tracked leaders, 3rd on inner entering straight, ridden from 2 out, dropped to 4th before last, kept on one pace run-in
mid-division, slight mistake 6th, no impression from 3 out, never a factor
tracked leaders, 5th halfway, 4th travelling well on outer 2 out, soon ridden, disputed 2nd at last, kept on same pace inside final furlong, dropped to 3rd near line
in rear, moderate 7th 3 out, some modest late progress, never a factor
always behind, mistake 1st and 2nd, no impression from 4 out, never a factor
tracked leaders, closer in 2nd at halfway, ridden in 2nd 2 out, disputed 2nd at last, kept on same pace inside final furlong, went 2nd near line
rear of mid-division, mistakes, no impression from 3 out, never a factor
made all, ridden after 2 out, stayed on well under pressure inside final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden in 4th after 3 out, 5th 2 out, no impression
mid-division, no impression from 3 out, never a factor
mid-division, mistakes 1st and 2nd, pushed along briefly at 4th, no impression from next
Henry De Bromhead has won the last two of these so the newcomer Chef Afef is one to keep an eye on in the market. Melly And Me, beaten just a head over this trip at Kilbeggan in July, weakened quickly when tackling 2m3f on softer going at Downpatrick last time and should do better. Rock Road was having his first start for over a year when beaten here last week but his earlier effort when runner-up over the track and trip puts him right in the picture. BATTS ROCK, three times a winner on the Flat including a double on fast going in the summer, was beaten when odds-on for his hurdling debut and again at Down Royal earlier this month. But he wasn't beaten far in the latter event which looked a much stronger race than this.
Batts Rock (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Mid-division, headway after 3 out and 3rd before next, pushed along approaching last and kept on one pace run-in, 3rd of 15, 1 1/2l behind Brace Yourself (11-12) at Down Royal 2m mdn Good - Yielding in Nov.
Steel Cap (IRE) 20-1 (11-12) Mid-division early, 8th at 3rd, soon no danger, 9th of 17, dist behind Royal Rendezvous (11-12) at Galway 2m mdn Yielding in Oct.
Trump Card (IRE) 16-1 (9-10) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, improved to lead 2f out, ridden 1 1/2f out, kept on well final furlong, won at Navan 1m 6f hcp gd in Oct beating Jake Peter (9-10) by 3/4l, 22 ran.
Chef Afef (IRE) Ask gelding out of Rock Angel.
Kilcolgan Rocket (IRE) Scorpion gelding out of Exit Nine.
Melly And Me (IRE) 9-4 (11-12) Tracked leader, headway to dispute halfway, pushed along and headed approaching last where dropped to 4th, no extra run-in, 4th of 7, 26l behind Paris Texas (11-12) at Downpatrick 2m 3f mdn Good - Yielding in Aug.
Quick Getaway (IRE) 10-1 (11-11) Alw twrds rr, 7th 1/2way, last 4out, wknd 3out & pu bef last, at Farmaclaffley 3m mdn Soft - Heavy in Feb.
Rock Road (IRE) 7-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, 4th 4 out, ridden after next, soon no impression, 5th of 11, 12 1/4l behind Monbeg Worldwide (11-12) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f mdn gd in Nov.
Ballybeggan Peggy (IRE) 66-1 (11-5) Held up, 15th at 3rd, soon no danger and kept on without threatening from before 2 out, 13th of 17, dist behind Royal Rendezvous (11-12) at Galway 2m mdn Yielding in Oct.
Knockatoo Hill (IRE) 100-1 (11-5) Rear of mid-division, dropped to 12th before 5th, under pressure and weakened after 3 out, last of 16, dist behind Storm Rising (11-12) at Limerick 2m mdn gd in Jul.
Piccolo Milano (IRE) Milan M out of Dancing Bird.
