chased leaders early, dropped towards rear at 2nd, ridden and no impression 5 out
settled behind leaders, 4th halfway. improved to dispute at 10th, led 4 out, strongly pressed entering straight, ridden before last, kept on well run-in
settled behind leaders, 6th halfway, closer in 3rd entering straight, ridden 2 out, no impression in 5th last, left 4th and kept on one pace
held up towards rear, slight mistake 8th, ridden in 8th 4 out, no impression
towards rear for most, mistake 1st, ridden and no impression before 4 out
close up and disputed at times, slight mistakes 5th and 9th, disputed from 5 out, 4th and slight mistake 4 out, ridden and no impression next
led and disputed, headed 4 out, ridden in 3rd next, 6th and no extra 2 out, kept on one pace
settled behind leaders, 5th halfway, ridden in 4th 2 out, stayed on into 2nd last, no impression winner run-in, kept on same pace, just held 2nd
held up towards rear, progress into 5th 5 out, pecked and ridden 2 out, stayed on into 3rd last, kept on same pace run-in, just held for 2nd
ran freely, close up and disputed, slight mistake 7th, 2nd and slight mistake 4 out, close up again entering straight, ridden 2 out, under pressure in 2nd before last where fell
He Is Top Class was beaten a short-head over fences at Sligo in September before reverting to hurdles and finishing around eight lengths behind Swantykay at Cork. The winner ran five times over fences in the summer without looking a natural. Marvellous Moment had looked a decent prospect on his first two starts over the bigger obstacles, despite falling on his debut, but ran so poorly at Wexford last month that something looked amiss. Mr Steadfast makes his debut over fences and is certainly bred for the job as is Never Said That, three times a winner over hurdles including when beating Some Drama three lengths at Fairyhouse in April. Venitien De Mai won his first four races between the flags and was only biding his time over hurdles, though he did manage to win a poor contest at Limerick on very heavy ground. He may need some rain so an interesting contest can go the way of SALSA SENSATION, a winning point-to-pointer and hurdler who looked very much in need of the experience on his return to action and his chasing debut at Galway last week.
Cool Oscar (IRE) 100-1 (11-6) Held up in 3rd, rear from 5th, ridden and no impression after 4 out, eased after 2 out, last of 4, 29 1/4l behind He'llberemembered (11-10) at Thurles 2m 6f gf in Oct.
He Is Top Class (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, progress into 8th after 4 out, 6th before straight, ridden 3 out, no impression next, kept on one pace, 7th of 14, 8 1/2l behind Swantykay (11-11) at Cork 2m 4f hcp gd in Oct.
Marvellous Moment (IRE) 5-2fav (11-12) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, slight mistakes 7th and 8th, ridden and no impression after 3 out, 6th of 10, dist behind Unic De Bersy (11-12) at Wexford 2m 4f gd in Oct.
Mr Steadfast (IRE) 5-2fav (11-5) Held up in rear, wide 2nd until after 3rd, headway before 5th, ridden and weakened 2 out, 4th of 9, 18 1/2l behind Where's Tiger (10-12) at Perth 2m (4) gs in Sep.
Never Said That (IRE) 10-1 (11-1) Soon chased leaders, slight mistakes 6th and 7th, closed up from 3 out, no extra next, 11th of 19, 28 1/4l behind Slygufftou (10-3) at Galway 3m hcp sft in Aug.
Salsa Sensation (IRE) 7-2fav (11-12) Chased leader, 3rd halfway, 2nd before 4 out, pushed along and no impression on winner before 2 out, moderate 3rd after last, no extra, 3rd of 6, 20l behind Captain Von Trappe (11-12) at Galway 2m 7f Yielding in Oct.
Six Senses (IRE) 11-1 (11-12) Chased leaders early, mid-division in 5th at 4th, slow 8th, reminders next, slight mistake and ridden in 6th 5 out, stayed on into 4th 3 out, 3rd and no impression entering straight, kept on one pace, 3rd of 9, 11l behind Finish In Style (11-2) at Tipperary 2m 4f Yielding in Oct.
Some Drama (IRE) 12-1 (11-7) Held up towards rear, ridden in 8th before 3 out, 7th when left moderate 5th 2 out, went moderate 4th at last, no extra, 4th of 9, 16l behind Eshtiaal (10-12) at Down Royal 2m 4f hcp gd in May.
Swantykay (IRE) 20-1 (11-11) Held up towards rear, progress into 6th after 4 out, 4th travelling well 3 out, ridden to challenge 2 out and slight mistake, strongly pressed leader last, stayed on to lead run-in, kept on well closing stages, won at Cork 2m 4f hcp gd in Oct beating Pilgrim Way (11-4) by 1 1/4l, 14 ran.
Venitien De Mai (FR) 2-5fav (11-12) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, bad mistake 8th, under pressure in 3rd approaching straight, soon on terms, led approaching 2 out, pressed and kept on well run-in to just hold on, won at Limerick 2m 5f mdn hvy in Mar beating Positive Approach (11-12) by nk, 7 ran.
