towards rear, ridden before 3 out and no impression
mistake 1st, chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden and weakened 4 out, tailed off
chased leader, led before 3rd, ridden and challenged approaching last, headed last, no extra run-in, lost 2nd close home
mid-division, 8th halfway, ridden into 6th 2 out, no impression entering straight, kept on one pace
held up towards rear early, 7th halfway, headway into 5th 3 out, ridden in 4th 2 out, no extra entering straight, kept on same pace
chased leaders, 6th halfway, ridden and no extra before 2 out
chased leaders early, 9th halfway, slow 5 out, soon weakened and tailed off
mid-division early, 5th halfway, headway into 4th 3 out, ridden in 5th 2 out, no extra and kept on same pace
led, headed before 3rd, 2nd halfway, ridden 2 out, under pressure in 3rd entering straight, kept on again run-in to 2nd close home
tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, travelled well into 2nd entering straight, led last, ridden and kept on well run-in
mid-division early, towards rear halfway, ridden in moderate 8th and no impression before 2 out, 7th last and kept on one pace
This was won by the long odds-on Dunguib last year, the seventh favourite to score in nine runnings. START ME UP will probably be the market leader here despite having been beaten at short prices on his last two starts. A triple bumper winner, he hasn't fulfilled early potential but has generally competed at a higher level and this looks his chance. Life Of Reilly showed promise in bumpers but didn't get far on his hurdling debut when favourite at Ballinrobe in May His form in bumpers doesn't quite match that of Frisco Depot though he's another beaten at short odds last time. Winning point-to-pointer The Shepherd King landed a bumper on his latest start and as he is unlikely to have problems with the hurdles he looks the main threat if the selection doesn't come up to scratch again.
Carnkirk (IRE) 20-1 (11-12) Chased leaders early, not fluent 2nd, weakened after 4 out, 20th of 23, well behind Inspector Clouseau (11-12) at Punchestown 2m mdn hdl gd.
Controversial (IRE) 33-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders on inner, 8th halfway, soon reminders, weakened after 4 out, behind when pulled up before last, in a race won by Cool Oscar (11-5) at Gowran Park 2m 4f mdn hdl, 19 ran.
Frisco Depot 4-6fav (12-0) Prominent, almost on terms from 5f out, led approaching straight, strongly pressed from 2f out, headed inside final furlong, soon dropped to 3rd and kept on same pace, 3rd of 18, 3 1/2l behind Nodouraboura (12-0) at Roscommon 2m 4f N H flat gf in May.
Golden Society (IRE) 6-4 (12-0) Cl up, 6th 6out, prog aftr 4out & 2nd 3out, ld 2out, so best up flat, won at Dromahane 3m ire ptp in Apr '09 beating Quedillac (12-0) by nk, 15 ran.
Life Of Reilly (NZ) 7-4fav (11-4) Tracked leaders, keen hold, mistake and unseated rider 3rd, in a race won by Cyborg (11-5) at Ballinrobe 2m 6yo mdn hdl gd in May, 15 ran.
Nine Arches 33-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, headway in 11th 4 out, pulled up quickly approaching 3 out, in a race won by Ballywooden King (11-12) at Punchestown 3m mdn hdl gf in May, 19 ran.
Rockfield Abbey 20-1 (11-7) Never better than mid-division, 16th of 30, 28l behind Oneeightofamile (11-12) at Navan 2m mdn hdl sft in Sep.
Sea Master (IRE) 14-1 (11-4) Mid-division, no extra from 4 out, pulled up before next, in a race won by One Cool Tornado (11-12) at Ballinrobe 2m 4f mdn hdl gf in Aug, 15 ran.
Start Me Up (IRE) 11-10fav (11-12) Always prominent, 2nd when slight mistake 5th, challenged after 2 out, led early straight, briefly headed last, led again run-in, kept on under pressure, headed close home, 2nd of 23, nk behind Inspector Clouseau (11-12) at Punchestown 2m mdn hdl gd.
The Shepherd King (IRE) 2-1fav (12-0) Mid-division, 10th halfway, headway in 7th 3f out, 3rd 2f out, led 1 1/2f out, ridden and kept on well final furlong, comfortably, won at Listowel 2m N H flat gd in Sep beating Cebuano (11-7) by 1l, 18 ran.
A Better Excuse (IRE) 33-1 (10-10) Held up, 11th 3 out, no impression from before next, 9th of 15, 17l behind Barna Gold (11-4) at Sligo 2m 2f mdn hdl in Sep.
