led, headed before 1st, 3rd at 3rd, 4th at 7th, under pressure after 9th, dropped to 5th after 10th, reminder before 3 out, no extra in moderate 4th 3 out
prominent, 4th after 1st, not fluent at 2nd, dropped to rear after 5th, hampered and detached after 8th, progress to 4th after 10th, 3rd after 4 out, no impression before 2 out, kept on same pace run-in
tracked leader, led before 1st, strongly pressed 4 out, headed after 4 out, no impression on leader before 2 out, not fluent last, kept on same pace
soon prominent on outer, 2nd at 3rd, not fluent at 8th and pecked, dropped to 3rd at 9th, under pressure in 4th after 4 out, weakened before 3 out, tailed off
rear, 5th before 6th, mistake and fell at 8th
towards rear, 4th before 6th, improved to 3rd at 7th, headway to 2nd at 9th, challenged leader 4 out, led after 4 out, travelled well and asserted before 2 out, kept on well, easily
DARRENS HOPE, a winning point-to-pointer, bumper and Grade 3 hurdler, has only won once in 11 starts over fences but has been racing in very much stronger company having been placed at Grade 2 level. She ran a fine race in the Killarney National back in May and should be too good for these on her return. Optional Mix also returns from a break but the Thurles winner will need to up her game against the selection while Motown Maggie faces a stiff task on her chasing bow. Elite Des Mottes was still in touch when falling four out on her debut over fences at Sligo last week when Hope Des Blins was beaten a long way into third. I'll Be That Lady is 1-13 over fences and Influential Lady looks to have more of a chance after a good run in a Ballinrobe handicap.
Darrens Hope (IRE) 5-1 (11-4) Led or disputed lead, headed briefly after 3rd and 5 out, ridden and led after 2 out, headed run-in, no impression on winner, 2nd of 10, 2 1/2l behind Recite A Prayer (11-6) at Killarney 3m 2f hcp gd in May.
Influential Lady (IRE) 4-1fav (10-4) Mid-division well off pace, 7th halfway, moderate 4th 3 out, 2nd after 2 out and closer when not fluent last, ridden and no impression on winner run-in, kept on one pace, 2nd of 10, 9 1/2l behind Kitty Galore (10-5) at Ballinrobe 2m 6f hcp gd in Sep.
Optional Mix (IRE) 4-1 (11-11) Led, ridden and headed after 2 out, soon dropped to 4th, no impression run-in, 4th of 16, 14 1/4l behind Gotthenod (11-1) at Kilbeggan 2m 3f hcp Good - Yielding in Apr.
Elite Des Mottes (FR) 33-1 (11-7) Mid-division, 6th halfway, 5th when fell 4 out, at Sligo 2m 1f Good - Yielding in Sep.
Hope Des Blins (FR) 14-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, closer 4 out, pushed along after 2 out and no impression when hampered and left 3rd at last, ridden and kept on one pace, 3rd of 10, 15 1/2l behind Faith Du Val (11-7) at Sligo 2m 1f Good - Yielding in Sep.
Motown Maggie (IRE) 13-2 (11-3) Rear of mid-division and well off pace, moderate 6th 3 out, pushed along and no impression after 2 out, kept on one pace run-in, 5th of 10, 25l behind Kitty Galore (10-5) at Ballinrobe 2m 6f hcp gd in Sep.
I'll Be That Lady (IRE) 13-2 (11-9) Tracked leader, challenged leader 3 out, led narrowly before 2 out where not fluent, headed and ridden after 2 out, bumped rival before last where dropped to 3rd, no extra closing stages, 3rd of 6, 4 1/4l behind Coole Arcade (11-6) at Wexford 2m hcp gd in Aug.
