tracked leader in 2nd, improved to lead travelling well 2f out, went well clear 1f out, stayed on strongly final furlong, very easily, impressive
soon tracked leaders in 5th, 4th 6f out, ridden in 3rd under 3f out, soon no impression on leaders, kept on one pace
tracked leaders in 3rd, ridden in 4th entering straight, soon no impression on leaders
soon last, ridden and trailing 6f out, tailed off
led, ridden and headed 2f out, no impression on winner over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, not trouble winner
tracked leaders in 4th, ridden in 5th 6f out, soon trailing, tailed off
AMERICAN MIKE was sold for £195,000 after scoring by 20l on the Cork point-to-point track and made an impressive bumper debut at Down Royal. It will be a surprise if he's beaten though stable companion Harmonya Maker did well to chase home The Model Kingdom here and gets weight from the winners in the line-up. Battling Bessie was a couple of lengths behind in that latter event after overcoming greenness for a battling success at Cork. Gaelic Arc gave notice of better to come when placed at Sligo and duly obliged at Thurles while Hemlock, who had shown some potential for Willie Mullins, has changed stables again after landing a Perth bumper for Robert Widger.
American Mike (IRE) 4-7fav (12-1) Chased leader in 2nd, improved to lead over 2f out and stretched clear inside final furlong, easily, won at Down Royal 2m 1f sft in Oct beating Royal Romeo (12-1) by 7l, 7 ran.
Gaelic Arc (IRE) 3-1 (12-2) Held up towards rear, closer 5f out, 3rd travelling well entering straight, soon pushed along, ridden over 1f out and led over 100 yards out, kept on well, won at Thurles 2m gd in Nov beating Getaway Charlie (12-2) by 1 1/4l, 7 ran.
Hemlock 7-2 (10-9) Close-up on inner, nudged turning for home, pushed to lead 3f out and readily drew clear, comfortably, won at Perth 2m (4) gd in Jun beating Maura Jeanne (10-2) by 3 1/4l, 13 ran.
Craggaunowen (IRE) Califet gelding out of Simply Bellingham.
Battling Bessie 14-1 (11-8) Tracked leaders, ridden in close 7th 2 1/2f out, 3rd and no impression on leaders over 1f out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 12, 3 1/4l behind The Model Kingdom (11-8) at Navan 2m lst (1) gd in Nov.
Hazelhatch Lady (IRE) (11-11) Rr of mid-div, 4th 1/2way, clsr 5out, prog in 3rd bef 2out, eff & kow to 2nd & chall briefly at last, nt mtch wnr, 2nd of 8, 3l behind North Of Nashville (11-11) at Tipperary 3m mdn Good - Yielding in Apr.
Harmonya Maker (FR) 4-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, 3rd 5f out, headway to dispute lead 2 1/2f out, ridden and headed 2f out, 2nd and no impression on winner 1f out, kept on well final furlong, not reach winner, 2nd of 12, 1 1/2l behind The Model Kingdom (11-8) at Navan 2m lst (1) gd in Nov.
