tracked leaders, went 2nd at 7th, led 3 out, ridden and joined after 2 out, narrowly headed before last, kept on same pace in 2nd inside final furlong
in rear on outer, no impression from 3 out, never a factor
tracked leaders, improved to dispute lead after 2 out, ridden to lead narrowly before last, stayed on well under pressure inside final furlong
held up in rear, closer in 6th 3 out, soon ridden and no impression
tracked leaders in 5th, headway into close 2nd 2 out, soon ridden in 3rd, no impression on leaders in 3rd before last, 4th inside final furlong, no extra
tracked leader in 2nd, not fluent 4th, dropped to 4th at 8th, pushed along in 5th and mistake 3 out, ridden in 4th after next, went 3rd and no impression on leaders after last, kept on without threatening
rear of mid-division, no impression from 3 out, never a factor
towards rear, ridden and weakened 8th, soon trailing, pulled up before 3 out
led, mistake 6th, mistake 3 out and headed, dropped to 4th 2 out, no impression
Life In The Park has a cracking pedigree and was 15l clear at the last when falling on the Fairyhouse point-to-point course in April. Freedom To Dream finished runner-up to last season's brilliant novice hurdler Appreciate It in a Leopardstown bumper almost two years ago but hasn't run since. Sam's Choice carries a penalty for his bumper success, as he did when running moderately on his hurdling debut at Galway so the vote goes to HUNTERS YARN. Willie Mullins' new recruit won a Thurles bumper by 17l in March and though the placed horses haven't enhanced the form he could hardly have won more easily.
Sam's Choice (IRE) 9-2 (12-0) Tracked leader, 3rd after 4th, 4th before 2 out, dropped to 5th 2 out, no impression in moderate 4th before last, one paced, 4th of 7, 20l behind Choice Of Words (11-5) at Galway 2m mdn sft in Oct.
Daring Rocco (IRE) (12-2) Mid-div & sltly kn, 5th 1/2way, sl mstk 4out, rdn bef 2out, no ex appr str, ko bhnd, 5th of 11, 17l behind Dublin Calling (12-2) at Punchestown 3m mdn in May.
Freedom To Dream (FR) 8-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, close up from 3f out, ridden in 2nd 2f out, no impression on winner 1 1/2f out, kept on same pace, just held 2nd, 2nd of 9, 6l behind Appreciate It (12-0) at Leopardstown 2m 4f sft in Dec.
Brulure Noire (IRE) 10-1 (12-2) Led, ran wide off bend at halfway, ridden and headed 3f out, soon weakened, 6th of 7, 28l behind Imperial Lord (11-12) at Thurles 2m Good - Yielding in Nov.
Hunters Yarn (IRE) 11-4 (11-9) Tracked leader in close 2nd, led under 6f out, travelled well entering straight, clear under 2f out, ran on strongly, eased close home, impressive, won at Thurles 2m Yielding in Mar beating Noble Birth (11-9) by 17l, 15 ran.
Life In The Park (IRE) (11-6) Twrds rr, 2nd 1/2way, gd prog aftr 3out to jn ldr, gng well after 2out & wo, 15l adv bef last where fell, unlucky, at Fairyhouse 3m mdn gd in Apr.
Emperor Dani (IRE) 250-1 (11-10) Rear of mid-division, dropped towards rear before 1st, not fluent at 2nd and 3rd, 6th after 4th, dropped to rear and detached before 2 out, weakened after 2 out, 6th of 7, dist behind Choice Of Words (11-5) at Galway 2m mdn sft in Oct.
Inspiteofourselves (IRE) 125-1 (12-0) Chased leader, lost place before halfway, weakened in rear after 3 out, soon detached, 20th of 22, dist behind Uhtred (12-0) at Naas 2m mdn Yielding in Nov.
Johngus (IRE) 66-1 (11-5) Always towards rear, ridden and no extra before 3 out, weakened, brought down last, at Punchestown 2m 5f Yielding in Apr.
