settled 3rd, 4th after 4th, progress to 3rd before 5th, travelled well and on terms 2 out, soon led, pushed along and asserted before last, kept on strongly, easily
held up in rear, not fluent at 2nd, 5th halfway, progress to 4th 2 out, stayed on into 3rd after 2 out, kept on, no impression on easy winner in 2nd run-in
tracked leader in 2nd, almost on terms at 5th, led before 4 out, headed after 4 out, disputed 3 out, pecked slightly 2 out and headed, ridden and no impression on leader before last, weakened run-in
led, almost joined at 5th, headed before 4 out, led narrowly after 4 out, disputed 3 out, dropped to 3rd 2 out, lost place and weakened after 2 out
held up in rear, took closer order in 3rd after 4th, 4th before 5th, dropped to 5th 2 out, soon under pressure, kept on in 3rd run-in, not trouble easy winner
Joseph O'Brien won this last year and though BALLYNEETY only won narrowly on his hurdling debut at Gowran Mark Walsh had plenty up his sleeve and he looks a fine prospect. Henry De Bromhead runs both Due Reward, who might have completed a hat-trick but for falling at Cork then just failed to concede 8lb to Star Maker on this track, and Minella Times, who hasn't made the expected progress from his maiden victory at Kilbeggan. Count Simon found 2m4f stretching his stamina on the latter course so should do better back over this trip but Rock Road's narrow victory at Fairyhouse wouldn't be good enough for this.
Due Reward (IRE) 9-2 (11-10) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, pushed along after 2 out and ridden to go 2nd before last, challenged early run-in, no impression on winner closing stages, 2nd of 8, 1l behind Star Maker (11-2) at Punchestown 2m 1f hcp gd in Nov.
Minella Times (IRE) 7-2 (11-9) Mid-division early, 6th from 4th, effort straight, no impression when bad mistake last, no extra after, 7th of 11, 17 1/4l behind Fiesole (10-10) at Tipperary 2m hcp gd in Oct.
Ballyneety 2-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, effort straight, gained narrow lead run-in and stayed on well, won at Gowran Park 2m mdn gd in Nov beating Calicojack (11-12) by 1/2l, 19 ran.
Rock Road (IRE) 7-1 (11-4) Made all, ridden after 2 out, stayed on well under pressure inside final furlong, won at Fairyhouse 2m mdn gd in Nov beating Melly And Me (11-4) by 1 3/4l, 11 ran.
Count Simon (IRE) 7-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, slight mistake 5th, pushed along from 3 out, no impression from next, 5th of 7, 25l behind Woodland Opera (11-2) at Kilbeggan 2m 4f gd in Aug.
