led, strongly pressed approaching last where headed, no extra in 3rd run-in
tracked leaders in 3rd, headway on outer to lead just before last where mistake, soon recovered and driven clear run-in
tracked leader in 2nd, slight mistake 2 out, soon ridden and weakened, eased when beaten run-in
settled in rear, slight mistake 2nd, good headway to challenge after 2 out, no impression on winner run-in, kept on same pace under pressure
All eyes will be on the once exciting COUSIN VINNY, who returns after an absence of 22 months. Willie Mullins' charge, the 2008 Cheltenham Bumper winner, didn't quite reach the heights expected over hurdles and flopped when sent chasing but he's still only nine and could still turn out to be top-class. Won In The Dark landed this in 2010 but hasn't scored since and has become extremely disappointing. He didn't beat a rival home on his last two starts in August and though official ratings suggest he's home and hosed he's difficult to have any confidence in. See U Bob is better known as a chaser these days but the lightly-raced Tofino Bay is running well enough to give a good account. Major Finnegan has shown little in his two starts this year following a very long break.
Tofino Bay (IRE) 5-1 (11-9) Raced in 2nd, ridden into straight, challenged and almost on terms before 2 out, struggling when hit last, no impression and kept on same pace run-in, 2nd of 5, 2l behind Stephanie Kate (11-2) at Clonmel 2m 4f hdl sft.
Cousin Vinny (IRE) 12-1 (11-10) Chased leader in 2nd, 4th 3 out, ridden in 6th 2 out, no impression in 7th entering straight, kept on same pace, 6th of 13, 9l behind Quevega (11-5) at Punchestown 3m hdl G1 (1) gd in Apr '10.
Major Finnegan (IRE) 8-1 (11-10) Mid-division, 6th 3 out, no impression under pressure and kept on same pace from before last, 6th of 10, 12l behind Pass The Hat (11-3) at Naas 2m hcp hdl 8Evens23 in Jan.
Won In The Dark (IRE) 4-1 (11-2) Raced mainly 5th of the 6, dropped to last and no extra from before straight, last of 6, 18l behind Silk Hall (10-13) at Galway 2m 4f hdl gd in Aug.
See U Bob (IRE) 50-1 (10-10) Held up towards rear, ridden in 13th 2 out, no impression and kept on one pace, 10th of 22, 19l behind Seabass (10-7) at Leopardstown 2m 5f Ext hcp ch in Jan.
