led at sedate pace, disputed at 2nd, headed before 7th, on terms 4 out, led after 3 out, not fluent 2 out, ridden and kept on run-in, headed close home
held up, 3rd before 7th, closed after 3 out, improved to 2nd before 2 out, ridden before last where mistake, soon dropped to 3rd, weakened
tracked leader, disputed at 2nd, led before 7th where not fluent, joined 4 out, slight mistake 3 out and headed, ridden in 3rd before 2 out, ran on well in 2nd final 100 yards to lead close home
rear, took closer order in 5th before 8th, left 4th after 3 out, pushed along before 2 out where bad mistake and detached, no extra
held up, 4th before 7th, not fluent 3 out and pulled up quickly
Born By The Sea only had two to beat when sent to Wetherby though they were both much shorter prices. Madison To Monroe, a winning point-to-pointer, outbattled the runner-up when making a successful debut over timber at Navan where he showed real battling qualities. DIOL KER looked an outstanding prospect when beating subsequent Cheltenham winner Monkfish at Fairyhouse last November and he's been chasing this campaign. Reverting to hurdles here he can end the winning run of Clondaw Secret, whose victory between the flags was followed by a hard-fought battle over hurdles at Navan. Tower Bridge is much better known as a chaser but went to Market Rasen for a Pertemps Hurdle qualifier last month and stayed on from the rear.
Born By The Sea (IRE) 7-1 (11-0) Held up, pushed along to gain a place 12th, driven approaching 4 out, soon outpaced, rallied 3 out, led after last, ran on, won at Wetherby 3m (4) gs in Nov beating The Mulcair (11-0) by 3/4l, 3 ran.
Clondaw Secret (IRE) 8-1 (12-0) Prominent, 4th after 4th, not fluent 4 out, headway and effort straight, on terms approaching last and mistake, led and stayed on best closing stages, won at Navan 2m 4f mdn sft in Dec beating Lifetime Ambition (12-0) by 1/2l, 18 ran.
Diol Ker (FR) 6-1 (12-0) Tracked leader in 2nd, mistake 1st, dropped to 3rd from 5th, 3rd and bad mistake 4 out, ridden in 3rd entering straight, moderate 4th from last, no extra, 4th of 11, 11 1/2l behind Monkfish (12-0) at Fairyhouse 2m 5f sft in Nov.
Madison To Monroe (IRE) 7-1 (11-0) Prominent, pushed along after 4 out, soon lost position, weakened straight, 6th of 7, dist behind Robin De Carlow (10-11) at Cork 3m lst (1) Good - Yielding in Nov.
Tower Bridge (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) Held up, headway to track leaders after 3 out, left in fourth 2 out, kept on run-in but lacked pace to challenge, 4th of 9, 5 1/2l behind Teescomponents Lad (10-9) at Market Rasen 2m 7f hcp (2) gd in Nov.
