held up in touch disputing 5th, ridden 3 out, went close 2nd 2 out, dropped to 4th before last, no impression
tracked leaders disputing 3rd, ridden after 3 out, 4th 2 out, no impression
held up in touch disputing 5th, progress on outer 3 out, ridden in 3rd 2 out, soon no impression on leaders
disputed lead, jumped left and bumped rival at 1st, jumped right at 5th, ridden and narrow lead after 3 out, went clear at last, stayed on well run-in
disputed lead, bumped at 1st, ridden and headed 3 out, soon no impression on leaders
tracked leaders disputing 3rd, ridden after 3 out, went 2nd before last and no impression on winner, kept on well close home, not reach winner
Gordon Elliott has won four of the last five of these and holds a very strong hand. Ginto, a €470,000 purchase after an impressive victory between the flags, won a bumper here in February and made all for an easy victory on his hurdles debut on a return visit two weeks ago. There'll be more to come from him in time though another hugely expensive buy, his stablemate HOLLOW GAMES, looks the one to beat. He was also impressive on his debut over timber at Down Royal after two bumper victories and can remain unbeaten. Lunar Display finished second at the Curragh after landing a Wexford maiden hurdle but has more to do as have Barnacullia and the returning Wowsham.
Ferdia (IRE) 50-1 (11-7) Held up in touch in last, slight mistake 3rd and reminder, became detached at halfway, ridden 3 out, went moderate 4th and left 3rd at last, kept on one pace, 3rd of 7, 11l behind My Mate Mozzie (11-3) at Navan 2m (1) gd in Nov.
The Little Yank (IRE) 13-2 (11-1) Rear of mid-division, 6th after 6th, progress after 7th, improved to 2nd after 3 out, mistake in 3rd 2 out, soon not recover in 4th and weakened, 8th of 13, dist behind Jiving Jerry (9-13) at Galway 2m 6f hcp sft in Oct.
Barnacullia (IRE) 10-3 (11-9) Chased leader, 6th before 7th, progress to 4th before 4 out, improved to 2nd before 2 out, led after 2 out, pressed and ridden run-in, kept on well, won at Wexford 2m hvy in Oct beating Mc Alpine (11-2) by 3l, 10 ran.
Hollow Games (IRE) 1-9fav (12-0) Disputed lead early, headed at 3rd, 2nd at halfway, disputed lead again 4 out, led travelling well 3 out, pushed along and pressed 2 out, stayed on well under hands and heels run-in, comfortably, won at Down Royal 2m 6f mdn sft in Oct beating Ailie Rose (11-7) by 6 1/2l, 7 ran.
Wowsham (IRE) 11-8 (11-4) Tracked leader, ridden to chase leader approaching 3 out, made strong challenge 2 out, disputed lead last, soon led and stayed on strongly to draw clear run-in, won at Perth 2m 4f mdn (4) gs in May beating Soivegotachance (11-4) by 6l, 13 ran.
Lunar Display (IRE) 8-11fav (12-0) Soon tracked leaders, 5th halfway, closed up travelling smoothly over 3f out, led straight, joined from 2f out, headed over 1f out, no extra and one pace inside final furlong, 2nd of 12, 4 1/2l behind Sean Says (11-11) at Curragh 1m 4f Yielding - Soft in Oct.
Ginto (FR) 3-10fav (12-0) Made almost all, jumped right, pushed along and joined briefly after 3 out, ridden to regain lead 2 out, soon clear, stayed on well run-in, comfortably, won at Navan 2m 4f mdn gd in Nov beating Benny The Duke (11-13) by 5 1/2l, 12 ran.
