close up and disputed lead, lost place from 10th, soon weakened, pulled up before 3 out
towards rear for most, never a factor
held up, 13th from 7th, no danger approaching 3 out, pulled up before 2 out
led and disputed, headed before 4 out, on terms again 2 out, soon led and went clear, kept on run-in, headed at line
mid-division early, 10th from 7th, no extra from before 3 out, pulled up before last
soon chased leaders, slightly slow 3rd, 6th from 7th, pushed along briefly 8th, reminders 10th, one pace approaching straight
mid-division early, 12th from 7th, no extra from before 3 out, pulled up before last
mid-division early, 7th from 7th, no extra and pulled up approaching 3 out
held up, 11th from 7th, some headway but no impression from before straight, one pace
towards rear, no impression when mistake 3 out, pulled up before 2 out
soon prominent, 4th from 7th, almost on terms before 4 out where mistake, dropped to 4th approaching straight, mistake 2 out and no extra
soon chased leaders, 5th from 7th, moderate 3rd approaching straight, ridden and headway when slight mistake last, stayed on well run-in to lead at line
mid-division early, 8th from 7th, closed up next to be prominent, led before 4 out, joined 2 out, soon headed and no extra, eased run-in
mid-division early, 9th from 7th, no impression approaching straight
tracked leaders, 3rd from 7th, lost place from before 4 out, soon weakened, tailed off
soon towards rear, 14th from 7th, some headway but no impression when slight mistake 2 out, no extra
MOONLONE LANE won over slightly shorter on heavy ground here two years ago and landed a handicap at Down Royal when last seen in December. He's not badly treated and conditions are in his favour and though the long absence is a concern he can make a successful reappearance. Dinnie's Vinnie and Ard Cregg had a real battle at Downpatrick last month with the former just coming out on top. The runner-up may have been a bit unlucky but didn't do much for the form at Galway later and has a strike-rate of 1-36. Witness Of Fashion is at the veteran stage but it didn't prevent him beating the prolific Poormans Hill over 2m5f here last week. He's up 6lb but a similar run would see him in the frame. The Bay Birch was only narrowly beaten into third so should have a chance of reversing the form on these terms.
Hes Our Vinnie (IRE) 20-1 (11-12) Soon tracked leader in 2nd, not fluent in 4th at 6th, mistake and fell at 9th, at Galway 2m 7f hcp hvy in Oct.
Instant Smile (IRE) 20-1 (11-12) Towards rear, 6th after 4th, detached and ridden after 3 out, weakened, 6th of 7, 36 3/4l behind Double Scores (11-12) at Limerick 2m 2f hvy in Mar.
Moonlone Lane (IRE) 8-1 (11-1) Chased leaders, led 8th, ridden and pressed before last, kept on well run-in, won at Down Royal 2m 4f hcp sft in Dec beating Paper Lantern (10-11) by 1l, 16 ran.
Dinnie's Vinnie (IRE) 9-4fav (11-7) Led and disputed, not fluent 3rd, headed after 6th, ridden in 2nd after 2 out, slightly impeded last, kept on best run-in to lead close home, won at Downpatrick 2m 7f hcp Yielding in Oct beating Ard Cregg (10-9) by 1/2l, 12 ran.
Old Time Melody (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, jumped left, close 3rd and jumped left 3 out, soon ridden and weakened quickly, 10th of 11, dist behind Witness Of Fashion (10-3) at Fairyhouse 2m 5f hcp sft in Nov.
Witness Of Fashion (IRE) 20-1 (10-3) Tracked leaders, moderate 3rd 4 out, improved to dispute lead 3 out, led 2 out, soon ridden, joined approaching last, stayed on well under pressure run-in to regain narrow lead close home, won at Fairyhouse 2m 5f hcp sft in Nov beating Poormans Hill (12-1) by nk, 11 ran.
Buzzkillbob (IRE) 33-1 (10-13) Mid-division, 10th after 7th, improved to 6th before 4 out, 5th 2 out, kept on same pace after last to 2nd close home, no chance with easy winner, 2nd of 17, 22l behind Tomcoole Lad (9-13) at Galway 2m 7f hcp hvy in Oct.
Jonathan Wild (IRE) 20-1 (10-10) Soon tracked leaders, 3rd after 2nd, 2nd after 8th, slight mistake 3 out, no extra and not fluent 2 out, 5th of 9, 33 1/4l behind Presenting Julio (11-2) at Killarney 2m 5f hcp gd in Aug.
The Bay Birch (IRE) 8-1 (10-4) Mid-division, closer in 5th 4 out, ridden in 4th 2 out, 3rd before last, not fluent at last, kept on under pressure run-in, 3rd of 11, 3/4l behind Witness Of Fashion (10-3) at Fairyhouse 2m 5f hcp sft in Nov.
Chase The Clouds (IRE) 66-1 (11-12) Held up, 8th after 2nd, no impression from before 3 out, 8th of 11, dist behind Bamako Moriviere (11-12) at Fairyhouse 2m Good - Yielding in Oct.
Diggin Deep (IRE) 33-1 (10-13) Soon chased leaders, 6th at 3rd, closer in 3rd at 9th, dropped to 7th approaching straight, one pace, 5th of 14, 18 1/4l behind No Pressure Pat (11-7) at Wexford 3m hcp hvy in Oct.
Erkindale Lady (IRE) 50-1 (11-7) Mid-division best, ridden and no extra before 3 out, 9th of 15, 36 1/4l behind La Bella Vida (11-7) at Thurles 2m 2f Yielding in Oct.
Tomcoole Lad (IRE) 5-1 (10-1) Disputing lead when unseated rider at 1st, at Fairyhouse 2m 5f hcp sft in Nov.
Ard Cregg (IRE) 8-1 (10-6) Rear of mid-division, progress to 8th after 7th, improved to 4th at 10th, 3rd 2 out, no impression after last, kept on one pace, 4th of 17, 27 1/4l behind Tomcoole Lad (9-13) at Galway 2m 7f hcp hvy in Oct.
Night Sir (IRE) 33-1 (9-10) Mid-division, closer in 4th 4 out, ridden and no impression from next, 6th of 11, 20 1/4l behind Witness Of Fashion (10-3) at Fairyhouse 2m 5f hcp sft in Nov.
Town Pond (IRE) 16-1 (10-5) Towards rear and slow 1st, soon behind, pulled up before 4th, at Tramore 2m 6f hcp gf in Jun.
Flynsini (IRE) 8-1 (11-11) Chased leaders, 6th after 5th, badly hampered and lost place after 9th, 7th 2 out, no extra after last, 6th of 17, dist behind Tomcoole Lad (9-13) at Galway 2m 7f hcp hvy in Oct.
Surrogate Lad (IRE) 33-1 (11-3) Always last, slight mistake 1st, weakened from 8th, soon tailed off, last of 6, dist behind Bright Tomorrow (11-3) at Down Royal 2m 4f Yielding in Mar.
Shanklys Dawn (IRE) 8-1 (10-3) Towards rear and pushed along in rear from 4 out, no impression from 3 out and kept on past beaten horses from before last, 9th of 12, 28l behind Dinnie's Vinnie (11-7) at Downpatrick 2m 7f hcp Yielding in Oct.
