held up, ridden in 7th 3f out, stayed on in moderate 4th 1f out, kept on final furlong to 2nd closing stages, no chance with winner
held up towards rear, ridden in 6th 3f out, no impression entering straight
chased leader in moderate 2nd, closed 6f out, disputed from 5f out, led 2f out, ridden clear over 1f out. kept on strongly
chased leaders, moderate 3rd halfway, 4th and closer 6f out, 3rd 5f out, ridden in 4th 2f out, no impression and kept on one pace
held up in mid-division, progress into 4th 4f out, ridden into 3rd 2f out, 2nd and no impression winner over 1f out, kept on same pace, lost 2nd closing stages final furlong
chased leaders, moderate 4th halfway, closer in 3rd 6f out, disputed from 5f out, ridden in 2nd 2f out, no extra over 1f out, kept on one pace
held up towards rear, progress into 5th 4f out, ridden and no extra over 2f out
led and soon clear, reduced advantage 6f out, headed 5f out, weakened and tailed off
A very strong and competitive bumper in which seven of the eight have won. Yes Sir Brian has come up against useful opposition since making a winning debut at Punchestown a year ago while Montys Meadow showed massive improvement on his previous starts when scoring easily at Cork. Mr Boss Man will need to find more after scrambling home at Punchestown but Black Rainbow gave 5lb and a beating to a subsequent winner on the same track last month and is at the forefront of the betting for the Champion Bumper. STACK THE DECK showed the benefit of his opening run with a very impressive victory at Limerick and gets the vote ahead of Vicangelome, who stormed to a 10-length victory on testing ground at Cork.
Montys Meadow (IRE) 6-1 (11-9) Took keen hold and soon prominent, led under 3f out, clear 1f out, stayed on well, won at Cork 2m N H flat sft in Dec beating Clounts Meadows (11-7) by 5l, 18 ran.
Mr Boss Man (IRE) 14-1 (11-7) Always prominent, ridden in 2nd entering straight, led over 1f out, stayed on well under pressure final furlong, strongly pressed close home, won at Punchestown 2m N H flat in Nov beating Bosman Rule (12-0) by 1/2l, 11 ran.
Black Hercules (IRE) 4-7fav (11-9) Made all, ridden and challenged 1 1/2f out, kept on well from over 1f out, won at Punchestown 2m 4yo nhf in Dec beating Cillian's Return (11-4) by 2 1/2l, 12 ran.
Mystical Dreamer (IRE) 5-4fav (11-2) Held up in mid-division, headway over 5f out, led over 2f out, ridden and stayed on well inside final furlong, won at Sedgefield 2m 1f NH flat (6) sft in Nov beating Hitman Harry (11-2) by 2 1/2l, 11 ran.
Stack The Deck (IRE) 11-10fav (11-11) Held up towards rear, took keen hold, good headway on outer to track leaders before straight, led travelling smoothly from 2f out, clear over 1f out, stayed on well, easily, won at Limerick 2m nhf hvy in Dec beating Dr Zoom (11-6) by 10l, 17 ran.
Vicangelome (FR) 2-1fav (11-5) Chased leaders, closer in 4th 7f out, headway travelling smoothly 3f out, led over 2f out, soon clear, stayed on well, easily, won at Cork 2m N H flat hvy beating Perfect Promise (11-4) by 10l, 11 ran.
Yes Sir Brian (IRE) 9-2 (11-11) Held up early, led after 1f, headed 3f out, soon ridden in last, 4th and no impression over 1f out, kept on one pace, 4th of 5, 10l behind Value At Risk (11-6) at Leopardstown 2m N H flat sft in Dec.
Niamh Machine (IRE) 14-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, headway on inner 2f out, soon no extra,, last of 9, 28l behind Lord Adare (11-11) at Limerick 2m 2f N H flat hvy in Dec.
