held up in last, badly hampered 4 out, soon no impression
chased leader in 2nd, ridden before 2 out, no extra and kept on same pace from before last
made all, ridden and kept on well from before last
settled behind leaders, 4th halfway, headway into 3rd 4 out, ridden before 2 out, no extra before last, kept on same pace
chased leader in 3rd, pushed along in 4th 4 out, ridden and no extra next, kept on same pace
settled behind leaders, 5th halfway, fell 4 out
A fine entry for this Grade 2 with all six runners arriving in good form and capable of winning. BISHOPSFURZE produced an impressive performance to beat Changing Times on his hurdling bow at Cork and finished a long way in front of stablemate Gagewell Flyer, a subsequent debut winner over timber at Navan, when he landed a Punchestown bumper in April. Fists Of Fury found three miles and Mossey Joe too much when runner-up in a Grade 3 at Cork but there was no disgrace in that while Pineau De Re had some useful performers behind when runner-up to Zaidpour in the Grade 1 Royal Bond at Fairyhouse. Both Sizing Mexico and Si C'Etait Vrai are winners between the flags and have shown very progressive form over timber, suggesting they will not be out of place in this strong line-up.
Bishopsfurze (IRE) 11-10fav (11-12) Close up on outer, 4th halfway, led travelling well 3 out, stayed on well, not extended, easily, won at Cork 2m mdn hdl sft in Dec beating Changing Times (11-2) by 3l, 14 ran.
Fists Of Fury (IRE) 9-2 (11-0) Close up in 2nd, challenged 3 out, soon ridden and no impression, kept on same pace from 2 out, 2nd of 6, 9l behind Mossey Joe (11-0) at Cork 3m nov hdl Grd 3 (1) sft in Dec.
Gagewell Flyer (IRE) 4-1 (11-12) Made all, soon clear, reduced advantage before halfway, drew clear again after 3 out, not fluent last, stayed on well, won at Navan 2m mdn hdl sft in Nov beating Buck Barrow (11-12) by 4l, 17 ran.
Pineau De Re (FR) 14-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden from 3 out, challenging at next when mistake, kept on one pace under pressure to go moderate 2nd run-in, 2nd of 6, 12l behind Zaidpour (11-7) at Fairyhouse 2m nov hdl Grade 1 (1) sft in Dec.
Sizing Mexico (IRE) 4-6fav (11-3) Tracked leaders, closer in 2nd before 4 out, led before 3 out, ridden into straight, joined 2 out, stayed on well to go clear from before last, comfortably, won at Thurles 2m 6f nov hdl in Nov beating Gran Torino (11-10) by 6l, 8 ran.
Si C'etait Vrai (FR) 15-8fav (11-7) Chased leaders, closed before straight, challenged travelling well 2 out, led approaching last, stayed on well under pressure run-in, won at Naas 2m 4yo mdn hdl sft in Oct beating The Bull Hayes (11-7) by 1 1/2l, 22 ran.
