ran 5th, some headway in 4th after 3 out, pushed along to go 3rd after next, kept on one pace into 2nd on run-in, no impression on winner
tracked leader in 2nd, lost place after 3 out and no impression in 5th before next, no extra
mid-division, not fluent 5th, 4th halfway, went 3rd after 3 out, ridden and no extra soon after next, weakened
made all, slight mistake 5th, 4 lengths lead halfway, reduced advantage approaching 2 out, asserted again approaching last, pushed out and kept on well run-in, easily
ran 3rd, pecked badly 1st and not fluent 3rd, mistake 4 out, slight mistake next where went 2nd, closer approaching 2 out, pushed along and no impression on winner when not fluent last, no extra
always rear, never a factor, detached when mistake and unseated rider 3 out
Willie Mullins has two entries here and Paul Townend looks to have made the right choice with GREAT WHITE SHARK (NAP). A dual hurdles winner in the spring, he landed a premier handicap on the Flat at the Festival here then ran a fine race in a Grade B handicap hurdle there a few days later. His stable companion Dont Hesitate, a Grade 3 bumper winner in France, looked a smart prospect when easily landing a Ballinrobe maiden last September and was far from disgraced when tackling Grade 3 company at Down Royal a few weeks later. Awayinthewest, who won this last year, is a decent handicapper but looks to have a stiff task at the weights while Sweet Sting will need to improve from a surprise short-head maiden victory at Tramore.
Awayinthewest (IRE) 12-1 (9-7) Waited with, soon towards rear, pushed along over 3f out and headway, kept on without threatening inside final furlong, 5th of 14, 5 3/4l behind Upgraded (9-0) at Galway 2m hcp gd in Jul.
Jaime Sommers (IRE) 4-1 (11-7) Chased leader, 2nd halfway, ridden in 3rd after 2 out, stayed on to dispute approaching last, headed last, kept on same pace run-in, 4th of 9, 5 1/2l behind Mon Storm (10-11) at Kilbeggan 2m 3f hcp Good - Yielding in Sep.
Dont Hesitate (FR) 11-4 (10-10) Chased leader in 2nd, not fluent 5th, pushed along from 3 out and disputed lead before next, headed before last and soon dropped to 4th, no extra and kept on same pace run-in, 4th of 6, 8l behind Sancta Simona (10-10) at Down Royal 2m (1) gd in Nov.
Western Victory (IRE) 50-1 (11-7) Held up towards rear, no extra 3 out, weakened and tailed off, 13th of 16, dist behind Honeysuckle (11-7) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f (1) Good - Yielding in Apr.
Great White Shark (FR) 3-1fav (10-7) Held up towards rear, a little keen, some slight mistakes, closed from before 9th, soon chased leaders, 4th approaching straight behind horses, kept on without matching front pair run-in, 3rd of 18, 6l behind Great Trango (9-13) at Galway 2m 7f hcp gd in Aug.
Sweet Sting (IRE) 25-1 (11-1) Held up mid-division outer, 11th 4 out, progress travelling well to 3rd before 2 out, ridden to challenge last, kept on under pressure to lead line, won at Tramore 2m 4f mdn Yielding - Soft in Aug beating My First Symphony (11-7) by shd, 14 ran.
