keen hold and tracked leader in 2nd from before 4th, challenging when bad mistake 2 out, soon no impression in 3rd, not fluent last
tracked leader until 3rd from before 4th, improved to challenge between horses and led before 2 out, ridden approaching last where joined, headed run-in and kept on without matching winner closing stages
attempted to make all, headed before 2 out, soon dropped to last and no extra
settled last of the 4, travelling well and left chasing leader from 2 out, on terms last, quickened best to lead and assert run-in, comfortably
There's no doubt Dylan Ross is a very talented hurdler but he's now been outfought three times over timber though to be fair the latest came in Grade 1 company at Leopardstown when touched off by Cash And Go. That's comfortably the best form on view but DISTANT MEMORIES is taken to outpace him. A Listed winner on the Flat for Tom Tate, he made a very impressive debut over timber at Limerick, always travelling well and having something in hand of Page Turner with the remainder out with the washing. Midnight Game did well on the Flat in France and looked a very nice long-term prospect when landing a maiden at Leopardstown while Ludo Et Emergo produced an almighty shock on his racecourse debut at Gowran last month.
Distant Memories (IRE) 8-13fav (11-9) Chased leaders, well off pace, 2nd and closer order 4 out, challenged approaching 2 out where slight mistake, on terms travelling well when not fluent last, eased ahead closing stages, won at Limerick 2m mdn hdl hvy in Dec beating Page Turner (11-5) by 1l, 11 ran.
Dylan Ross (IRE) 8-1 (11-10) Held up in last, 4th 3 out, travelled well into 3rd before last, challenged last, ridden to dispute briefly run-in, no extra close home, 2nd of 5, 1/2l behind Cash And Go (11-7) at Leopardstown 2m nov hdl Grade 1 (1) in Dec.
Ludo Et Emergo (IRE) 50-1 (11-7) Soon led and made virtually all, ridden and strongly pressed from 2 out, kept on well from last, won at Gowran Park 2m 4yo mdn hdl sft in Dec beating Don Leone (11-0) by 2 3/4l, 14 ran.
Midnight Game 11-10fav (11-7) Tracked leaders, 6th halfway, went 3rd 2 out, challenged last, ridden to lead run-in and kept on best under pressure, won at Leopardstown 2m 4yo mdn hdl sft in Dec beating Joxer (11-7) by 1/2l, 16 ran.
