led, joined from 6th, slight mistake 7th, slight mistake 10th, reminder after 5 out, headed before 4 out, soon under pressure, no extra and hit 2 out
tracked leaders, slight mistake 10th and pushed along briefly, closed on inner 3 out, soon switched right and 2nd and pushed along, challenged and on terms 2 out, led and stayed on best run-in
in rear, slight mistake 7th, no danger from 9th, went poor 5th closing stages
held up in 5th, slight mistake 4th, no danger from 9th, dropped to last closing stages
prominent in 2nd, on terms from 6th, led before 4 out, joined 2 out, ridden and headed run-in, kept on without matching winner
tracked leaders, slight mistake 6th, mistake 5 out, no impression from 3 out, no extra and not fluent 2 out
HURRICANE DARWIN has more to do than when scoring at Down Royal but would have been unbeaten over fences if he'd stood up at Thurles earlier and looks progressive enough to beat better class rivals. Festive Day won in a canter at Fairyhouse last month but has been well beaten in both subsequent starts but The Winkler could have the form of his convincing Downpatrick victory franked by a good run from runner-up Aminabad in the previous race. Sandymount Duke's third place behind Bellshill in a Grade 1 novice hurdle at Punchestown last month is clearly the pick of the form and if taking to the bigger obstacles than he'll be very difficult to beat.
Festive Day (IRE) 16-1 (11-7) Led, headed 1st and chased leader, slight mistake 3 out, ridden in 3rd entering straight, no extra in 4th 2 out, kept on one pace, 4th of 6, 23 3/4l behind Katnap (11-3) at Fairyhouse 2m 5f Yielding in Apr.
The Winkler (IRE) 2-1fav (11-7) Held up towards rear, ridden in 4th entering straight, stayed on into 2nd last, kept on run-in without troubling winner, 2nd of 6, 3 3/4l behind Katnap (11-3) at Fairyhouse 2m 5f Yielding in Apr.
Castlebeach King (IRE) 28-1 (11-4) Soon towards rear, ridden 3 out, no impression next, 7th of 12, 23 1/4l behind The Gatechecker (11-12) at Ballinrobe 2m 4f mdn gd in May.
Mayo Rap (IRE) 12-1 (12-2) Mid div, 7th aftr a mile, lst pl by 5th, fair 9th 5out, wknd aftr 4out & bhnd when pu bef 3out, at Boulta 3m in Nov.
Sandymount Duke (IRE) 14-1 (11-10) Prominent and disputed early, chased leaders from after 4th, 3rd halfway, 2nd 5 out, challenged 3 out, soon disputed, ridden in 2nd entering straight, narrow lead briefly before last, 3rd and no extra when slight mistake last, kept on same pace, 3rd of 11, 3 1/2l behind Bellshill (11-10) at Punchestown 3m (1) Good - Yielding in Apr.
Knockraha Pylon (IRE) 10-3 (11-7) Tracked leaders in 3rd, ridden in 4th 2 out, 3rd before last, went 2nd after last, not trouble winner run-in, 2nd of 11, 2 1/4l behind Valyssa Monterg (11-7) at Kilbeggan 2m 4f gd in Apr.
Hurricane Darwin (IRE) 5-4fav (11-12) Soon raced in 4th, pushed along to chase leader approaching 2 out, challenged and led between last 2, ridden to assert run-in, stayed on well, comfortably, won at Down Royal 2m 4f gd in May beating Sue Oscar (11-5) by 6l, 8 ran.
