chased leaders early, held up before 2nd, towards rear halfway, ridden and no extra before 3 out, weakened
mid-division early, progress to chase leaders from 4th, 6th halfway, 4th 3 out, improved to challenge 2 out, soon led, ridden to assert before last, kept on well run-in
led and disputed, headed after 1st, remained close up and disputed at times, slight mistake 4th, disputed 3 out, ridden and headed after 2 out, no extra before last
settled behind leaders, closer from 3rd, 4th halfway, ridden in 5th 2 out, no extra before last
always towards rear, trailing halfway, completely tailed off
settled mid-division, closer in 5th after 5th, ridden in 4th 2 out, stayed on into 2nd approaching last, mistake last, dropped to 3rd and kept on same pace run-in
chased leaders early, slight mistake 2nd, mid-division from 4th, ridden and no impression 3 out, no extra next
settled behind leaders, 5th halfway, ridden before 2 out, under pressure in 4th before last, stayed on into 2nd run-in, not reach winner
disputed, led and disputed after 1st, headed 3 out, ridden and no extra before next, weakened
chased leaders, 3rd halfway, improved to challenge 3 out, disputed before next, ridden and headed after 2 out, under pressure in 3rd approaching last, kept on same pace
always towards rear, trailing halfway, never a factor, weakened before 3 out
Gallant John Joe was staying on strongly over 2m4f at Ballinrobe in May so the extra will be in his favour. Winning bumper and point-to-pointer Grotesque has twice been beaten when odds-on over hurdles but stable companion Portnablagh, another winner between the flags and of a Cork bumper, has a pedigree to suggest he should have stamina to burn. SCHOOL BOY HOURS couldn't get close enough to the winner over 2m3f at Naas but this will be more like his trip and he's taken to give Noel Meade a quick double. Sweet Flight won a Wexford bumper on his debut and has been finding the minimum trip too short over hurdles so better is expected. The Gunner Murphy landed a Galway bumper last October and made his hurdling debut in a Grade 2 at Fairyhouse in April where he made too many mistakes. Mount Pelier started off with a very promising run over hurdles at this meeting a year ago and won a Wexford bumper last month so he's of definite interest.
First Class Return (IRE) 33-1 (11-12) Mid-division, pushed along briefly at 4th, ridden in 6th 2 out, no impression, 6th of 13, 31 1/2l behind Borderline Chatho (11-12) at Naas 2m 3f mdn Good - Yielding in Nov.
Gallant John Joe (IRE) 7-2jfav (11-4) Mid-division, headway into 3rd 2 out, pushed along to go 2nd before last, ridden and no impression on winner run-in, kept on one pace, 2nd of 15, 2 1/4l behind Awbeg Prince (11-12) at Ballinrobe 2m 4f mdn gd in May.
Grotesque 8-11fav (11-12) Disputed lead, led before 3rd, mistake and joined 4 out, headed next, ridden and dropped to 3rd 2 out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 15, 9 1/4l behind Another Barney (11-10) at Naas 2m mdn Soft - Heavy in Jan.
Mount Pelier (IRE) 11-10fav (12-0) Soon settled behind leaders, 5th halfway, closer in 3rd 6f out, ridden in 4th 3f out, stayed on in 3rd 1 1/2f out, closer 1f out, kept on well inside final furlong to lead last final 50 yards, won at Wexford 2m Yielding in Oct beating Acronym (12-0) by 1 1/2l, 9 ran.
Shanroe Al C (IRE) 33-1 (11-12) Waited with, 13th after 3rd, one pace approaching straight, 18th of 19, dist behind Ballyneety (11-12) at Gowran Park 2m mdn gd in Nov.
Sweet Flight (GER) 7-2 (11-12) Close up and led early, 2nd approaching 3rd, 4th after 4th, lost position approaching straight and one pace after, 6th of 17, 10 1/4l behind Choungaya (11-4) at Tipperary 2m mdn gd in Oct.
The Dabbler (IRE) 33-1 (12-0) Prominent, soon 2nd, pushed along briefly over 5f out, under pressure before straight, no extra from over 2f out, 8th of 10, 26 3/4l behind Famous Saying (11-6) at Tipperary 2m 2f sft in May.
The Gunner Murphy (IRE) 28-1 (11-4) Towards rear, no impression from before 3 out, weakened and pulled up after 2 out, at Fairyhouse 2m (1) hvy in Apr.
The Shunter (IRE) 16-1 (11-7) Tracked leader, disputed lead after 6f and led briefly halfway, ridden and headed over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 4th of 6, 8 1/2l behind Chead Solas (11-4) at Punchestown 2m 1f gd in Nov.
Portnablagh (IRE) 7-1 (11-6) Led, joined 5f out, pushed along and headed 4f out, weakened straight, 10th of 11, 37l behind Tintangle (11-6) at Fairyhouse 2m lst (1) sft in Apr.
Wild Rumour (IRE) 66-1 (11-0) Raced in 4th, 5th after halfway, closer order 6f out, lost position and no impression approaching straight in rear, soon headway to chase leaders again, kept on into moderate 3rd without threatening final furlong, 3rd of 6, 16 1/2l behind Doctor Duffy (11-7) at Cork 2m 3f gd in Oct.
Hotel Du Nord (FR) 13-8fav (12-0) Led and disputed, pressed from before straight, soon headed and no extra, 6th of 10, dist behind Raya Time (12-0) at Killarney 2m 1f gd in May.
School Boy Hours (IRE) 15-8fav (11-12) Tracked leaders, slight mistake and bumped at 2nd, slight mistake 3rd, not fluent at 6th, 3rd and mistake 4 out, closer in 3rd and slight mistake 2 out, soon ridden, 2nd before last, kept on well close home, not reach winner, 2nd of 13, 2 1/4l behind Borderline Chatho (11-12) at Naas 2m 3f mdn Good - Yielding in Nov.
