tracked leaders racing keenly, 4th halfway, went 2nd 4 out and tried to challenge early straight, no chance with winner from before last, kept on one pace
settled in rear of mid-division, 6th halfway, headway into 3rd approaching 3 out, pushed along and no impression before next, no extra
towards rear, 5th halfway, ridden and no extra in moderate 4th 3 out, weakened
led, mistake 1st, headed before 4 out where mistake and soon weakened
in rear, never a factor, moderate 5th approaching 3 out, went 4th but no threat in straight
tracked leader in 2nd, led before 4 out, in control from before last and drew clear run-in, easily
held up and took keen hold, went 3rd before halfway, no extra and dropped to moderate 6th before 3 out, weakened
REINE ANGEVINE was odds-on for her first three starts but won just one, a bumper at Killarney in August. She looked an improved performer when beating a big field over the C&D last month and with her allowance coming into play may have too much basic speed for Rogue Angel. Mouse Morris' point-to-point winner is a chaser in the making and didn't impress everyone at Galway last time though he'll love the heavy ground. Blacklough has battled on to land a Killarney bumper and a maiden hurdle at Fairyhouse and those qualities should stand him in good stead in these testing conditions. The remainder will all need to find improvement to get involved.
Blacklough (IRE) 10-1 (11-9) Tracked leaders, improved to dispute 2nd 2 out, ridden to lead narrowly before last, stayed on well run-in, won at Fairyhouse 2m mdn hdl sft beating Akatara (10-4) by nk, 14 ran.
Rogue Angel (IRE) 1-6fav (11-7) Tracked leaders in 3rd, improved to challenge 2 out, soon ridden to lead, clear last, easily, won at Galway 2m 4yo mdn hdl in Oct beating Up Sluggarh (11-0) by 8l, 11 ran.
Apache Gold (IRE) 8-1 (8-11) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, ridden in 6th 2f out, no impression in 5th 1f out, kept on same pace, 5th of 14, 3 1/2l behind The Reek (8-9) at Dundalk 1m hcp 47-65 pol (flat).
Bad Cigar (IRE) 25-1 (10-11) Soon chased leaders, a bit slow 4 out, soon no impression, not fluent 2 out and kept on same pace, 10th of 14, 37l behind Rawnaq (11-9) at Bellewstown 2m 1f hcp hdl 80-102 in Aug.
Fiveinthemorn (IRE) 33-1 (11-4) Mid-division, 6th 3 out, soon weakened, 11th of 14, 18l behind Blacklough (11-9) at Fairyhouse 2m mdn hdl sft.
Reine Angevine (FR) 4-1 (11-1) Tracked leaders, moderate 3rd after halfway, took closer order 3 out, led travelling well approaching 2 out, soon drew clear, mistake last, eased run-in, impressive, won at Gowran Park 2m 4yo mdn hdl gd in Oct beating Dumbarton (11-8) by 10l, 20 ran.
Cheap As Chips (IRE) 50-1 (10-6) Towards rear for most, never a factor, 11th of 17, 46l behind The Boys Dont Know (10-13) at Thurles 2m mares mdn hdl.
Paddy Wicklow (IRE) Statue Of Liberty gelding out of Pregonda.
