attempted to make all, joined 2 out, soon headed, no impression and kept on without troubling winner run-in
in rear, no impression under pressure from 2 out
raced in 3rd until dropped to 4th and no impression under pressure from 2 out
raced in 4th, some slightly slow jumps, moderate 3rd and kept on same pace under pressure from 2 out
raced in 2nd, bad mistake 3 out, travelling well into straight, challenged and on terms 2 out, soon led, ridden out to assert run-in, comfortably
The main contenders here are better known as chasers. Western Charmer has finished runner-up in three Grade 1 contests and in the Irish National. He returns to hurdling after a break and, though he's very useful, may not have the pace for this nowadays. See U Bob pulled up in the Irish National but returned to action with a fair run over hurdles at Punchestown and will prove difficult to beat but BLAZING TEMPO may have his measure with her allowance. Willie Mullins' mare was involved in an extraordinary Grade 3 over fences at Clonmel last time where three of her rivals came to grief at the last two fences but she had been stopped in her tracks herself and may have won anyway. Mosstown appeared to go backwards after early promise over hurdles and Dooney Rock has plenty to find.
Dooney Rock (IRE) 18-1 (11-9) Tracked leaders, ridden after 3 out, no impression and kept on same pace from befoer next, 7th of 11, 17l behind Fearnwood Girl (10-13) at Sligo 2m hcp hdl 8Evens16 gd in Jul.
Mosstown (IRE) 33-1 (10-7) Mid-division, no threat from 2 out, 17th of 26, 40l behind Final Approach (10-9) at Leopardstown 2m hcp hdl 0-145 sft in Jan.
See U Bob (IRE) 3-1fav (11-2) Held up in rear, good headway on inner to go 3rd approaching 3 out, went 2nd early straight and soon challenged, ridden before last and no impression on winner run-in, 2nd of 7, 2l behind Dariak (11-2) at Punchestown 2m 4f hdl sft in Nov.
Western Charmer (IRE) 14-1 (11-10) Disputed lead early, headed 4th, 2nd from 11th, ridden in 4th entering straight, 3rd before last, went 2nd from last, 2nd of 8, 14l behind Quito De La Roque (11-10) at Punchestown 3m 1f nov chs G1 (1) gd in May.
Blazing Tempo (IRE) 2-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders in 4th, slight mistake 4 out, pushed along after next, headway into 2nd before 2 out where badly hampered, dropped to 3rd, left in lead after last and kept on well run-in, won at Clonmel 2m 4f mares chs Grd 3 (1) sft in Nov beating Gentle Alice (11-0) by 3 1/2l, 6 ran.
