soon disputed lead, headed before 5th, back on terms approaching 3 out where slightly slow, soon ridden in 3rd, no extra from 2 out
soon tracked leaders, 5th from 2nd, led before 5th, joined approaching 3 out, headed after 2 out, no extra from before last
close up, pecked slightly 1st, disputed 4th when mistake 3 out, soon no extra, bad mistake last, eased, tailed off
soon disputed lead, headed before 5th, back on terms approaching 3 out, led after 2 out, pressed and slight mistake last, headed and kept on without matching winner run-in
tracked leaders, 4th from 2nd, 6th approaching 3 out, pushed along to go 3rd before last where not fluent, one pace run-in and dropped to 4th closing stages
held up, moderate 7th from 2nd, some headway but no impression approaching 3 out, one pace
soon behind in rear, jumped left 3rd and reminder, never a factor
chased leaders, 6th from 2nd, went 3rd before straight, 2nd approaching last, led and stayed on best run-in
held up, hit 1st, pecked 2nd, soon raced in moderate 8th and not fluent jumping, some headway but no impression approaching 3 out, ran on without threatening run-in to go 3rd closing stages
MOTOWN BOB didn't do as well as expected over hurdles but made a very encouraging start over fences at Wexford last October when making Vicangelome, who has won several times subsequently, pull out all the stops. Prickly has won three bumpers, scored twice on the Flat and won over hurdles. She made a bright start over fences behind Ball D'Arc at Wexford last month and will have come on a bundle for the experience. Winning hurdler Lake Takapuna has done well enough in three starts over fences to be given a chance and he jumped much better on testing ground at Listowel last time. Bendanella has made a couple of novice mistakes in both starts over fences and if cutting out the errors could be a force to be reckoned with here.
Archive (FR) 7-1 (11-12) Chased leaders early, held up from after 2nd, 6th halfway, mistake and ridden 3 out, soon no extra and weakened, 5th of 8, dist behind Ball D'arc (11-12) at Wexford 2m gd in Oct.
Bendanella (IRE) 5-1 (11-5) Held up in touch, 5th from 6th, 3rd approaching straight, close up and mistake 3 out, soon no impression, one pace, 3rd of 6, 13 3/4l behind New Kid In Town (11-12) at Cork 2m 4f Yielding in Oct.
Double Scores (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) Mid-division, progress into 5th 4 out, ridden and no extra entering straight, weakened 2 out and slight mistake, pulled up before last, at Fairyhouse 3m hcp Yielding in Mar.
Lake Takapuna (IRE) 5-1 (11-12) Chased leader, 2nd halfway, improved to dispute when left in lead 6 out, ridden and headed entering straight, under pressure in 2nd 2 out, no extra in 4th run-in, kept on one pace, 4th of 10, 6l behind Three Stars (11-12) at Listowel 2m 1f hvy in Sep.
Motown Bob (IRE) 6-1 (11-12) Prominent, close up travelling smoothly 3 out, soon on terms, pushed along from 2 out, headed before last, kept on well under pressure run-in, not get back to winner, 2nd of 11, 1/2l behind Vicangelome (11-12) at Wexford 2m Yielding in Oct.
Ontopoftheworld (IRE) 20-1 (11-12) Held up, 9th approaching 5 out, moderate 7th from next, closed but no impression straight, kept on same pace, 6th of 11, 15 1/4l behind Space Cadet (11-12) at Roscommon 2m hvy in Oct.
Paper Lantern (IRE) 66-1 (11-12) Towards rear, slightly hampered 4th, no impression from 7 out, moderate 6th entering straight, never a factor, 6th of 11, dist behind Alpha Des Obeaux (11-12) at Thurles 2m 6f gd in Oct.
Prickly (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) Held up early, improved to chase leaders after 2nd, 4th halfway, progress into 3rd 4 out, ridden entering straight, under pressure from before 2 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 8, 4 1/2l behind Ball D'arc (11-12) at Wexford 2m gd in Oct.
Rock On Fruity (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) Soon settled behind leaders. 6th halfway, bad mistake 7th and dropped towards rear, slight mistake 4 out, ridden and no impression 3 out, no extra entering straight, 7th of 8, dist behind Tisamystery (11-2) at Clonmel 2m 4f gd in Oct.
