mid-division, mistake 3rd, no impression from 4 out, never a factor
tracked leaders, went 2nd 3 out, ridden before next, 3rd before last and no impression on leaders, kept on one pace
mid-division, moderate 5th at halfway, no impression from 4 out, left remote 4th before last, no impression
towards rear, mistakes 1st, 3rd and 4th, remote 6th 3 out, no impression
mid-division, bad mistake 5th, no impression from 4 out, never a factor
tracked leader disputing 2nd, not fluent at 3rd and mistake 5th, 3rd at halfway, 2nd and mistake 4 out, pushed along in 3rd before 2 out, ridden in 2nd before last, kept on same pace in 2nd inside final furlong
always behind, never a factor
always behind, never a factor
made all, went clear after 2 out, stayed on strongly run-in, eased inside final furlong, easily
tracked leaders, slight mistake 3rd, mistake 8th, ridden in 4th after 3 out, moderate 4th and no impression when bad mistake and rider lost irons and reins 2 out, pulled up before last
Winning bumper Thedevilscoachman scored three times over hurdles including in Listed company. He made an excellent start over fences behind Ferny Hollow at Punchestown and looks a fine chasing prospect for Noel Meade. The winner's yard is represented by winning bumper and hurdler El Barra, who chased home his very smart stablemate Blue Lord on his debut over fences here. There's more to come from him though it's the stable's SAINT SAM who is likely to attract the most attention here. Twice a winner over hurdles in France, he didn't win in his first campaign for the champion trainer but ran at a very high level including when runner-up in the Grade 1 Spring Juvenile Hurdle at Leopardstown. Feelgood Island may prove best of the remainder.
Call The Tune (IRE) 10-1 (11-5) Mid-division, 5th after 5th, moderate 5th 4 out, no impression before last, one paced, 6th of 10, 24l behind Global Equity (11-5) at Galway 2m 2f sft in Oct.
El Barra (FR) 8-1 (12-0) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, 2nd and slight mistake 3 out, ridden 2 out, no impression on winner before last, kept on same pace, 2nd of 14, 5 1/2l behind Blue Lord (12-0) at Fairyhouse 2m Yielding - Soft in Dec.
Feelgood Island (FR) 12-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, bumped at 1st, 5th after 6th, 4th before 3 out, improved to 3rd before 2 out, soon ridden, switched left run-in, kept on, held, 3rd of 11, 1 1/4l behind King Alex (11-5) at Limerick 2m 2f hvy in Dec.
Magic Sea (IRE) 14-1 (12-0) Settled behind leaders, slight mistake 3rd, 6th halfway, ridden and lost place entering straight, stayed on into 5th after 3 out, under pressure 2 out, stayed on into 3rd last, kept on well run-in, every chance closing stages, just held, 2nd of 15, hd behind Ben Thomson (11-8) at Down Royal 2m 1f hcp sft in Dec.
The Last Throw (IRE) 25-1 (11-9) Waited with, 11th halfway, pushed along from 3 out, slight mistake 2 out, went moderate 7th approaching straight, soon no extra, 8th of 18, dist behind Baptism Of Fire (12-0) at Punchestown 2m 4f mdn Yielding in Oct.
Thedevilscoachman (IRE) 5-1 (12-0) Chased leaders, slight mistake 6th, 5th halfway, lost place 4 out, ridden into 6th entering straight, stayed on into 3rd last, kept on run-in, 3rd of 15, 6 1/4l behind Ferny Hollow (12-0) at Punchestown 2m 1f Yielding - Soft in Dec.
Westy Fox (IRE) 10-3fav (12-0) Towards rear, some headway after 3 out, 5th and not fluent 2 out, no extra approaching last, 6th of 9, 21l behind Hilltop Supreme (11-13) at Clonmel 2m 3f hcp Soft - Heavy in Mar.
Mica Malpic (FR) 200-1 (11-8) Always towards rear, never a factor, 9th of 14, dist behind Blue Lord (12-0) at Fairyhouse 2m Yielding - Soft in Dec.
Saint Sam (FR) 11-1 (11-2) Soon led, slight mistake 5th and joined, headed 3 out and slight mistake, no impression and impeded approaching straight, one pace, 5th of 9, 7 1/4l behind Jeff Kidder (11-2) at Punchestown 2m (1) Good - Yielding in May.
Zoffanien (IRE) 125-1 (11-8) Held up in rear, not fluent 4th, pushed along halfway, went moderate 5th at 7th, soon ridden and no extra, never a factor, 5th of 6, dist behind Ferny Hollow (12-0) at Leopardstown 2m 1f (1) sft in Dec.
