waited with, 7th approaching halfway, pushed along from early straight and headway, kept on same pace without threatening from over 1f out
mid-division early, 6th approaching halfway, closed up on inner straight, challenged and every chance from 2f out, kept on without matching winner inside final furlong
disputed lead early, soon led, awkward at roadway after 3f, soon headed, remained prominent, effort straight, not match front pair and one pace from over 1f out
waited with early, a little keen, soon prominent, led approaching halfway, pushed along over 2f out, soon headed and no extra, one pace
mid-division early, 5th approaching halfway, pushed along from early straight, no extra and one pace over 1f out
disputed lead early, prominent, led soon after 3f, headed approaching halfway, remained prominent, effort straight, no impression and slightly impeded and switched right 1 1/2f out, one pace
waited with, soon in rear, pushed along approaching straight, soon no impression
prominent, slightly impeded after 3f, closed on outer straight, pushed along and gained narrow lead from 2f out, stayed on well to assert inside final furlong
Out of a winning bumper, PURPLE MOUNTAIN started favourite at Punchestown on New Year’s Eve but, after travelling strongly, failed to quicken in the closing stages. This looks a much easier assignment and she can cap a likely profitable evening for supporters of the Willie Mullins yard. Longacre Square is the first foal to race of a useful hurdler so warrants close inspection with Lisa O’Neill doing the steering with the market likely to dictate what’s expected from the others.
Allez Rock (IRE) Kalanisi gelding out of Far Rock.
Colonel Mustard (FR) Makfi gelding out of Waldblume.
Fongs Way (IRE) 28-1 (12-2) Waited with behind leaders, headway and effort straight, kept on same pace from 2f out, 6th of 14, 21 3/4l behind Geraldo (12-2) at Cork 2m 4f Good - Yielding in Aug.
It Could Be You (IRE) 33-1 (11-5) Waited with, not always fluent jumping and soon off pace in rear, mistake 6th and almost unseated rider, no danger and kept on same pace without threatening after, 4th of 7, dist behind Arcadian Sunrise (11-8) at Leopardstown 2m sft in Mar.
Longacre Square (IRE) Jeremy gelding out of Missed Trip.
Champagne Beauty (IRE) 50-1 (11-9) Prominent, on terms approaching straight, led over 3f out, headed under 2f out, no impression and slightly impeded under 1f out, one pace, 4th of 14, 12 1/4l behind Geraldo (12-2) at Cork 2m 4f Good - Yielding in Aug.
Hanoras Dream (IRE) Grandera M out of Pilots Dream.
Purple Mountain (IRE) 5-2fav (11-6) Tracked leaders, headway into 2nd travelling well 2f out, ridden in 2nd 2f out, soon no impression on leaders, 5th of 17, 14l behind Highstreet Roller (11-9) at Punchestown 2m 2f Good - Yielding in Dec.
Beeverstown Bullet (IRE) 25-1 (12-0) Waited with, not fluent 3rd, headway and effort to chase leaders when jumped right 3 out, no impression and mistake 2 out, not fluent last, kept on without threatening, 5th of 14, 4 3/4l behind The Wonky Tonk (12-0) at Roscommon 1m 7f mdn gd in Jul.
Il Courra (IRE) (12-2) Pr, 5th 1/2way, gng well bef 4out, prog to ld 3out, rdn into str, 3l down in 2nd when mstk & fell last, at Ballyragget 3m mdn hvy in Mar.
The Auld Triangle (IRE) Sholokhov gelding out of Goodthyme Ticket.
Three Thirds (IRE) 12-1 (11-9) Mid-division, 6th entering straight, soon ridden and no impression, 6th of 15, 11 1/4l behind Caravation (11-9) at Naas 2m Good - Yielding in Nov.
