chased leader, 3rd halfway, ridden in 4th entering straight, no extra before last, kept on same pace
settled behind leaders in 4th, headway in 3rd entering straight, improved to narrow lead before last and drifted slightly left, ridden and headed after last, hampered and kept on run-in, no extra close home
chased leader, 2nd halfway, improved to lead briefly early straight, ridden and headed before last, no extra in 3rd last, weakened
led, ridden and headed early straight, no extra before last
held up in last, mistake 2 out, good headway to challenge approaching last and slightly hampered, slight peck last, soon led, ridden and drifted right run-in, kept on well to assert close home
Jack Cool, runner-up in the top amateurs' handicap at Aintree in April before landing a Grade B handicap at Fairyhouse, didn't run so well in mid-summer and the break should have done him good. He has a double penalty to carry but should still take care of the four-year-old Sailors Warn, who is penalised for his victory in his own age group at Limerick on Sunday. The latter is held by Toner D'Oudairies on their run in a Grade 3 juvenile hurdle at Fairyhouse in December though he twice finished behind that rival later in the season. Mackeys Forge, beaten a short-head in a Grade 2 novices event in April, made a very pleasing reappearance behind Plan A at Fairyhouse and looks certain to go well but it's the exciting prospect STEPS TO FREEDOM, who had been in fine form on the Flat before making an impressive hurdling debut when beating subsequent winner Leceile at Fairyhouse, who looks the one to beat.
Jack Cool (IRE) 11-2 (11-7) Prominent, on terms 3 out, 2nd approaching straight, soon no impression under pressure, kept on same pace, 5th of 7, 16l behind Captain Cee Bee (11-0) at Tipperary 2m hdl Grd 3 (1) gd in Jul.
Sailors Warn (IRE) 4-7fav (11-6) Keen hold, soon raced well off the pace in 4th, closed in 3rd from after 3 out, challenged travelling well in 2nd before 2 out where gained narrow lead, stayed on well under pressure run-in, won at Limerick 2m 2f 4yo hdl beating Little Green (10-13) by 1/2l, 6 ran.
Toner D'Oudairies (FR) 7-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders in 4th, close up approaching 2 out, soon ridden and no impression, 6th of 11, 15l behind Unaccompanied (10-9) at Leopardstown 2m 4yo hdl Grade 1 (1) hvy in Feb.
Mackeys Forge (IRE) 7-2 (10-12) Chased clear leader in 2nd, closer from 4 out, driven along and no impression in 4th entering straight, rallied into 3rd approaching last, kept on same pace, 3rd of 6, 2 3/4l behind Plan A (10-8) at Fairyhouse 2m hdl gd in Sep.
Steps To Freedom (IRE) 2-7fav (11-12) Tracked leaders, 5th halfway, good headway into 2nd 3 out, smooth progress to lead after next, stretched clear run-in, very easily, won at Fairyhouse 2m mdn hdl gd in Sep beating Leceile (11-7) by 8l, 16 ran.
