always behind, no impression from 4f out, never a factor
led, clear after 4f, well clear 5f out, reduced advantage entering straight, ridden and headed 2 1/2f out, soon no impression on leaders
tracked leaders, disputed moderate 2nd after 4f, closer 2nd entering straight, improved to lead 2 1/2f out, soon pushed along, ridden and stayed on well final furlong, comfortably
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
always behind, no impression from 4f out, never a factor
tracked leaders, moderate 4th before halfway, ridden in closer 3rd under 3f out, soon no impression on leaders, kept on one pace final furlong
tracked leaders, disputed moderate 2nd after 4f, ridden in 3rd entering straight, soon weakened
ENVOI ALLEN went for £400,000 at the sales after landing a point at Ballinaboola in February and started to repay some of the outlay when landing a Fairyhouse bumper a fortnight ago. He'll be a warm order here though isn't certain to have things his own way against Well Set Up. Mark Fahey's charge was a 20/1 chance when beating Thursday's hurdles winner Harrie by 11 lengths at Down Royal in January and, in receipt of 4lb, an upset could be on the cards. Midnight Run was also an impressive bumper winner at Galway so has to be considered but Pakens Rock looked more of a staying type when scoring over 2m4f at Thurles and, along with dual winner Batcio, has plenty to do at the weights.
Batcio (FR) 5-1 (11-12) Prominent, close up from 4th, ridden in 3rd 2 out, no extra in 4th before last, 6th of 21, 25 3/4l behind Daly Tiger (11-12) at Punchestown 2m mdn gd in Nov.
Pakens Rock (IRE) 4-1 (12-0) Made all, still travelling smoothly straight, went on from under 2f out, stayed on well final furlong, comfortably, won at Thurles 2m 4f gd in Nov beating Extrapolate (12-0) by 6 1/2l, 6 ran.
Envoi Allen (FR) 4-9fav (11-9) Towards rear, headway on outer 4f out, reminder in 6th entering straight, soon pushed along, headway to lead 1f out, stayed on well under hands and heels final furlong, comfortably, won at Fairyhouse 2m gd in Dec beating Port Stanley (11-9) by 4l, 14 ran.
Midnight Run (IRE) 7-2 (11-7) Mid-division on inner and 6th from halfway, took closer order to track leaders from 4f out, pushed along and good progress on outer from 2f out, led from over 1f out, ridden and extended advantage inside final furlong, comfortably, won at Galway 2m 1f Yielding in Oct beating Poker D'Ainay (11-7) by 5 1/2l, 11 ran.
Rippon Lodge (IRE) 20-1 (12-0) Waited with in rear, some headway from before halfway, soon 4th, pushed along into straight, soon 3rd and kept on same pace from 2f out, 3rd of 5, 15 3/4l behind Westport Lady (11-7) at Thurles 2m gf in Nov.
Run Wild Fred (IRE) 5-2 (11-11) Mid-div & ww, gng well frm 6out, prog bef 3out & 3rd aftr 3out, mstk in 2nd 2out, ld early flat, ko, won at Dawstown 3m mdn gs in May beating Easyrun De Vassy (11-11) by hd, 12 ran.
Well Set Up (IRE) 20-1 (11-5) Held up towards rear, pushed along in 6th over 3f out, headway between horses 2f out and soon led, ridden to assert and clear 1f out, stayed on well inside final furlong, won at Down Royal 2m hvy in Jan beating Harrie (12-0) by 11l, 9 ran.
