FERNY HOLLOW, a winning point-to-pointer, has started odds-on for both bumper runs to date but has come up against very smart opposition. He'd be very unfortunate if that happened here and compensation awaits. Frontal Assault made a very encouraging bumper debut at Thurles and will be difficult to keep out of a place but Noel Meade's winning point-to-pointer Hes A Hardy Bloke will find easier opportunities. Baptism Of Fire, another winner between the flags, weakened quickly on the heavy ground at Limerick but should have come on for the experience.
It Could Be You (IRE) 28-1 (12-0) Tracked leaders, pushed along before halfway and lost position, soon no danger, 8th of 10, dist behind Forged In Fire (11-11) at Leopardstown 2m sft in Dec.
Rent Day Blues (IRE) Rajj gelding out of Gold Sensation.
Baptism Of Fire (IRE) 7-2 (11-11) Prominent in chasing group, closed from 6f out, led over 5f out, headed from 2f out, no extra and one pace after, 5th of 9, 20 1/2l behind Lieutenant Command (12-0) at Limerick 2m hvy in Dec.
Beagh Castle (IRE) 12-1 (11-7) Rear of mid-division, some progress 6f out, ridden and weakened from 4f out, last of 12, dist behind Aione (12-0) at Punchestown 2m sft in Nov.
Ferny Hollow (IRE) 8-13fav (11-11) Led, travelling smoothly approaching straight, pressed from 2f out, soon joined, narrowly headed and kept on without matching winner inside final furlong, 2nd of 10, 1/2l behind Forged In Fire (11-11) at Leopardstown 2m sft in Dec.
Frontal Assault (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, closer halfway and led 6f out, headed approaching straight and soon pushed along, ridden 2f out and kept on inside final furlong, no impression on winner final 100 yards, 2nd of 14, 1 3/4l behind Energumene (12-0) at Thurles 2m Yielding in Jan.
Hes A Hardy Bloke (IRE) 5-1 (11-11) Mid-div, clsr 1/2way, prog to 5th 5out, gng well 3out, prog to ld 2out, 4l adv last, ko v well, won at Mainstown 3m mdn sft in Dec beating Erne River (11-11) by 4l, 12 ran.
Lispendense (IRE) 16-1 (11-9) Tracked leaders, soon 3rd, closed up on inner from before straight, soon on terms, headed from 1 1/2f out, no extra and one pace after, 5th of 8, 16 1/4l behind Grangeclare Native (11-9) at Punchestown 2m sft in Dec.
Mount Melleray (IRE) Flemensfirth gelding out of Prowler.
Railway Hurricane (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) Held up in rear, closer approaching straight, 5th and pushed along under 2f out, no extra from over 1f out, 5th of 8, 22 1/4l behind Stattler (11-12) at Fairyhouse 2m hvy in Jan.
Song Of Earth (IRE) 6-1 (11-11) Prominent in chasing group, closed from 6f out, pushed along approaching straight, weakened from under 2f out, 8th of 9, dist behind Lieutenant Command (12-0) at Limerick 2m hvy in Dec.
