held up towards rear, closer in 5th after 3 out, travelled well into 3rd entering straight, 2nd last, ridden to lead run-in, kept on well closing stages
led briefly early, headed before 1st, slight mistake 5th, lost place approaching 3 out where mistake, soon dropped towards rear and no extra
chased leaders, 2nd from 5th, slight mistake 2 out, ridden to dispute entering straight, led before last, headed run-in, no extra and kept on same pace
held up behind leaders early, chased leaders from 2nd, 4th halfway, slight mistake 5th, ridden in 3rd 2 out, soon no extra, weakened entering straight, pulled up before last
led before 1st, joined and disputed entering entering straight, ridden and headed before last, 3rd from last, kept on same pace
held up in rear, slight mistakes 1st and 2nd, ridden into moderate 5th and no impression entering straight, kept on one pace from before last
soon mid-division, progress into 4th 3 out, ridden entering straight, no extra before last, kept on one pace
soon mid-division, dropped towards rear and jumped left 2 out, soon no extra
The Game Changer returned to form over fences at Ballinrobe before just holding on over timber at Limerick when the ground was very testing. His stable companion Campeador could hardly have had worse luck last season, falling at the last in his last two starts when looking the likely winner. He has a long absence to overcome but looks a smart prospect for this campaign. HIDDEN CYCLONE has an outstanding strike-rate of 17-46 including this a year ago. His last run was over fences but he'll be ready for this and gets the nod. Tully East did very well over fences last season when he landed a Listed race over fences at Cheltenham. He'll be back over the bigger obstacles before long while Ornua found the Galway Hurdle too tough after looking very promising when completing a double earlier. Wakea put his jumping problems behind him with a narrow defeat at Down Royal though that was over 3m.
Campeador (FR) 9-2fav (10-13) Mid-division, smooth progress after 3 out and 4th next, led travelling well approaching last, 3 lengths clear and fell last, at Fairyhouse 2m hcp Good - Yielding in Dec.
Hidden Cyclone (IRE) 5-4fav (11-2) Chased leaders, close up from 4th, disputed from next, headed 3 out, ridden in 2nd before 2 out, kept on same pace from before last, 2nd of 5, 2 3/4l behind Dromnea (11-2) at Listowel 2m 4f hvy in Sep.
Wakea (USA) 5-1 (11-6) Led, slight mistake 5th and not fluent 7th, travelled well approaching last, pressed run-in and kept on, ridden and headed near line, 2nd of 5, shd behind Rashaan (11-10) at Down Royal 3m Yielding in Sep.
The Game Changer (IRE) 4-1 (11-12) Tracked leader in 2nd, led narrowly 4 out, soon 2nd, on terms 2 out, soon led, edged right run-in, strongly pressed close home, held on, won at Listowel 2m hvy in Sep beating Ballycasey (11-12) by hd, 5 ran.
Ornua (IRE) 20-1 (10-7) Led or disputed after 1st, not fluent 2nd, headed 3 out, soon no extra, weakened, pulled up before next, at Galway 2m hcp Yielding in Aug.
Tully East (IRE) 5-1 (11-9) Towards rear, mistake 5th, 11th after 3 out and no extra, pulled up before 2 out, at Punchestown 2m hcp Good - Yielding in Apr.
Forge Meadow (IRE) 12-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, 5th halfway, slight mistake 4 out, pushed along in rear approaching straight, no extra, weakened, last of 6, 30 3/4l behind Jezki (11-0) at Tipperary 2m (1) Soft - Heavy in Oct.
Jimmy Breekie (IRE) 7-4 (11-10) Tracked leaders, challenged going well before 2 out, ridden approaching last, outpaced by winner flat, 2nd of 6, 5l behind Minotaur (11-4) at Aintree 2m 4f (4) gd in Jun.
