mid-division, 8th halfway, dropped towards rear from 2f out and no impression from 1f out
slightly slow away, race in mid-division and 7th halfway, ridden on outer over 2f out, no impression and dropped towards rear from 1f out
towards rear, 9th halfway, pushed along over 3f out and ridden over 2f out, short of room 1 1/2f out, kept on well into never nearer 6th inside final furlong
mid-division early before soon improving to chase leader, 2nd halfway, improved to challenge from 2f out and soon on terms, ridden and headed over 1f out, hampered inside final furlong and no extra close home
briefly led early before settling behind the leaders, dropped to 6th halfway, ridden over 2f out and soon switched to outer, 5th 1f out and kept on strongly inside final furlong, just failed
mid-division, 5th halfway, improved into 3rd over 2f out and soon ridden, 4th 1f out and kept on well inside final furlong, just failed
soon led, pushed along and pressed over 2f out, soon joined, ridden and regained lead over 1f out, headed inside final 100 yards, no extra and dropped to 4th close home
towards rear, 11th halfway, ridden from 2f out, went 7th 1f out and kept on same pace inside final furlong
raced keenly towards rear, 10th halfway, improved into 6th 2f out and ridden over 1f out, kept on well inside final furlong, never nearer
slightly slow away and raced in rear, ridden from 2f out and went 8th 1f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong
led early before settling in 2nd, 3rd halfway, switched to outer and ridden over 2f out, drifted left and kept on well to lead inside final 100 yards, strongly pressed close home and just held on
mid-division, improved into 4th halfway, ridden over 2f out and weakened from over 1f out
Noble Inn reverted from hurdles to land a Curragh handicap in impressive style and though 13lb higher is still greatly respected. After a successful debut, Sandro Botticelli finished last of three at Fairyhouse in May and hasn't been seen since. That wasn't his form and much better is expected while Hudson's Bay was impressive when landing a strong handicap at Fairyhouse and a 5lb rise shouldn't pose too much of a problem. Stuccador is a class act though is best on ground with some give so a chance is taken with ROBERTSTOWN, who was impressive when scoring at Listowel and may not be on such a mark again.
Stuccodor (IRE) 8-11fav (11-12) Settled 3rd, progress to 2nd after 3 out, almost on terms 2 out, soon ridden, dropped to 3rd before last, kept on one pace, 3rd of 12, 8 3/4l behind Baily Cloud (11-12) at Gowran Park 2m mdn gd in Oct.
Hudson's Bay (IRE) 10-1 (9-6) Rear of mid-division, 11th halfway, progress on inner in straight and ridden to lead 1f out, kept on well inside final furlong, won at Fairyhouse 1m 4f hcp Good - Yielding in Sep beating Glassatura (8-8) by 1 3/4l, 15 ran.
Ancient Sands (IRE) 20-1 (9-8) Mid-division, 11th halfway, 12th 6f out, 14th 3f out, soon driven, no impression leaders, 11th 1f out, kept on same pace, 10th of 20, 5 1/4l behind Digeanta (9-10) at Curragh 2m hcp gd in Oct.
Moonmeister (IRE) 20-1 (11-1) Raced 5th, pushed along to go 4th after 2 out, soon no impression on first 2, kept on one pace, 4th of 6, 21 3/4l behind Bachasson (11-4) at Tipperary 2m (1) gd in Oct.
Macnicholson (IRE) 13-2 (9-6) Towards rear early, progress on outer after 2f and 3rd halfway, pushed along in 4th entering straight, no impression in 6th 1f out, kept on one pace, 7th of 15, 4 1/2l behind Hudson's Bay (9-6) at Fairyhouse 1m 4f hcp Good - Yielding in Sep.
Noble Inn (FR) 4-1fav (10-12) Chased leaders early, soon settled mid-division, ridden and progress on outer 2f out, soon 3rd, stayed on to lead 1f out, kept on strongly to go clear inside final furlong, won at Curragh 1m 4f hcp gd in Sep beating Hurricane Sky (11-7) by 4 1/2l, 17 ran.
Xebec (USA) 7-1 (9-1) Made all, strongly pressed over 1f out, under pressure and kept on well inside final furlong, won at Killarney 1m 3f hcp gd in Aug beating Here For The Craic (9-5) by 1/2l, 10 ran.
Won Diamond 10-1 (9-10) Always towards rear, no impression from 3f out, never a factor, 10th of 14, 3 1/4l behind Eric The Grey (9-1) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp pol in Oct.
Stronger Than Me (IRE) 9-1 (9-12) Soon mid-division, took keen hold, 10th approaching halfway, headway to chase leaders 1f out but no impression, kept on final furlong, 6th of 17, 2 1/4l behind Dew Line (8-10) at Navan 1m 2f hcp gd in Oct.
He's Our Man (IRE) 8-1 (10-13) Held up towards rear, progress on outer 3 out, 6th 2 out, ridden and no impression approaching last, under pressure and kept on one pace into 3rd run-in, 3rd of 20, 4 1/2l behind Phil The Flyer (11-7) at Tipperary 2m hcp gd in Oct.
Robertstown (IRE) 10-1 (9-5) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, ridden and progress on outer to go 2nd 1 1/2f out, challenged 1f out and kept on well to lead final 100 yards, won at Listowel 1m 4f mdn Soft - Heavy in Sep beating Swamp Fox (9-5) by 1/2l, 10 ran.
To Choose (IRE) 13-2 (9-2) Soon chased leaders, 8th approaching halfway, pushed along from early straight, moderate 4th 1f out, kept on final furlong, 3rd of 17, 1 1/4l behind Dew Line (8-10) at Navan 1m 2f hcp gd in Oct.
Sandro Botticelli (IRE) 4-6fav (9-6) Tracked leader, 2nd halfway, pushed along entering straight, no impression in 3rd over 1f out, kept on one pace, last of 3, 6 1/4l behind Buenos Y Bobos (9-2) at Fairyhouse 1m 2f gd in May.
