held up in rear, ridden in 5th 3 out, no impression in 4th 2 out, kept on one pace
led, disputed briefly halfway, ridden and challenged 3 out, soon headed, no extra in 3rd 2 out, kept on same pace
held up in 5th, ridden in 4th 3 out, soon no extra and weakened
pressed leader in 2nd, disputed briefly halfway, ridden and weakened entering straight
settled 4th, improved in 3rd 3 out, travelled well to lead 2 out, kept on strongly from before last, easily
chased leaders in 3rd, improved to challenge 3 out, soon ridden to lead, headed 2 out, no extra, kept on same pace
Fully Funded and Sweet Shock will no doubt attempt to test the mettle of HIDDEN CYCLONE here as Shark Hanlon's charge is facing this trip for the first time. He didn't have much to do to land a Grade 3 over two miles here last time but did it with authority and his trainer believes he will be even better over this extra half-mile. Fully Funded has made rapid progress and made most for a Grade 2 victory over the C&D last month where he battled on stoutly after being headed two out. Aughnacurraveel, who started a short-priced favourite that day on his hat-trick attempt, couldn't go with the pace and looks held. The winner will make a bold bid as will Sweet Shock, though he'll need to improve again after scrambling home at Naas.
Aughnacurraveel (IRE) 11-8fav (11-3) Tracked leader, 2nd halfway racing keenly, 3rd 4 out, ridden and dropped to 4th before 2 out, no impression and kept on onepaced from before last, 4th of 7, 8l behind Fully Funded (11-3) at Navan 2m 4f nov hdl G2 (1) sft in Nov.
Fully Funded (USA) 6-1 (11-3) Led, soon clear until reduced advantage from 4th, strongly pressed and headed before 2 out where slight mistake, rallied under pressure to lead at last, stayed on well to draw clear run-in, won at Navan 2m 4f nov hdl G2 (1) sft in Nov beating Gift Of Dgab (11-3) by 4 1/2l, 7 ran.
He's Our Man (IRE) 7-1 (11-7) Always prominent, 4th halfway, improved into 2nd 3 out, soon ridden to challenge on inner, 3rd before last, soon no extra, 4th of 25, 4l behind Medical Card (11-12) at Naas 2m 3f mdn hdl sft in Nov.
Imperial Shabra (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) Disputed lead to 3 out, headed and weakened quickly entering straight, 14th of 25, 34l behind Dolphin Bay (11-2) at Naas 2m hcp hdl 8Evens23 sft in Nov.
Oscars Well (IRE) 5-2fav (11-12) In touch, 6th halfway, headway into 2nd 3 out, led next, soon drew clear, stayed on well, not extended, very easily, won at Punchestown 2m 4f mdn hdl sft in Nov beating Red Tiger (11-12) by 9l, 14 ran.
Sweet Shock (GER) 4-1fav (10-6) Soon mid-division, progress from before 4 out, soon tracking leaders, challenged and disputed lead from 2 out, led under pressure run-in, stayed on well, just held on, won at Naas 2m 4f hcp hdl sft in Oct beating Dancing Tornado (11-5) by shd, 14 ran.
Hidden Cyclone (IRE) 13-8fav (11-1) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, improved to challenge 3 out, led travelling well before 2 out, slight mistake 2 out, ridden before last, kept on strongly, comfortably, won at Navan 2m nov hdl Grd 3 (1) sft in Nov beating Hazeymm (11-5) by 6l, 8 ran.
