rear, progress before 2 out, no impression in 6th before last, one paced run-in
rear of mid-division, progress after 3 out, improved to 3rd after 2 out, kept on same pace run-in
in touch, mid-division before 4 out, lost place after 3 out, weakened before 2 out where mistake
in touch, moderate 5th after 4th, lost place before 4 out, weakened before 2 out
rear, headway after 3 out, no impression after 2 out, weakened run-in
mid-division, moderate 8th after 4th, took closer order in 5th after 3 out, improved to 2nd before 2 out, kept on run-in, not trouble winner
always towards rear, no headway, never a factor, pulled up before 2 out
tracked clear leader, moderate 4th at 4th, moderate 5th before 4 out, lost place after 3 out, headway to 5th after 2 out, no impression before last where not fluent, one paced run-in
mid-division, headway after 3 out, 4th after 2 out, no impression last, kept on same pace
tracked clear leader, jumped big at 1st, moderate 2nd at 4th, lost place and ridden after 3 out, weakened before 2 out, virtually pulled up run-in, tailed off
tracked clear leader, moderate 3rd at 4th, took closer order in 2nd after 3 out, led before 2 out, ran on well run-in, comfortably
led and clear before 1st, increased advantage after 2nd, mistake at 3rd,over 20 lengths clear halfway, reduced lead 3 out, headed and weakened before 2 out
in touch, moderate 6th after 4th, progress before 4 out, took closer order in 4th after 3 out, lost place before 2 out, weakened after 2 out
rear of mid-division, effort before 2 out, progress after 2 out, weakened run-in
towards rear, progress after 3 out, no impression 2 out, weakened before last
towards rear, progress 2 out, kept on run-in, never nearer
soon tracked clear leader, moderate 7th after 4th, headway before 3 out, took closer order in 3rd after 3 out, lost place and weakened quickly before 2 out where not fluent
NonRunner
NonRunner
A hugely-competitive renewal for this big prize. Liam McKenna was on board when Tudor City won the second of his Galway Hurdles in July and his claim could prove invaluable again here. Tony Martin also saddles the in-form Niburu, who is still looking on a fair mark despite having had Watch The Weather and Pinkerton just behind in a three-way battle for the line at Down Royal. Any of that trio could be successful here while Willie Mullins relies on Icare Allen, who makes his handicap debut after a close third in a Grade 3 here in April. MERLIN GIANT looked very progressive when landing a Galway maiden and found 2m6f on testing ground stretching his stamina on a return visit. He looks to have as good a chance as any. Explosive Boy was engaged in the 3.02 here yesterday.
Anna Bunina (FR) 10-1 (8-7) Mid-division out wide, ridden and headway 2f out, ran on inside final furlong, no extra final 110yds, 8th of 15, 5 3/4l behind Emiyn (8-7) at Chester 2m 3f hcp (2) gs in Sep.
Icare Allen (FR) 4-11fav (11-3) Prominent and disputed lead, not fluent 4 out and jumped left next, led briefly entering straight, not fluent 2 out, 3rd and ridden approaching last, no impression run-in, 3rd of 7, 4 3/4l behind Iberique Du Seuil (11-0) at Fairyhouse 2m (1) Yielding in Apr.
Tudor City (IRE) 33-1 (11-12) Settled behind leaders early, 3rd halfway, ridden in 4th 3 out, no extra before 2 out, weakened, 5th of 11, 33 1/4l behind Nibiru (10-1) at Down Royal 2m 1f hcp sft in Nov.
An Epic Song (FR) 2-1fav (11-4) Mid-division, progress into 5th after 4 out, slight mistake 3 out, ridden into 4th 2 out, challenged early straight, led before last, kept on strongly to assert run-in, won at Punchestown 2m 3f hcp hvy in Dec beating Bread And Butter (11-1) by 6 1/2l, 15 ran.
Off Your Rocco (IRE) 7-4fav (11-5) Midfield, not fluent 3 out, pushed along 2 out, plugged on one pace from last, 4th of 6, 11 1/4l behind Blazing Khal (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 5f (1) gd in Nov.
Pinkerton (IRE) 10-3fav (11-0) Mid-division early, tracked leaders from 5th, 4th halfway, improved to dispute 3 out, soon led travelling well, ridden 2 out, mistake last, joined last 50 yards, headed close home, 3rd of 11, nk behind Nibiru (10-1) at Down Royal 2m 1f hcp sft in Nov.
In From The Cold (IRE) 15-2 (10-0) Rear of mid-division, dropped to rear and pushed along over 3f out, ridden 2f out, headway into 6th 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 7th of 15, 9 1/2l behind White Caviar (9-10) at Gowran Park 1m 4f hcp sft in Oct.
Lucky Max (GER) 25-1 (10-10) Mid-division, not fluent 3rd, progress from 3 out and pushed along in 4th from next, 3rd from last and slightly short of room run-in, ridden and kept on well without matching principals, 3rd of 18, 3/4l behind Watch House Cross (11-2) at Naas 2m 4f hcp Yielding - Soft in Nov.
Man O Work (IRE) 9-4fav (10-1) Held up, progress into 6th 4f out, ridden and no impression 3f out, kept on one pace, 7th of 12, 19 1/2l behind Sundial (9-8) at Navan 1m 6f mdn hvy in Oct.
Sit Down Lucy (IRE) 5-2 (10-8) Towards rear, 4th halfway, pushed along in 5th before 3 out, 4th 2 out, kept on one pace, 4th of 7, 18 1/2l behind Enniskerry (11-1) at Roscommon 2m (1) gd in Sep.
Merlin Giant (FR) 9-2 (11-9) Tracked leaders, 8th on outer halfway, 6th and pushed along after 2 out, went 4th before last, no impression run-in, kept on one pace, 4th of 16, 8 1/2l behind Ballyadam Destiny (10-5) at Galway 2m 6f hcp Soft - Heavy in Oct.
Flaming Moon (IRE) 7-2 (11-8) Raced keenly, prominent, led after 3rd, clear after next until before 7th, headed approaching 2 out, soon weakened, 8th of 10, 34l behind Mofasa (11-5) at Cheltenham 2m 4f (2) gd in Oct.
Charli Parcs (FR) 7-1 (10-7) Mid-division, progress 3 out, 3rd before 2 out, ridden 2 out, no extra in 4th last, kept on same pace, 4th of 11, 4 1/4l behind Nibiru (10-1) at Down Royal 2m 1f hcp sft in Nov.
Nibiru (IRE) 13-2 (10-1) Held up in rear, progress after 3 out, ridden in 4th before 2 out, stayed on into 3rd last, disputed last 50 yards, just prevailed at line, won at Down Royal 2m 1f hcp sft in Nov beating Watch The Weather (10-0) by shd, 11 ran.
Watch The Weather 8-1 (10-0) Held up, progress 3 out, soon 3rd, 2nd before 2 out, ridden 2 out, slight mistake last, stayed on to dispute last 50 yards, just denied at line, 2nd of 11, shd behind Nibiru (10-1) at Down Royal 2m 1f hcp sft in Nov.
Cotteemcavennigoal (IRE) 14-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders on outer, 8th halfway, 5th and pushed along 2 out, ridden and no impression approaching last, no extra, 9th of 23, 11 1/2l behind Dollys Destination (11-9) at Navan 2m hcp Yielding in Nov.
A Million Bucks (IRE) 10-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, 6th halfway, left 4th 4 out and went 3rd after next, pushed along and no impression after 2 out, kept on one pace run-in, 3rd of 20, 9 1/4l behind Path D'oroux (11-12) at Galway 2m mdn Soft - Heavy in Oct.
Gaelic Arc (IRE) 40-1 (11-4) Held up in rear, hampered 4 out, soon no impression, mistake 2 out, moderate 4th before last, 4th of 6, 32 1/2l behind Midnight Run (11-4) at Punchestown 2m 1f (1) Yielding in Nov.
Explosive Boy (FR) 20-1 (11-7) Held up in mid-division, headway chasing leaders switched left and driven between horses run-in, going on close home, just held, 2nd of 19, hd behind Contrapposto (10-12) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (3) gd in Nov.
