disputed lead early, not fluent at 1st, led from 2nd, ridden and strongly pressed entering straight, headed at last, rallied well on inner inside final furlong, stayed on well to regain lead close home
mid-division, headway 3 out, went 2nd next, ridden to lead at last, strongly pressed inside final furlong, headed and no extra close home
tracked leaders on outer, ridden in 3rd before 2 out, soon no impression
mid-division, mistake 6th, headway into 4th and slight mistake 3 out, soon ridden and weakened
always behind, ran around approaching 1st, never a factor
disputed lead early, ran around approaching 2nd and headed, ridden in 3rd 3 out, moderate 4th entering straight, no impression
in rear, moderate 8th after 2 out, kept on without threatening, never a factor
always behind, mistake 3rd and slow at 5th, soon pushed along, slightly hampered 3 out, no impression
rear of mid-division, took keen hold, mistake at 4th, no impression from 3 out, never a factor
tracked leaders, mistake at 2nd, checked briefly after 5th, behind leaders when clipped heels and slipped up a few strides after 3 out
mid-division, 6th 3 out, headway into 4th and ridden next, moderate 3rd before last, no impression
mid-division on outer, moderate 7th 2 out, kept on one pace, never a factor
rear of mid-division, slightly hampered at 1st, in rear when hampered 3 out, no impression
Gavin Cromwell won this with the ill-fated Champion Hurdler Espoir D'allen in 2017 and Theatre Of War can be given a chance here though he probably wouldn't have caught Leahman at Gowran when unseating his rider at the last. He was earlier nine lengths behind Laura Bullion at Down Royal and though that winner has since run poorly on the Flat she has to be on the shortlist. A WAVE OF THE SEA, a dual winner on the Flat, made a very promising start over timber when just failing to catch For Everyone at Listowel and today's softer conditions can see him go one better. Gordon Elliott runs Lalipour and Recent Revelations and the latter has to be considered as he was only four lengths behind the selection on the Flat at Sligo in May when conceding 5lb.
A Wave Of The Sea (IRE) 7-4fav (10-8) Chased leaders, slight mistake 4th, 5th halfway, slight mistake 3 out, ridden in 6th 2 out, stayed on into 3rd after last, ran on strongly closing stages, 2nd close home and pressed winner, 2nd of 16, 1/2l behind For Everyone (11-0) at Listowel 2m Grp 3 gd in Sep.
Cerberus 11-2 (9-1) Mid-division, dropped towards rear approaching straight, ridden and no impression under 2f out, kept on one pace final furlong, never a factor, 10th of 14, 9 1/2l behind Finding Nero (9-6) at Gowran Park 1m 1f hcp Yielding in Sep.
Donnersnstrings (IRE) 14-1 (9-3) Pushed along early, prominent, 3rd outer halfway, pushed along in 2nd under 3f out, ridden and no impression inside 3rd over 1f out, weakening when hampered just inside final furlong, no extra, 7th of 11, 10 3/4l behind Royal Aide (9-11) at Killarney 1m 3f hcp sft in Aug.
Frozen Spring (IRE) 33-1 (10-8) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, slight mistake 4 out, ridden in 4th and no impression entering straight, left moderate 3rd 2 out, slight mistake last, no extra, 6th of 16, dist behind Leahman (10-8) at Gowran Park 2m gd in Oct.
Isosceles (IRE) 80-1 (10-8) Held up early, mid-division and mistake 4th, towards rear 4 out, soon weakened and tailed off, 12th of 16, dist behind Leahman (10-8) at Gowran Park 2m gd in Oct.
Kid Curry (IRE) 50-1 (9-5) Dwelt, in rear, no impression straight, never a factor, 10th of 14, 12l behind Harriet's Force (9-0) at Dundalk 1m mdn pol in Oct.
Lalipour (IRE) 14-1 (8-4) Raced in 9th early, pushed along straight, no extra from 2f out, 16th of 21, 8 3/4l behind Aasleagh Fawn (9-0) at Navan 1m 6f hcp gf in Sep.
Recent Revelations (IRE) 12-1 (10-4) last of 9, 17 1/4l behind Quizical (11-12) at Curragh 1m gd in Sep.
Scotts Honor (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) Rear of mid-division, slight mistake at 1st, closer in mid-division at halfway, progress into 4th and slight mistake 2 out, soon ridden and no impression, 5th of 12, 28l behind Harvest Bow (10-5) at Ballinrobe 2m 2f mdn gd in Sep.
Theatre Of War (IRE) 7-2cfav (10-8) Chased leaders and bumped 1st, moderate 6th halfway, progress in 4th 3 out, ridden into moderate 2nd entering straight, mistake 2 out and unseated rider, at Gowran Park 2m gd in Oct.
Laura Bullion (IRE) 10-1 (8-6) Slightly bumped with rival early, waited with, took closer order over 4f out, raced on outer into straight and soon effort, no extra final furlong, 8th of 13, 12 1/4l behind Girolamo (9-0) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp pol in Oct.
Midnight Geisha (IRE) 25-1 (9-0) Slowly into stride, soon pushed along in rear, no extra over 2f out, weakened, last of 14, 37 1/4l behind Lafayette Hill (9-0) at Dundalk 1m mdn fll pol in Dec.
Sean Says (IRE) 100-1 (10-1) Held up, towards rear for most, ridden and no extra 3 out, 14th of 16, 31l behind For Everyone (11-0) at Listowel 2m Grp 3 gd in Sep.
Ventnor (IRE) 100-1 (9-5) Mid-division on outer, reminder after 2f, pushed along halfway and dropped towards rear early straight, weakened, tailed off, last of 18, dist behind Myth Creation (9-3) at Fairyhouse 7f mdn Yielding in Sep.
