disputed lead early, led from 3rd, ridden entering straight, headed before 2 out, soon weakened
in rear, moderate 9th and pushed along entering straight, no impression, kept on one pace, never a factor
tracked leaders, 4th entering straight, headway to dispute lead 2 out, soon ridden and led, joined at last, disputed lead and stayed on well inside final furlong, headed at line
tracked leaders, 5th entering straight, improved to dispute lead briefly 2 out, soon ridden and headed, dropped to 3rd and no impression on leaders before last, slight mistake at last, no impression
towards rear, closer 10th 3 out, soon ridden and weakened
tracked leaders, 2nd at 5th, ridden in 3rd entering straight, no impression from 2 out
tracked leaders, 3rd 4 out, improved to dispute lead and pushed along before 2 out, narrowly headed and dropped to close 3rd after 2 out, disputed lead again at last, stayed on well under pressure inside final furlong, led at line
rear of mid-division, no impression from 3 out, never a factor
mid-division, slight mistake 2nd, ridden in 6th entering straight, bad mistake 2 out, no impression
mid-division, jinked briefly bypassing hurdle number five, bumped along in moderate 9th entering straight, went moderate 5th at last, reminder inside final furlong, stayed on strongly in 3rd close home, never nearer
disputed lead, headed 3rd, 4th at 5th, weakened from before 3 out
in rear, last 3 out, no impression straight, never a factor
My Manekineko continues to frustrate having not won over hurdles since 2015 though he's run well in recent starts over fences. Important Message is still a maiden after nine starts over timber though did better when placed in testing ground over the track and trip last month. It's almost three years since EMPIRE BURLEQUE won a bumper here and he's disappointed over hurdles but this will be his first run on heavy ground since that victory and that may be enough. His stable companion has given no indication he stays this trip while it's a long time since the fourteen-year-old De Benno won over this trip.
De Benno (IRE) 8-1 (11-7) Led early, headed at 2nd, regained lead after 3 out, soon ridden, headed and slight mistake 2 out, soon no impression, 5th of 11, 15 1/4l behind Bilbo Bagins (11-4) at Navan 2m 1f hcp sft in Mar.
My Manekineko 9-2 (11-9) Held up in rear, headway 9th, chased leaders next, every chance 3 out, kept on well under pressure, 2nd of 5, 2 3/4l behind Charlie Snow Angel (10-0) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp (3) hvy in Nov.
Reine Fee (IRE) 16-1 (11-10) Mid-division, progress into 5th 3 out, ridden and no extra before straight, 12th of 15, dist behind Burlesque Queen (10-10) at Clonmel 2m 3f hcp Soft - Heavy in Nov.
Empire Burleque (IRE) 5-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, close 4th 3 out, ridden and no impression in 5th before last, kept on one pace into 4th close home, 4th of 9, 16l behind Construct (11-6) at Downpatrick 2m 3f mdn gd in Jul.
Cluan Dara (IRE) 20-1 (10-5) Held up towards rear, ridden before straight, stayed on into moderate 6th 2 out, kept on one pace, 5th of 13, 22l behind Scheu Time (11-6) at Cork 2m hcp sft in Dec.
Billy's Angel (IRE) 6-1 (11-11) Tracked leaders, headway to lead 5th, headed approaching 3 out, soon ridden and no extra entering straight, weakened, 11th of 17, 36 1/2l behind Wolfofallstreets (10-8) at Thurles 2m hcp sft in Nov.
Fight For Love (FR) 11-4fav (11-11) Mid-division, ridden after 4 out, no impression when not fluent 2 out, no extra, 13th of 18, 26 1/4l behind Arizengo (10-11) at Thurles 2m hcp Good - Yielding in Oct.
Best Not Argue (IRE) 50-1 (11-6) Rear of mid-division, no impression 3 out, kept on one pace in straight, never a factor, 10th of 17, 34 3/4l behind Wolfofallstreets (10-8) at Thurles 2m hcp sft in Nov.
Important Message 16-1 (11-7) Mid-division, headway 4 out, 3rd next, improved to dispute lead entering straight, ridden and headed 2 out, soon no impression on winner, dropped to 3rd inside final furlong, kept on same pace, 3rd of 16, 5l behind The Chapel Field (10-13) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f hcp Soft - Heavy in Nov.
Fighting Fit 100-1 (11-9) Rear of mid-division outer, no impression from 3 out, never a factor, 12th of 22, dist behind Cavalry Master (11-12) at Punchestown 2m mdn sft in Nov.
Jack Wade (IRE) 16-1 (10-9) Always towards rear, ridden and no impression after 4 out, no extra next, 13th of 14, dist behind Lily Trotter (10-10) at Cork 2m hcp sft in Nov.
My Club Colours (IRE) 66-1 (11-7) Towards rear, not fluent 2nd, pushed along halfway, ridden and no impression from 4 out, tailed off, 8th of 12, dist behind Minella Melody (11-7) at Cork 2m 4f mdn Soft - Heavy in Nov.
