tracked leaders in 6th, ridden 4f out, soon lost touch
always prominent, led before halfway, driven along and edged clear early straight, 3 lengths advantage 1f out, strongly pressed when drifted right close home, all out to hold on
tracked leaders in 4th, progress into 2nd 3f out, 3rd and ridden early straight, no impression until ran on well inside final furlong, just failed
led, headed before halfway, driven along and weakened over 5f out, trailing when eased entering straight, tailed off
tracked leaders in 5th, improved into 3rd 4f out, 2nd early straight, soon ridden and no impression, kept on same pace final furlong
held up in rear, progress into 7th 4f out, moderate 5th and no impression straight
tracked leaders in 3rd, 2nd 5f out, ridden and weakened over 3f out
towards rear, ridden and no impression from 4f out
held up in touch, 7th halfway, 5th 4f out, no extra before straight
held up, 8th 4f out, headway into 4th entering straight, ridden and kept on from 2f out
Narrandera is the only one of the 10 entries never to have won a race. Jim Will Fix It landed a maiden point in October and gained a surprise but deserved success on his bumper debut on heavy ground at Clonmel. Bayross provided even more of a shock when scoring at Down Royal but Mississippi River was a long odds-on chance at Cork after a very good run previously behind today's rival REBEL FITZ at Galway and it's the latter who gets the nod here. Shannon Spirit hasn't been seen since well beaten in the Festival bumper at Cheltenham but had made an impressive winning debut at Thurles while Sydney Des Pictons showed that an absence shouldn't be a concern with a debut success in what looked a fair bumper at Fairyhouse in April. Valleymount is another to consider after a very easy success in heavy ground at Cork in October.
Bayross (IRE) 33-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, headway into 2nd 3f out, ridden to challenge 2f out, led 1f out, kept on well final furlong, won at Down Royal 2m N H flat sft in Nov beating Lady Olwyn (11-2) by 1 1/4l, 13 ran.
Jim Will Fix It (IRE) 20-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, keen hold early, on terms over 4f out, led and ridden clear from 2f out, stayed on well, won at Clonmel 2m N H flat hvy in Nov beating Rolly Baby (12-0) by 2 1/2l, 14 ran.
Mississippi River (IRE) 2-5fav (11-7) Tracked leaders in moderate 5th, headway travelling well entering straight, led on bridle under 2f out, shaken up briefly final furlong, stayed on well, easily, won at Cork 2m N H flat sft in Nov beating Grove Pride (11-0) by 4l, 7 ran.
Narrandera (IRE) 25-1 (11-7) Mid-division best, no extra from over 5f out, 10th of 14, well behind Jim Will Fix It (11-7) at Clonmel 2m N H flat hvy in Nov.
Rebel Fitz (FR) 7-2 (12-0) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, headway in 3rd 2f out, ridden to lead 1f out, drifted right, kept on well final furlong, won at Galway 2m N H flat gd in Oct beating Mississippi River (11-0) by 1 1/4l, 11 ran.
Shannon Spirit (IRE) 14-1 (11-5) In touch, lost place over 4f out, soon behind, 22nd of 24, 48l behind Cue Card (10-12) at Cheltenham 2m N H flat G1 (1) gd in Mar.
Bandra Bullet (IRE) 12-1 (11-4) Chased leader, 3rd halfway, ridden in 2nd 3f out, under pressure in 4th 2f out, stayed on to 2nd 1f out, no chance with winner, kept on same pace, 2nd of 6, 6l behind Dylan Ross (11-11) at Down Royal 2m N H flat in Nov.
Sydney Des Pictons (FR) 20-1 (11-0) Held up in touch, 11th approaching halfway, took closer order 4f out, 8th on outer entering straight, 4th 1f out, ran on strongly to lead close home, won at Fairyhouse 2m 4yo nhf hvy in Apr beating Samain (11-8) by nk, 16 ran.
True Character (IRE) 3-1 (11-4) Settled mid-division early, 5th halfway, headway in 3rd 3f out, ridden to lead 2f out, clear over 1f out, kept on strongly, won at Navan 2m N H flat sft beating Hildisvini (11-6) by 4l, 9 ran.
Valleymount (IRE) 3-1fav (10-13) Rear of mid-division, headway from 4f out, ridden to lead 1 1/2f out, kept on well final furlong, comfortably, won at Cork 2m mares n h flat 4yo hvy in Oct beating Winslet (11-1) by 6l, 16 ran.
