led, pushed along 7th, ridden and headed soon after 2 out, kept on same pace
close up, lost place 4th, struggling from 6th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
keen with leader until ridden 7th, weakened next
tracked leaders, chased leader 7th until ridden 2 out, kept on same pace
in touch, headway 4th, close up, led soon after 2 out, ridden out
held up, headway 4th, close up, tracked leaders 3 out, soon ridden, kept on to chase winner approaching last
held up, ridden and weakened 3 out, tailed off
Thumb Stone Blues has decent claims on his placed efforts in Ireland and debuts for Kim Bailey on his first start since April. But SHANROE IN MILAN is taken to improve having made a promising start over timber with a second over track and trip in October when well ahead of Dick Darsie. The latter has subsequently finished closer at Carlisle and should go well again. The remainder have yet to show any worthwhile form over hurdles though Vancouver is expected to finish closer after last month’s debut at Doncaster.
Dick Darsie (IRE) 6-1 (10-12) Tracked winner, ridden before 3 out, kept on and no impression, 2nd of 6, 14l behind Derintoher Yank (11-4) at Carlisle 2m 4f (4) gd in Nov.
Kaiden Michael (IRE) 100-1 (11-0) Mid-division, not that fluent, towards rear from 3rd, tailed off from after 4 out, 7th of 8, dist behind Ballyhill (11-5) at Ludlow 2m 5f (3) gd in Nov.
K O Kenny 40-1 (10-12) Behind, weakened from 3 out, 6th of 7, 23l behind Hassle (11-4) at Cartmel 2m 1f (4) gd in Aug.
Lightning Steps 150-1 (10-12) Took keen hold, tracked leader, led 3rd, not fluent 4 out, headed approaching 3 out, weakened next, 4th of 5, 27 1/4l behind The Unit (10-12) at Doncaster 2m 5f (4) gs in Nov.
Shanroe In Milan (IRE) 13-2 (10-12) Held up, mid-division, took keen hold, led before 2 out, ridden and headed before last, kept on, 2nd of 11, 4 1/2l behind Ballycrystal (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 5f (4) gd in Oct.
Thumb Stone Blues (IRE) 28-1 (12-0) Tracked leaders, 3rd 4f out, 5th and under pressure before straight, one pace, 5th of 12, 18l behind Invitation Only (12-0) at Punchestown 2m Yielding in Apr.
Vancouver 16-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, not fluent 1st or 2nd, outpaced before 3 out, soon weakened, 4th of 5, 27l behind Mahlerdramatic (10-12) at Doncaster 2m 1f (4) gd in Nov.
Sweet Belle 100-1 (10-7) In touch in 4th, lost place from 4th, tailed off from 4 out, 8th of 11, 36 1/4l behind Elgin (11-0) at Newcastle 2m mdn (4) sft in Nov.
Kings Eclipse (IRE) 200-1 (10-12) Always behind, driven along and struggling before 3 out, tailed off, 5th of 7, dist behind No Comment (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 3f (4) gs in Nov.
