chased leader, well off pace, not jump well from 6 out onwards, dropped to moderate 4th and no extra approaching straight, lame
chased leaders, well off pace, 2nd and closer order 4 out, challenged approaching 2 out where slight mistake, on terms travelling well when not fluent last, eased ahead closing stages
way off pace in mid-division best, poor 5th and no extra approaching straight, tailed off
led and soon well clear, jumped well, reduced lead 4 out, pressed approaching 2 out, headed closing stages, kept on without matching winner
soon way off pace towards rear, slow jump 3rd, soon no danger, tailed off
chased leaders, well off pace, moderate 3rd and kept on same pace approaching straight
way off pace in mid-division, poor 6th and no danger approaching straight
soon way off the pace towards rear, poor 9th 6 out, no danger after, kept on same pace
soon way off pace towards rear, never a factor, tailed off
way off pace in mid-division best, never a factor, tailed off
not jump well, way off pace in mid-division best, never a factor, tailed off
DISTANT MEMORIES, a winner at Group 3 and Listed level on the Flat for Tom Tate in the UK, could be a very smart recruit for Tom Taaffe and can make a winning start over timber. Both Page Turner and Sir Harry Cash showed a bit of promise in bumpers last year but have long absences to overcome so Captain Ocana looks the main threat as his close second to the promising Ballysteen at Cork last month was a very good effort.
Captain Ocana (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Led, strongly pressed and headed after 3 out, no impression on winner when slight mistake last, kept on one pace, 2nd of 10, 2 3/4l behind Ballysteen (11-12) at Cork 2m mdn hdl in Nov.
Distant Memories (IRE) 16-1 (9-0) Soon tracked leader, ridden 3f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 4th of 7, 9l behind Hunter's Light (8-8) at Goodwood 1m 2f Listed stks 3yo (1) sft in Sep (flat).
Handsome Dan (IRE) 8-1 (11-7) Mid-division, 6th 5f out, kept on same pace from before straight, 6th of 11, 32l behind Leave Him Alone (12-0) at Cork 2m 4f NH flat gd in Apr.
Page Turner (IRE) 8-1 (11-7) Led, headed and ridden 4f out, 2nd entering straight, soon 3rd, kept on one paced, 3rd of 12, 9l behind New Rules (12-0) at Listowel 2m N H flat gf in Jun '10.
Rinn Ua Gcuanach (IRE) Broadway Flyer gelding out of Concinna.
Sir Harry Cash 10-1 (10-7) Prominent, outpaced 3f out, not much room, switched right then hung right 2f out, stayed on same pace from over 1f out to take 3rd inside final furlng, 3rd of 12, 12l behind Vesey Lodge (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m NH flat (6) gd in Jul '10.
Talking Dan (IRE) 50-1 (11-4) Mid-division, ran a little off bend approaching 6 out, 7th 3 out, soon no extra, 11th of 16, 48l behind Casa Jove (11-4) at Clonmel 2m mdn hdl sft in Oct.
Gothen Niece (IRE) 10-1 (8-12) In touch, ridden over 4f out, outpaced over 3f out, kept on final furlong, 6th of 15, 13l behind Fitz (9-3) at Ffos Las 1m hcp 0-60 (6) gs in Sep (flat).
Kippbeag (IRE) Golden Tornado mare out of Mrs Birchwood.
Tip For The Top (IRE) Beneficial mare out of Give Me Style.
Who You (IRE) 10-1 (11-4) Alw twrds rr, 11th 6out, wknd up bef 4out & to when pu bef 3out, in a race won by Catalan Cruz (12-0) at Boulta 3m ire ptp sft in Nov, 16 ran.
