soon chased leaders, 4th from 3rd, not always fluent jumping, under pressure and no impression from 4 out
soon tracked leader, pushed along briefly approaching straight, challenged and on terms 3 out, headed from next and soon one pace
chased leaders, 6th from 3rd, last from 8th, no impression from 4 out and pulled up before 2 out
soon tracked leaders in 3rd, slight mistake 4 out, pushed along approaching straight, on terms 2 out on inner, soon led, asserted from before last, stayed on well
held up, 7th from 3rd, not always fluent jumping and reminder 5th, no impression from 4 out
soon led, slight mistake 4 out, joined and not fluent 3 out, headed from next and soon one pace in 3rd
took keen hold early, soon chased leaders, 5th from 3rd, no impression from 4 out
held up, last from 3rd, 6th from 8th, no impression from 4 out
Brave Poppy has won a bumper on heavy ground but failed to stay three miles in those conditions over hurdles at Listowel following a good run over this course and distance. This should be more to his liking but MASSEY'S WOOD was very impressive when making all over the minimum in testing ground at Listowel and Alan Fleming's charge looks one to follow. Burren Life hasn't done badly in bumpers but was always much more likely to do better when tackling obstacles so he's one to keep an eye on while Statistical is bred to be a smart chaser and looks one for the future.
Brave Poppy (IRE) 9-10fav (11-12) Rear of mid-division, 5th at 6th, closed in 3rd after 3 out, ridden and weakened after 2 out, not fluent at last, no extra, 5th of 9, 12 1/2l behind Champoleon (11-12) at Listowel 3m mdn hvy in Sep.
Massey's Wood 1-2fav (12-0) Soon led, asserted 4f out, drew clear under 2f out, kept on well, not extended, very easily, won at Listowel 2m hvy in Sep beating Crumpledandcreased (11-7) by 31l, 5 ran.
Epic Ethel 7-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, ridden and headway on inside over 2f out, went 4th towards finish, no chance with front pair, 4th of 10, 11 3/4l behind Oscar Rose (11-0) at Huntingdon 2m (1) gs in Dec.
Burren Life (IRE) 6-1 (12-0) Led, pressed straight, headed over 1 1/2f out, one pace after, 5th of 13, 24 3/4l behind Minella Beau (12-0) at Cork 2m 3f gd in Apr.
Manhatton Island (IRE) 66-1 (11-12) Held up, mid-division before halfway, ridden towards rear 3 out, soon no impression, 9th of 12, dist behind Moyross (11-12) at Galway 2m 5f mdn sft in Sep.
Statistical (IRE) 9-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, some progress into moderate 9th 3 out, soon ridden and no impression, 10th of 18, 32 3/4l behind Dawn In The Park (11-5) at Clonmel 2m mdn Good - Yielding in Jun.
Trump Sixteen (IRE) 33-1 (11-12) Mid-division, moderate 6th halfway, progress into 4th after 3 out, ridden and no impression before 2 out, kept on one pace, 6th of 12, dist behind Moyross (11-12) at Galway 2m 5f mdn sft in Sep.
Drumbar Millie (IRE) 50-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, dropped towards rear halfway and pushed along in 6th from 4f out, no impression and kept on same pace from over 2f out, 5th of 9, 22 1/2l behind Slippery Serpent (12-0) at Downpatrick 2m 3f gd in Aug.
