held up in touch, 2nd at 2nd, disputed from 5th, bad mistake, nearly unseated rider and headed 8th, close 3rd 3 out, ridden when pecked 2 out, no impression in 3rd before last, kept on one pace
tracked leader, mistake and pecked badly 1st, soon dropped to rear, 3rd at 4th, not fluent 7th, in touch in 4th when eased and pulled up after 8th
tracked leaders, slow and reminder and flicked tail 4th, reached for 7th, went 2nd next, pressed leader from 4 out, led narrowly after next, ridden before last, kept on well, headed close home
held up in touch in rear, not fluent 1st, soon 4th, dropped to rear again 4th, left 4th after 8th, pushed along before next, ridden and no impression before 2 out, kept on one pace
led, reminder 2nd, not fluent and joined 5th, led or disputed after until led again 8th, pressed 4 out, headed narrowly after 3 out, ridden before last, stayed on well run-in, edged ahead close home edged
Minella Crooner, a winning point-to-pointer, bumper and hurdler, was beaten just under three lengths when runner-up in a Leopardstown Grade 1 in February and makes his chasing debut. Amirite won a maiden hurdle by 30 lengths in April and reappeared by giving 7lb and a nose beating to subsequent winner Secret She Keeps over fences at Fairyhouse. Final Orders was in superb form around this time a year ago completing a hat-trick over fences though he'll need to improve again in this company. IDAS BOY could hardly have been more impressive on his chasing debut at Cork and did even better on a return visit when only headed at the last by the smart El Barra with Panda Boy well beaten. Thedevilscoachman beat some smart types in a Navan Grade 2 hurdle in February and overcame some sloppy early jumping to make a winning debut over fences at Galway. Darrens Hope is suited by the race conditions but needs to improve.
Amirite (IRE) 6-4 (11-12) Tracked leaders and soon settled in 2nd, pushed along to challenge before 2 out, ridden and improved to dispute lead before last, kept on best to lead final strides, won at Fairyhouse 2m 5f gd in Oct beating Secret She Keeps (11-5) by ns, 8 ran.
Idas Boy (IRE) 13-8fav (11-0) Led narrowly, not fluent at 5th, 2 lengths clear after 10th, reduced lead after 4 out, pressed 2 out, headed last, ridden and stayed on run-in, not reach winner, 2nd of 6, 1/2l behind El Barra (11-0) at Cork 2m 4f (1) Soft - Heavy in Nov.
Minella Crooner (IRE) 4-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders, slightly hampered at 2nd, ridden in 2nd 3 out, weakened next, pulled up before last, at Punchestown 3m (1) Good - Yielding in Apr.
Panda Boy (IRE) 14-1 (11-0) Towards rear, slow jump at 1st and dropped to rear, 5th after 6th, slightly detached 4 out where not fluent, no impression on leaders in moderate 4th 2 out where mistake, one paced, 4th of 6, 26l behind El Barra (11-0) at Cork 2m 4f (1) Soft - Heavy in Nov.
Darrens Hope (IRE) 13-2 (10-10) Towards rear, pushed along in rear when slightly hampered 10th, ridden and no impression after 3 out, moderate 10th before next, no extra, 8th of 16, 27 3/4l behind The Big Dog (11-4) at Limerick 3m hcp sft in Oct.
Final Orders 2-1fav (11-9) Led and disputed, led form 9th, ridden before 2 out, kept on well under pressure run-in, won at Down Royal 3m hcp Yielding in Nov beating Archies Charm (11-7) by 3/4l, 7 ran.
Thedevilscoachman (IRE) 5-6fav (11-12) Tracked leader, 4th at 2nd where not fluent, 3rd at 7th, 4th before 10th, slight mistake 4 out, headway after 3 out, improved to lead narrowly 2 out, kept on best inside final furlong, won at Galway 2m 7f Soft - Heavy in Oct beating Churchstonewarrior (11-12) by 1 3/4l, 7 ran.
