made all, pressed 3 1/2f out, asserted 1 1/2f out, soon clear, shaken up briefly inside final furlong, easily
chased leaders, 3rd early, improved into 2nd halfway, challenged 3 1/2f out, ridden in 2nd 2f out, no impression on leader 1 1/2f out, 3rd 1f out, kept on same pace
held up in 4th, ridden and no impression over 2f out, kept on one pace
chased leader in 2nd early, 3rd halfway, pushed along 4f out, ridden 3f out, stayed on into 2nd 1f out, no impression on winner, kept on same pace
held up in rear, ridden and no impression 3f out, weakened over 2f out
Winning point-to-pointer ESKYLANE made a very encouraging bumper debut in what looked a strong race at Fairyhouse in November. He couldn't quite concede Assemble 7lb but should go one better. The winner's yard is represented by Battle Of Actium, another winner between the flags and by no means disgraced in a hot Punchestown bumper in November. Don't Tell Allen is a half-brother to the smart bumper/hurdler Next Destination and is an obvious one to watch out for given his connections.
Eskylane (IRE) 5-2 (12-0) A little keen, waited with towards rear, closed from before halfway, on terms into straight travelling smoothly, led from 1 1/2f out and ridden, kept on well inside final furlong, headed near line, 2nd of 9, hd behind Assemble (12-0) at Fairyhouse 2m sft in Nov.
Battle Of Actium (IRE) 7-2 (11-0) Rear of mid-division, 6th halfway, 5th over 3f out, ridden in 4th over 1f out, no extra under 1f out, 5th of 9, 9l behind Dewcup (11-7) at Punchestown 2m sft in Nov.
Bulldoze (IRE) 20-1 (11-4) Prominent, 2nd approaching halfway, pushed along over 4f out, weakened from before straight, 13th of 19, dist behind Festival D'ex (11-4) at Punchestown 2m Yielding in Apr.
Don't Tell Allen (IRE) Presenting gelding out of Liss Alainn.
Thirtyfourstitches (IRE) 20-1 (11-11) Waited with in rear, closed from 6f out, pushed along briefly 5f out, pushed along again approaching straight, soon one pace, 7th of 9, 23l behind Lieutenant Command (12-0) at Limerick 2m hvy in Dec.
