led, clear after 2nd, ridden and headed approaching 3 out, 4th and no extra from 2 out
held up in rear, took keen hold, headway after 8th, went 3rd from 2 out, no chance with winner when pressing for 2nd last, one pace
chased leaders, ridden and lost place after 6th, weakened approaching 3 out
chased leaders, went 2nd after 7th until before 8th, weakened before 3 out, bad mistake last, tailed off
tracked leader, jumped left 3rd, lost 2nd after 6th, weakened well before 3 out, tailed off
held up in mid-division, headway approaching 7th, went 2nd next, led before 3 out, clear 2 out, easily
mid-division, headway after 8th, went 2nd when mistake 2 out, no chance with winner, stayed on same pace
held up in rear, struggling after 8th, soon lost touch, tailed off
Dual bumper winner Vinnie My Boy will be all the better for his run behind Kayserberg at Kempton and could figure here. Thurles second Admiral Hawke has to go on the short-list while Definite Dream was third at Carlisle on his hurdles bow and is another open to improvement. So is RETURN SPRING, who was definitely thrown in at the deep end over timber in the Persian War at Chepstow. Not surprisingly, he never figured in that Grade 2 but lessons will have been learned that day and the five-year-old can open his account over timber in this less exalted company. In The Dock appears to be improving with experience and could also play a part.
Admiral Hawke (IRE) 8-1 (10-13) Always prominent, struggling when hampered 2 out, soon no impression, kept on same pace, 2nd of 16, 17l behind Home Farm (11-4) at Thurles 2m 2f Maiden Hurdle (5-6yo).
Definite Dream (IRE) 11-4 (10-12) Held up mid-division, went 3rd after 3rd, outpaced 3 out, headway before 2 out, kept on same pace and no impression, 3rd of 7, 12l behind Morning Royalty (10-12) at Carlisle 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) sft.
Harris (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, lost place 5f out, weakened over 2f out, tailed off, 9th of 10, well behind Killala Quay (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m NH flat (6) gd in May.
In The Dock (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) Held up in last pair, headway after 7th, went 4th 4 out, stayed on same pace from next, 4th of 7, 10l behind Shotgun Paddy (11-0) at Chepstow 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) sft.
My Lad Percy 20-1 (10-7) Tracked leaders, not fluent 2nd or when weakening 6th, tailed off, 8th of 9, well behind At Fishers Cross (10-12) at Ffos Las 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft.
Return Spring (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) Soon held up off the pace in 6th, pushed along and struggling before 4 out, 8th of 9, 47l behind Wonderful Charm (11-7) at Chepstow 2m 4f nov hdl G2 (1) gs in Oct.
Third Of The Third 8-1 (11-4) With leader, lost place over 3f out, kept on same pace, 4th of 7, 15l behind Spirit Of Shankly (11-2) at Market Rasen 2m 1f cond NH flat (6) gd in Sep.
Vinnie My Boy (IRE) 9-1 (10-12) Keen close up, jumped left 2nd, weakened after 4 out, 9th of 11, well behind Kaysersberg (10-9) at Kempton 2m 5f nov hdl (4) gs.
