raced in 3rd, 2nd and ridden to challenge before 2 out, every chance when forced slightly right approaching last, kept on same pace run-in
tracked leaders in 4th, improved into 2nd 4 out, dropped to 4th when not fluent 2 out, kept on same pace
held up in touch, progress into 5th after halfway, 4th after 3 out, 3rd and ridden to challenge after 2 out, soon edged right, led approaching last, stayed on well
held up in 7th, raced keenly, ridden and weakened 3 out, tailed off
tracked leaders in 5th, lost place 5 out, soon weakened, pulled up before 3 out
chased leader in 2nd, 4th 4 out, soon ridden, 5th and weakened after 3 out
always behind, weakened before 4 out, completely tailed off
led, ridden and strongly pressed from before 2 out, slightly short of room when headed approaching last, no extra run-in
The Fonze is a great credit to his connections and gained the 13th victory of his career when completing a hurdling double at Down Royal last month having previously scored at Kilbeggan. He looks certain to make a bold bid but may find NEW PHASE has too much pace for him. Dermot Weld's charge has won four of his 10 starts including a bumper on fast ground at Punchestown and looked very progressive when beating Awkward Moment at Fairyhouse in February. Final Day landed his maiden in great style at Down Royal and is expected to eventually go on to better things. This is his toughest test to date but he looks a very nice prospect for Gordon Elliott.
Final Day (IRE) Evensfav (11-12) Settled mid-division, headway in 5th 4 out, led 3 out, clear before next, kept on strongly, easily, won at Down Royal 2m mdn hdl fm in Jun beating Only Heather (10-13) by 5l, 19 ran.
New Phase (IRE) 13-8 (11-10) Tracked leader in 2nd, 3rd 4 out, close 4th 3 out, improved to challenge 2 out, soon led, clear before last where mistake, ridden and kept on well run-in, comfortably, won at Fairyhouse 2m hdl sft in Feb beating Awkward Moment (11-3) by 3l, 6 ran.
The Fonze (IRE) 4-1 (11-12) Mid-division, headway into 5th 5 out, 3rd 3 out, ridden to lead 2 out, kept on well from before last, won at Down Royal 2m hdl fm in Jun beating Auenschutze (11-1) by 1/2l, 13 ran.
Blindspin 16-1 (11-8) Tracked leaders, 5th 3 out, ridden and weakened straight, 12th of 19, 32l behind Sweeps Hill (11-12) at Tipperary 2m mdn hdl sft in Oct.
Emmpat (IRE) 8-1 (11-6) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, improved to challenge 3 out, led before 2 out, ridden and headed 2 out, no extra before last, kept on one pace, 5th of 13, 8l behind The Fonze (11-12) at Down Royal 2m hdl fm in Jun.
Holly Tree (IRE) 25-1 (11-7) Chased leader in 2nd, ridden and no extra before straight, 4th 3 out, weakened, last of 8, 50l behind Golden Silver (11-12) at Cork 2m chs Grd 2 hvy in Dec.
I Am Jeff (IRE) 33-1 (10-10) Towards rear, pulled way into 4th on outer before halfway, soon weakened and lost touch from 4 out, completely tailed off, 10th of 12, well behind Swiftmarc (11-10) at Tipperary 2m 4f hdl gf in Jun.
Roseska (USA) 25-1 (10-8) Prominent, disputed lead from 5th, led after 3 out, soon ridden and strongly pressed, headed after last, kept on run-in, 2nd of 12, 1l behind Tryptronic (10-4) at Gowran Park 2m hcp hdl gf in Jun.
The God Of Love (USA) 6-1 (11-1) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden before 2 out, no extra in 3rd last, kept on same pace, 3rd of 13, 5l behind The Fonze (11-12) at Down Royal 2m hdl fm in Jun.
