prominent, led before 2 out, soon joined, pushed along straight, stayed on best run-in
towards rear, soon behind, never a factor, completely tailed off
chased leaders, not fluent 2nd, 3rd from 2 out, pushed along straight, challenged approaching last where on terms, soon headed and kept on without matching winner
towards rear, soon behind, slight mistake 5th, soon pushed along, weakened, completely tailed off
prominent, slightly slow jump 5th, soon dropped to 5th, no impression 7th, weakened, completely tailed off
chased leaders, closed approaching 2 out, soon on terms, pushed along straight, dropped to 3rd from before last where slight mistake, kept on without matching 1st 2 run-in
led, headed before 2 out, soon no extra and weakened
This looks a classy maiden. A Toi Phil finished runner-up in heavy going at Auteuil in March and started long odds-on for his debut over timber at Clonmel on Tuesday. Unfortunately for his supporters he unshipped his rider at the first bend and is on a retrieving mission here. Don't Touch It had been showing good form before landing a Punchestown bumper then did well to run the useful Stone Hard close on his hurdling debut at Gowran. There's more to come from Jessica Harrington's charge though the hurdling debut of VIGIL has been long awaited. Dermot Weld's son of Dansili has shown himself top-class in bumpers and looks a very smart prospect. Round Tower hasn't done much wrong though will need to raise his game against this opposition but Volvalien could be anything after making all in a Listowel bumper and coming home virtually alone.
A Toi Phil (FR) 2-5fav (11-4) Veered left and ran out on bend soon after start, unseated rider, at Clonmel 2m 4f mdn hvy in Dec.
Alices Man (IRE) Golan gelding out of Awbeg Flower.
Don't Touch It (IRE) 11-2 (11-12) Chased clear leader, moderate 5th halfway, closer after 3 out, pushed along and progress to go 2nd by-passing 2nd last, not fluent last, ridden and kept on one pace run-in, 2nd of 20, 2l behind Stone Hard (11-12) at Gowran Park 2m mdn sft in Nov.
Its Music (IRE) 50-1 (11-12) Soon chased leaders, bad mistake 6th, soon raced in 8th, dropped to rear approaching 7th, soon behind, pulled up after 8th, at Limerick 2m 3f mdn hvy in Mar.
Master Ruffit (IRE) 3-1 (12-1) Mid-div, 7th 1/2way, prog to 2nd bef 2out, wknd to 3rd & no ex bef last, lost 3rd close home, 4th of 11, 19l behind An Tiora Dall (12-1) at Rockfield 3m mdn gs in Nov.
Vigil (IRE) 8-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, challenged 3f out, ridden to lead briefly over 1f out, soon lost place, no extra inside final furlong, 5th of 23, 7 1/4l behind Moon Racer (11-5) at Cheltenham 2m (1) gd in Mar.
Volvalien (FR) 6-4fav (12-0) Led and 5 lengths clear early, reduced advantage after 5f, 5 lengths clear again halfway, increased advantage 3f out, stayed on well, eased close home, very easily, won at Listowel 2m sft in Sep beating Heath King (12-0) by 19l, 10 ran.
Round Tower (IRE) 13-8fav (11-0) Tended to jump left, led and soon clear until 4 out, headed approaching the last, not pace of winner run-in, 2nd of 11, 4l behind Chitu (11-0) at Musselburgh 2m 3f mdn (5) gs in Nov.
