tracked leaders, soon 4th, pushed along over 3f out, moderate 3rd 2f out, one pace
soon led, pushed along and pressed from over 2f out, appeared to gain upper hand from 1f out, no extra closing stages and headed near line
held up in 5th, pushed along from 3f out, dropped to last from over 1f out, no extra
tracked leaders, took keen hold, soon 3rd, pushed along over 3f out, dropped to 4th and no impression from 2f out
slowly into stride, in rear, pushed along before straight where raced on outer, went moderate 5th and no impression from over 1f out
tracked leader in 2nd, pushed along over 3f out, challenged over 2f out, appeared held from 1f out until kept on well closing stages to lead near line
Bunk Off Early arrives with a penalty for his comfortable victory in a Cork maiden on Saturday when given a fine front-running ride by Billy Lee. He's progressive enough to improve again but takes on stronger opposition and BAIRNS AT BAY (NAP) looks the one to be on. Ger Lyons' filly had signalled an imminent victory when beaten a nose on her return from a long break at Gowran then was a very unlucky loser at Fairyhouse where she got no sort of run. Mcguigan started favourite in that latter event and Jim Bolger's charge had looked a certain future winner when twice runner-up over this track and trip so should carry his big weight into the frame but Valac was behind and looks held. Caution's only victory to date came on fast ground over the course and distance and he's only 1lb higher but Jacobs Well has only run at Dundalk and hasn't been seen since December.
Mcguigan (IRE) 5-2fav (9-5) Tracked leaders, 2nd halfway, ridden over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 6th of 15, 2 3/4l behind Chestnut Fire (9-5) at Fairyhouse 7f mdn Good - Yielding in Sep.
Bunk Off Early (IRE) 11-2 (9-5) Led after 1f, pushed along to assert early straight and 4 lengths clear 2f out, ridden and kept on well from over 1f out, won at Cork 1m mdn Yielding - Soft in Oct beating Rainfall Radar (9-0) by 2 1/4l, 17 ran.
Valac (IRE) 9-2 (9-5) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, ridden and no impression in 6th when checked 1 1/2f out, no extra, 7th of 15, 8 1/4l behind Chestnut Fire (9-5) at Fairyhouse 7f mdn Good - Yielding in Sep.
Bairns At Bay (IRE) 3-1fav (9-0) Led early, tracked leader, 3rd halfway, short of room on inner over 1f out, 4th and kept on one pace final 100 yards, 4th of 15, 2 1/4l behind Chestnut Fire (9-5) at Fairyhouse 7f mdn Good - Yielding in Sep.
Caution (IRE) 20-1 (9-3) Rear of mid-division, improved to 5th halfway, pushed along under 3f out, driven into 4th 1f out, kept on one pace final furlong, 5th of 13, 3 3/4l behind Johann Bach (10-3) at Curragh 1m hcp gd in Oct.
Jacobs Well (IRE) 4-1fav (9-12) Rear of mid-division, ridden entering straight, soon no impression, never a factor, 7th of 11, 4 1/2l behind Lily's Rainbow (9-9) at Dundalk 1m hcp pol in Dec.
