soon led, joined approaching 4th, soon headed and disputed lead at times after, led again into straight, went on before last where slight mistake, stayed on well run-in, comfortably
a little slow at 1st, soon tracked leaders, 4th from 5th, pushed along to challenge approaching straight, no impression from 2 out, soon no extra
prominent, on terms before 1st where slowed up slightly, soon headed, tended to race towards inner, 5th from 5th, slight mistake 4 out, pushed along before straight and effort, one pace from before last
waited with in rear, tended to race towards inner, closed up before straight, soon challenged and every chance, one pace from before last
soon tracked leaders, 3rd from 5th, pushed along approaching straight, switched right approaching 2 out, chased winner run-in and kept on same pace
led early, slowed up before 1st and joined, soon headed, on terms approaching 4th, led and disputed after, headed into straight, dropped to last before 2 out, soon no extra
Bajan Excell landed a course and distance maiden on testing ground and didn't quite get the run of the race on his handicap debut at Thurles. Politicise just failed to get past Instant Return in a Punchestown maiden a couple of weeks ago though a probable winner fell at the second last. He makes his handicap debut as does Cafe Con Leche, 7l behind Bajan Excell here last month but slightly disappointing at Thurles later. NOBEL JOSHUA showed his first sign of ability over hurdles on his handicap debut at Punchestown where he stayed on strongly in the straight. This is a bit tougher but further progress can see him go close.
Bajan Excell (IRE) 6-1 (9-10) Towards rear, 6th halfway, closer after 3 out, left 4th and badly hampered next, pushed along and no impression approaching last, went moderate 3rd early run-in, kept on well closing stages, 3rd of 7, 4 1/4l behind Pakens Rock (11-9) at Thurles 2m hcp Yielding in Jan.
Politicise (IRE) 9-2 (11-4) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, improved to challenge 3 out, soon disputed, left disputing and ridden 2 out, narrowly headed run-in, kept on, 2nd of 13, nk behind Instant Return (11-4) at Punchestown 2m mdn Soft - Heavy in Jan.
Cafe Con Leche (IRE) 9-4 (11-7) Mid-division and 6th halfway, mistake 5th, headway approaching straight and 4th 2 out, pushed along in 2nd before last where slight mistake, no extra run-in, 3rd of 11, 9 1/4l behind Tronador (11-7) at Thurles 2m mdn Yielding in Jan.
Fassbender (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) Soon led, increased advantage after 3rd, clear at 5th, reduced advantage 3 out, headed and weakened quickly before 2 out, tailed off, 10th of 18, dist behind Sacchoandvanzetti (11-0) at Galway 2m mdn sft in Oct.
Nobel Joshua (AUT) 9-1 (10-3) Held up, slow 2nd, towards rear halfway, ridden 3 out, moderate 9th entering straight, kept on one pace from last, 5th of 15, 9 1/4l behind Sean Says (10-3) at Punchestown 2m hcp Soft - Heavy in Jan.
Pretty Fantasy (IRE) 100-1 (10-11) Held up, towards rear halfway, ridden and no impression before 2 out, moderate 5th entering straight, kept on one pace, 6th of 13, 19 1/4l behind Instant Return (11-4) at Punchestown 2m mdn Soft - Heavy in Jan.
