tracked leader, 2nd halfway, headway to lead entering straight, kept on well from before last
towards rear, moderate 8th approaching 3 out, some headway when mistake 2 out, no extra
prominent and led after 1st, headed entering straight and dropped to 5th 2 out, soon no extra
towards rear, never a factor, pushed along after 4 out, kept on one pace in straight
tracked leaders, slow 1st and jumped right 2nd, 3rd halfway, ridden and no impression in 4th after 2 out, no extra
led early, tracked leader when hampered 2nd, dropped to rear halfway, tailed off
always towards rear, ridden and no extra approaching 3 out, weakened, tailed off
chased leaders, 5th halfway, headway on outer entering straight to go 3rd 2 out, ridden and no impression on winner before last, kept on one pace under pressure run-in
mid-division, 7th halfway, no impression in 6th early straight, kept on one pace
mid-division, 6th halfway, headway in 4th 3 out and went 2nd before next, ridden and no impression before last, kept on one pace under pressure in 3rd run-in
chased leaders, 4th halfway, no extra approaching straight, moderate 8th when mistake last
A fascinating opener with Dermot Weld and Jim Bolger both having runners alongside NH heavyweights Gordon Elliott, Willie Mullins and Noel Meade. Bolger's filly Teofolina won over 1m4f at Tipperary in July but Mullins' newcomer DOUGAL PHILPS may be the one to beat. Successful over 1m1f on soft ground at Ballinrobe in a short career on the level, he also stayed 1m4f and will have had plenty of schooling over timber. Bayan is another debutant to consider but Fairyhouse third South South West may be facing a stiff task under his penalty. Vedani should have learned plenty from his run here last month.
South South West (IRE) 14-1 (10-9) Settled in last, went 4th and ridden entering straight, went moderate 3rd before last, kept on same pace, 3rd of 5, 12l behind Our Conor (10-9) at Fairyhouse 2m 3yo hdl Grd 3 (1) sft.
Bayan (IRE) 9-2 (8-9) Held up in touch, ridden 3f out, no impression from 2f out, kept on one pace final furlong, 3rd of 5, 7l behind Biographer (9-1) at Ffos Las 1m 4f hcp 0-90 (3) sft in Aug (flat).
Dougal Philps 4-1 (8-9) Keen hold, soon led, joined over 1f out, soon headed and no extra, kept on same pace, 4th of 8, 6l behind Ondeafears (8-7) at Listowel 7f hcp hvy in Sep (flat).
Glendaars Best (IRE) 66-1 (10-7) Soon towards the back, 6th before 3 out, soon no impression under pressure, fell last, in a race won by Brog Deas (10-12) at Cork 2m 3yo mdn hdl in Nov, 7 ran.
Hartside (GER) 4-6fav (9-0) Soon 2nd, 3rd and driven along from 5f out, challenged from 3f out, led entering straight, narrowly headed under 1f out, regained lead closing stages, won at Ballinrobe 1m 6f hcp hvy in Aug beating Marlos Moment (8-13) by nk, 5 ran (flat).
Hello Humpfrey (IRE) 50-1 (11-0) Always towards rear, no extra approaching 2 out, tailed off, 7th of 9, well behind Crouching Harry (10-9) at Clonmel 2m 3yo mdn hdl.
Linkup (IRE) 7-1 (8-2) Tracked leaders, pushed along over 3f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong, 3rd of 10, 5l behind Courtesy Call (9-5) at Chepstow 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-60 (6) gf in May (flat).
Pacelli Road (IRE) 10-1 (9-2) Soon mid-division, 5th and progress from over 2f out, moderate 4th and no room on rail from over 1f out, switched and kept on inside final furlong, 4th of 9, 3 1/2l behind Qasser (9-5) at Cork 1m 3yo mdn hvy in Oct (flat).
Vedani (IRE) 13-2 (11-0) Tracked leader, jumped poorly, 4th halfway, no extra in moderate 5th entering straight, tailed off, 5th of 6, well behind Diakali (11-0) at Gowran Park 2m 3yo mdn hdl hvy in Nov.
Faanan Aldaar (IRE) 7-1 (9-0) Chased leader in 2nd, ridden to challenge 2f out, no extra over 1f out, 6th of 8, 5l behind Moo Sahara (9-0) at Dundalk 1m 4f sks pol in Oct (flat).
Teofolina (IRE) 12-1 (8-10) Dwelt, always towards rear, 9th of 11, 30l behind Seventh Sign (9-3) at Killarney 1m 6f hcp sft in Sep (flat).
Valley Queen 9-2 (9-4) Tracked leaders, ridden and every chance 2f out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 8, 7l behind Ever Fortune (9-4) at Yarmouth 1m hcp 0-70 (5) hvy in Oct (flat).
