chased leader in moderate 2nd, closed 5 out, soon close up, dropped to 4th and no extra from before straight
soon well off pace in mid-division, niggled along 7th, 6th after 3 out, no extra next
held up well off pace towards rear, closed from 5 out, tracked leaders from 3 out, no extra from after next
chased leaders, mainly moderate 3rd, some slightly awkward jumps, closed 5 out, led from 2 out, clear before straight, reduced lead last, ridden out to assert run-in
soon raced in moderate 6th, closer in 5th from 5 out, ridden in moderate 3rd before straight, no impression and kept on same pace from before last
held up in rear, closed from before 2 out, ridden into moderate 2nd before straight, closed last, no impression and kept on same pace run-in
chased leaders, mainly moderate 4th, closed 5 out, dropped to rear and ridden approaching 2 out, soon no impression, kept on same pace without threatening
led and clear, slight mistake and reduced lead 5 out, headed and no extra from 2 out
One winning favourite in 11 years suggest punters should be wary of this. Datokepe and Safari Sunup enter the fray in fine shape but both have penalties to carry in this very strong novices event. Fuschia Belle was very disappointing behind Safari Sunup last time and can do better while Bideford Legend has mixed hurdling and chasing but would have a fair chance on his short-head second to Abbey Glen over timber at Listowel last month. Tavern Times is improving and though stepping beyond two miles for the first time looks certain to be suited and though House Rules and Moncherie will need to improve both appear capable of doing so. ENDLESS INTRIGUE won a handicap on the Flat at this meeting a year ago by eight lengths and though yet to reach those heights over timber his trainer will have had this in mind for some time and he looks another Festival winner for the yard.
Datokepe (IRE) 10-11fav (11-4) Settled in behind leaders, improved to lead 4 out, clear approaching last, stayed on well run-in, comfortably, won at Kilbeggan 3m hdl gf in May beating Brownpolish (11-2) by 7l, 10 ran.
Safari Sunup (IRE) 10-1 (11-12) Held up in 6th, 5th 5 out, soon tracked leaders, ridden into moderate 2nd 3 out, closed and mistake next, slightly impeded before last where on terms, soon led and stayed on well, won at Roscommon 2m 4f nh nov hdl gd beating Jacksonslady (11-7) by 1/2l, 8 ran.
House Rules (IRE) 6-4 (11-12) Tracked leaders, closed approaching straight, 2nd when not fluent 2 out, no impression under pressure and kept on same pace from last, 2nd of 6, 2l behind Raggletagglegypsy (11-12) at Killarney 2m 1f nh nov hdl gd.
Tavern Times (IRE) 4-5fav (11-7) Chased leader in moderate 2nd, closed approaching 2 out, soon ridden, led before last, headed and kept on without matching winner run-in, 2nd of 4, 1/2l behind Sulwaan (10-10) at Sligo 2m nh nov hdl gd.
Bideford Legend (IRE) 13-8fav (10-13) Chased leaders, closed from 3 out, 3rd before straight, led under pressure approaching last, strongly pressed run-in, stayed on well, heded on line, 2nd of 15, shd behind Abbey Glen (9-11) at Listowel 3m hcp hdl gd in Jun.
Endless Intrigue (IRE) 7-4fav (11-12) Chased leaders, 6th halfway, headway into 2nd before 2 out, ridden entering straight, no extra in 4th last, kept on same pace run-in, 4th of 11, 6l behind Westmeath (11-12) at Leopardstown 2m 4f mdn hdl sft in Feb.
Fuschia Belle (IRE) 7-4 (11-7) Soon raced in 5th, progress into 2nd after 6 out, on terms 4 out, dropped to 3rd and ridden approaching straight, moderate 4th and no impression from 3 out, 3rd of 8, 30l behind Safari Sunup (11-12) at Roscommon 2m 4f nh nov hdl gd.
Moncherie (IRE) 10-1 (10-13) Made all, clear for most, in control from 3 out, stayed on well, eased run-in, easily, won at Wexford 2m 2f mares mdn hdl gd beating Ennisnag (10-13) by 12l, 16 ran.
