chased leaders, 2nd before 6 out and soon improved to dispute lead, left in lead 4 out, pushed along before 2 out where not fluent, ridden and joined before last, headed and no extra in 3rd run-in
chased leaders on inner, not fluent 4th, dropped to mid-division from 7th, ridden in 6th from 3 out, soon no extra and weakened, stopped to walk run-in tailed off
chased leaders on outer, not fluent 3rd, 4th when brought wide and pulled up before 6 out
mid-division, closer in 5th before 6 out, improved into 2nd after 3 out and ridden to challenge after next, disputed lead before last, headed run-in and kept on without matching winner
chased leaders and 4th before 6 out where not fluent, ridden and dropped to 5th after 3 out, no extra and kept on same pace from before next
soon led, mistake 1st, joined after 6 out, mistake and unseated rider 4 out
raced mainly in rear, ridden from 5 out and went moderate 8th 3 out, soon no extra and kept on same pace from next
towards rear, mistake 5th and reminders, 9th before 6 out and ridden in 7th from 3 out, soon no extra and kept on same pace from next
mid-division, closer in 6th before 6 out, not fluent 4 out, improved into 3rd after 3 out and ridden before next, switched to inner to challenge before last, led run-in and kept on best close home
mid-division, 8th before 6 out and pushed along after next, dropped to rear before 3 out and pulled up before next
mid-division, 10th before 6 out, ridden in 9th from 3 out and soon no impression, tailed off
chased leaders and 3rd before 6 out, slightly hampered 4 out and not fluent next, ridden in 4th after 3 out, no extra and kept on same pace from 2 out
Leading point-to-point trainer Jonathan Sweeney does very well with his runners under Rules and BATTLING SPIRIT landed a nice touch on only his second start for the yard at Clonmel. He has a 9lb rise to overcome but won with some authority and the longer trip is in his favour. Ali Bin Nayef was beaten a long way in that Clonmel event but had been in excellent form previously and didn't give his true running. The Church Gate landed a Thurles handicap before failing to defy an 8lb rise at Navan and has gone up again while Itsallhappening appeared to have been affected by his earlier fall when pulling up at Kilbeggan in July and has been given a break.
The Church Gate (IRE) 11-2 (10-13) Mid-division on outer, headway into 4th 3 out, soon ridden, 4th next, kept on same pace run-in, 3rd of 23, 6 1/4l behind Glenabo Bridge (10-7) at Navan 2m 6f hcp sft in Dec.
Hes Our Vinnie (IRE) 14-1 (11-11) Close up and disputed lead, lost place from 10th, soon weakened, pulled up before 3 out, at Fairyhouse 2m 7f hcp Soft - Heavy in Nov.
Ali Bin Nayef 9-2 (11-6) Soon tracked leaders, close 4th at halfway, no extra from before straight, 5th of 11, dist behind Battling Spirit (11-3) at Clonmel 2m 3f hcp Soft - Heavy in Dec.
About You (IRE) 50-1 (10-11) Towards rear, never a factor, pushed along before 4 out, moderate 10th 2 out, kept on one pace, 6th of 14, 32l behind Manger Et Trotter (10-11) at Clonmel 2m 4f mdn Soft - Heavy in Nov.
Foreign Bay (IRE) 20-1 (10-8) Led, joined 8th, led again and mistake 4 out, ridden and headed entering straight, weakened, 14th of 23, dist behind Glenabo Bridge (10-7) at Navan 2m 6f hcp sft in Dec.
Itsallhappening (IRE) 9-2jfav (10-13) Mid-division, pushed along before 2 out and soon no impression, pulled up before last, at Kilbeggan 3m 1f hcp gd in Jul.
Hackets Folly (IRE) 14-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, 7th halfway, ridden 5 out, rear and mistake 4 out, weakened, 14th of 15, dist behind Cut The Corner (11-1) at Tramore 2m 5f hcp gd in Aug.
Flathertys Gap (IRE) 33-1 (11-6) Held up, not fluent 1st, last from 5th, slight mistake 6th, no danger 4 out, pulled up before 2 out, at Fairyhouse 2m 4f hcp Soft - Heavy in Nov.
The Grey Guy (IRE) 25-1 (11-4) Soon tracked leaders, 5th from 5th, one pace from between last 2, 5th of 18, 9 1/2l behind The Church Gate (11-5) at Thurles 2m 6f hcp sft in Nov.
Charlotte Wells (IRE) 66-1 (10-12) Always towards rear, never a factor, pushed along after 3 out and no extra approaching straight, 7th of 10, 26 1/4l behind Wait Here (10-9) at Limerick 2m sft in Dec.
Frenchfort (IRE) 100-1 (11-12) Always rear, never a factor, detached before halfway, no extra 4 out, tailed off, 10th of 12, dist behind Chris's Dream (11-12) at Limerick 2m 3f mdn sft in Dec.
Hawk Eye Down (IRE) 9-1 (9-13) Tracked leaders, weakened after 4 out, 13th of 23, 34 1/4l behind Glenabo Bridge (10-7) at Navan 2m 6f hcp sft in Dec.
Battling Spirit (IRE) 9-4fav (11-3) Mid-division early, 7th at halfway, soon improved, close up from 3 out, pushed along into straight and on terms, led before last, stayed on well to assert run-in, won at Clonmel 2m 3f hcp Soft - Heavy in Dec beating Ballymadun (11-6) by 4 1/4l, 11 ran.
Danse Away (IRE) 7-1 (11-3) Tracked leaders, headway on inner to dispute lead 3rd, pushed along and headed before 4 out, ridden and no extra after 3 out, 5th of 7, 24 1/2l behind Dromore Lad (11-6) at Limerick 2m 5f hcp sft in Dec.
Dundeedy Lad (FR) 20-1 (10-9) Held up, 10th at 3rd, under pressure 3 out, soon no impression, no extra from before straight, 10th of 14, dist behind Rock On Lilly (10-4) at Clonmel 2m hcp Soft - Heavy in Dec.
West Light 5-1jfav (10-12) Always towards rear, ridden and no impression 3 out, no extra entering straight, 15th of 18, dist behind Turasoir (11-6) at Thurles 2m hcp Yielding in Oct.
Paudi The Punter (IRE) 66-1 (9-10) Tracked leader in 2nd early, 4th at 5th, mistake next, weakened from 5 out, 9th of 11, 36l behind Witness Of Fashion (10-3) at Fairyhouse 2m 5f hcp sft in Nov.
