tracked leaders disputing 3rd, ridden in 4th 2 out, soon dropped to last, trailing before last, weakened, tailed off
tracked leader in 2nd, led 2 out, soon ridden, headed before last, 3rd and slight mistake at last, soon no impression in 4th
in touch in last, pushed along and headway into 2nd before last, ridden to dispute lead briefly after last, headed inside final furlong, kept on same pace
tracked leaders disputing 3rd, pushed along and led before last, ridden and joined after last, rallied to regain lead inside final furlong, stayed on well
led, pushed along when mistake and headed 2 out, soon ridden, 4th approaching last, regained 3rd inside final furlong, kept on without threatening leaders
Jack Kennedy chooses Stellar Story over Better Days Ahead which isn't surprising given the manner of his hurdling debut success on testing ground over the course and distance where he made most and outstayed his rivals. The latter was a long odds-on chance when making all in a Fairyhouse maiden where he won very easily. Lecky Watson looked in need of every yard of 2m7f when scrambling home at Thurles though a better round of jumping should see him in the firing-line. SLADE STEEL (NAP), a winning point-to-pointer and bumper, had King Of Kingsfield over five lengths behind when scoring over 2m at Naas and the latter was a close second in the Grade 1 Royal Bond on Sunday. Henry De Bromhead's charge should be even better suited by this trip and gets the nod.
Ballystone (IRE) 9-1 (11-0) Tracked leader, not fluent at 4th, 2nd before 6th, 3rd 4 out, lost place and dropped to rear before 2 out, weakened quickly after 2 out, tailed off, 5th of 6, dist behind Croke Park (11-0) at Navan 2m 4f (1) Soft - Heavy in Nov.
Better Days Ahead (IRE) 2-9fav (11-12) Made all, pushed along and went clear from 2 out, stayed on strongly run-in, easily, won at Fairyhouse 2m 7f mdn Soft - Heavy in Nov beating Metalor (11-4) by 11l, 7 ran.
Lecky Watson (IRE) 4-7fav (11-4) Chased leader, 2nd halfway, 3rd 3 out, disputed on outer entering straight, ridden in 3rd approaching last, led over 150 yards out, kept on well, all out, won at Thurles 2m 7f mdn sft in Nov beating Rushmount (11-4) by nk, 9 ran.
Slade Steel (IRE) 10-3 (11-12) Close up, 4th after 4th, progress in 3rd after 3 out, not fluent 2 out, soon closed, led narrowly last, ran on well run-in, won at Naas 2m mdn sft in Nov beating King Of Kingsfield (11-12) by 5 1/2l, 22 ran.
Stellar Story (IRE) 4-7fav (11-12) Led, pecked slightly 4 out and joined, pushed along and led again after 2 out, asserted before last and kept on well run-in, won at Navan 2m 4f mdn Soft - Heavy in Nov beating Largy Hill (11-12) by 4 3/4l, 16 ran.
