led, not fluent at 3rd and 5th, soon headed, closed 4 out, improved to lead narrowly 2 out, stayed on well run-in
tracked leader, led after 5th, headed 2 out, not fluent at last, no impression on winner run-in
tracked leader, 3rd at 7th, niggled along approaching straight, no impression on leaders before 2 out, one paced run-in
raced off pace towards rear, took closer order in 4th before 6th, slow jump at 9th, under pressure and detached after 3 out, kept on same pace, no threat
in rear, slow jump at 2nd and detached, soon trailing, mistake at 6th, never a factor, completely tailed off
Oighear Dubh was engaged in the 3.10 at Fairyhouse yesterday where he looked to have more chance than here. Gordon Elliott saddles Poormans Hill and Tombstone. The former won seven times after being transferred to the yard last September including his first four so the lack of a recent run won't be a problem. The latter has won six races in his career including Grade 3's over hurdles and fences. He finished last of five when returning to action in a Grade 3 over timber at Tipperary but found 2m much too short and will be a different proposition here. MONTALBANO has had jumping problems that have held him back and has finished behind Tombstone on three occasions but he did nothing wrong at Ballinrobe last month and that race-fitness can help him see off the Elliott duo.
Tombstone (IRE) 5-1 (11-0) Raced in 3rd, slight mistake 4th, soon 4th, effort and mistake 2 out, no impression after, 5th of 6, 13 3/4l behind Bedrock (11-7) at Tipperary 2m (1) gd in Oct.
Montalbano 4-7fav (11-10) Held up in 4th, closer disputing 2nd 4 out, 2nd next, ridden and led 2 out, stayed on well from last, comfortably, won at Ballinrobe 2m 3f Soft - Heavy in Sep beating Velocity Boy (11-10) by 9l, 5 ran.
Oighear Dubh (IRE) 7-1 (11-3) Held up towards rear, slight mistake 7th, progress into 6th after 3 out, ridden in 4th before 2 out, disputed 3rd last, kept on same pace run-in, 3rd of 13, 5 3/4l behind Sweet Home Chicago (11-12) at Clonmel 3m hcp gd in Oct.
Poormans Hill (IRE) 20-1 (10-11) Towards rear, some headway into 7th approaching straight and no impression, one pace, 7th of 19, 32 1/4l behind Wounded Warrior (10-12) at Punchestown 3m 6f hcp sft in Apr.
Redwood Castle (IRE) 33-1 (11-12) Always rear, never a factor, slight mistake 2nd, detached before 4 out, no extra, left moderate 3rd 2 out and left distant 2nd last, 2nd of 4, dist behind Oh Me Oh My (11-5) at Gowran Park 2m 2f gd in Oct.
