tracked leader, pushed along from 4f out, effort straight, 2nd and one pace inside final furlong
waited with, in touch in rear, closed on outer straight, led from 2f out, edged left over 1f out, soon asserted, pushed out and stayed on well
tracked leaders in 3rd, a little keen, closed on inner straight, challenged under 2f out, 3rd and one pace inside final furlong
led, a little keen, headed from 2f out, soon dropped to rear and briefly tight for room, no extra from over 1f out, one pace
Column Of Fire reverts to a bumper after two runs over hurdles. He won a decent bumper at Navan in November and is certain to go well while his stable companion Easywork has a cracking pedigree and it wouldn't be a shock to see him win first time out. Ballyrig was a 25/1 chance on his debut at Down Royal but belied his odds in what looked a better than average contest. Whatsnotoknow was well beaten at Gowran last month but had attracted good support so better was obviously expected. MIDNIGHT RUN made a successful debut at Galway in a race that has worked out then ran second to the very well regarded Envoi Allen at Navan, form that should be good enough for this.
Column Of Fire (IRE) 13-8fav (11-8) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, pushed along after 2 out and no impression in 3rd when brought down at last, at Fairyhouse 2m 4f mdn Good - Yielding in Dec.
Midnight Run (IRE) 7-1 (11-8) Tracked leaders in 5th, moderate 5th before halfway, headway into 2nd under 2f out, soon ridden, kept on same pace without troubling winner inside final furlong, 2nd of 7, 4 3/4l behind Envoi Allen (11-8) at Navan 2m lst (1) Yielding in Dec.
Easywork (FR) Network gelding out of Rivabella De Saisy.
Whatsnotoknow (IRE) 4-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, headway on inner entering straight, soon pushed along and no impression under 2f out, no extra from over 1f out, 4th of 7, 30 1/2l behind Blue Sari (11-7) at Gowran Park 2m sft in Jan.
Ballylig (IRE) 25-1 (12-0) Led and disputed, headed after 3f, 2nd halfway, challenged 2f out, ridden in 3rd and no impression over 1f out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 9, 10 3/4l behind Andy Dufresne (11-12) at Down Royal 2m Yielding in Jan.
