chased leaders, closer in 2nd 3 out, no impression from next
towards rear, some headway in moderate 7th when mistake and unseated rider 4 out
towards rear, hit 5th, slight mistake 7th, tailed off from before 5 out and pulled up before 4 out
prominent when slow jump 2nd, chased leaders, closer in 3rd 3 out, no impression from 2 out
chased leaders, slight mistake 7th, closer in 4th 3 out, ridden in 2nd and challenged briefly between last 2, no impression and kept on same pace from before last
led, joined from 7th, headed 9th, close 5th 3 out, mistake next, soon no impression
tracked leader, on terms from 7th, led 9th, briefly pressed between last 2, clear from before last, ridden out briefly to assert run-in
mid-division, slight mistake 7th, closer order when slow jump 4 out, 6th 3 out, not fluent next, no extra
in rear, bad peck 8th, no extra and behind from before 5 out, completely tailed off
WINGTIPS had had 10 starts over hurdles, mainly at the highest level, culminating in a placed effort behind Champagne Fever in the Grade 1 Deloitte at Leopardstown in February. He's not particularly bred for chasing but it will be a disappointment if he doesn't go well and he's given the nod. Sizing Gold's victory over the useful Morning Assembly at Leopardstown suggests he'll make his mark over fences, a remark that also applies to Folsom Blue, runner-up in a Grade 2 at Thurles last March. Operating looks best of those with experience over fences having run well behind useful winners on his last two starts.
All Day Long (IRE) 20-1 (11-11) Soon behind towards rear, moderate 8th 6 out, pushed along and no danger next, kept on, 5th of 10, 47l behind Ballyburke (11-12) at Cork 2m 5f beg chs sft in Nov.
By Design (IRE) 6-4fav (11-7) Led, jumped poorly, hung left to outer 3rd, joined briefly next, slow jump 7th and quickly headed, slow jump again 3 out, soon under pressure in poor 3rd, behind from 2 out, 5th of 6, well behind Send For Paddy (11-7) at Downpatrick 2m 5f hts chs gd in Apr.
Finite Destination (IRE) 14-1 (11-11) Keen hold, prominent, 2nd 5 out, no extra and hampered 2 out, kept on same pace, 4th of 16, 16l behind Count Salazar (11-7) at Limerick 2m 6f hts chs hvy in Dec '11.
Folsom Blue (IRE) 25-1 (11-6) Chased leader in 4th, went 3rd 3 out, ridden next and no extra in 7th approaching last, 7th of 10, 22l behind Monksland (11-8) at Leopardstown 3m hdl G2 (1) sft in Dec '12.
Mullaghanoe River (IRE) 10-1 (11-11) Tracked leaders, mistake 6 out, 3rd 4 out, soon ridden, weakened before straight, 7th of 17, 26l behind Foxrock (11-11) at Fairyhouse 2m 5f beg chs in Nov.
Operating (IRE) 6-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, 2nd 4 out, improved to lead and ridden 2 out, headed approaching last, 4th at last, no extra run-in, 4th of 17, 4 1/2l behind Foxrock (11-11) at Fairyhouse 2m 5f beg chs in Nov.
Sizing Gold (IRE) 6-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, moderate 3rd 4 out, soon ridden, weakened before straight, 5th of 10, 45l behind Mala Beach (11-4) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f nov hdl G2 (1) sft in Mar.
Wingtips (FR) 14-1 (11-9) Settled in rear, 5th when slight mistake 2 out, went 3rd but no impression on first 2 early straight, kept on one pace, 3rd of 8, 15l behind Champagne Fever (11-10) at Leopardstown 2m 2f nov hdl G2 (1) sft in Feb.
Better Hand (IRE) 66-1 (11-0) Rear of mid-division, never a factor, tailed off,, 13th of 16, well behind Trifolium (11-12) at Thurles 2m 2f beg chs in Nov.
Finisterre 66-1 (11-12) Soon in rear, no danger when fell 4 out,, in a race won by Golanbrook (11-12) at Clonmel 2m 3f beg chs gd, 6 ran.
