disputed early, lost place briefly 6th and towards rear, 3rd halfway, ridden 5 out, no impression in 4th next
slow 1st and towards rear, slight mistake 11th, ridden into 4th 5 out, no impression in 3rd 3 out, kept on one pace straight
settled behind leaders, 5th halfway, bad mistake and unseated rider 12th
held up towards rear, closer in 5th before 4 out, ridden and no impression 4 out, soon no extra
disputed early, slightly hampered on rail before 4th, 3rd from 7th, 4th halfway, ridden in 5th 5 out, no extra next, mistakes 2 out and last
held up early, progress to dispute after 3rd, 2nd halfway, ridden to challenge 3 out, led before 2 out, kept on well from before last
led and disputed, led halfway, ridden and pressed 3 out, headed before 2 out, no extra in 2nd before last, kept on same pace
Fr Humphrey won with plenty in hand at Punchestown in May but was engaged to run at Fairyhouse yesterday so that result should be monitored. Vic Approach easily landed a beginners' chase at Tramore then just failed to take advantage of a much lower rating over hurdles on this track. He's progressing and will enjoy the conditions as will One Fine Morning, who has been running a bit better since beaten a distance by ABARTA at Galway in September. The winner, who completed a double at Ballinrobe, has continued in fine form and would have found 2m2f much too short when a close third at Galway last weekend so gets the vote. He only had a head to spare over Springbelle at Ballinrobe, when Coolnagorna Giggs was a long way behind, but stayed on the stronger and the longer trip is in his favour.
Coolnagorna Giggs (IRE) 28-1 (11-9) Mid-division, 5th at 5th, went 3rd 3 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace in 3rd from last, 3rd of 10, 7l behind Pencilhimin (11-5) at Sligo 3m hcp Yielding in Sep.
Springbelle (IRE) 8-1 (11-3) Chased leaders, slight mistakes 2nd and 5th, hampered 7th, mistake 9th, 5th halfway, 3rd and hampered at 10th, improved to challenge 3 out, ridden and disputed before 2 out, led last, strongly pressed run-in and headed closing stages, 2nd of 12, hd behind Abarta (10-13) at Ballinrobe 2m 7f hcp sft in Sep.
Abarta (IRE) 10-1 (10-11) Prominent in 3rd, soon tracked leaders, 4th 2 out, ridden after last, progress to 3rd over 1f out, kept on, not trouble principals, 3rd of 11, 5l behind Battling Boru (11-3) at Galway 2m 2f hcp Yielding in Oct.
Valentino's Choice (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden and no impression after 3 out, kept on one pace, 5th of 10, 34 1/4l behind Unic De Bersy (11-12) at Wexford 2m 4f gd in Oct.
One Fine Morning 12-1 (11-11) Tracked leaders, led 4 out, ridden before 2 out, strongly pressed inside final furlong, headed and no extra near line, 2nd of 10, nk behind Down Time (11-12) at Downpatrick 2m 7f hcp gd in Oct.
Magical Mother (IRE) 8-1 (10-13) Chased leaders, 7th halfway, pushed along in 4th before 2 out, ridden after last to go moderate 2nd 1f out, kept on one pace, 2nd of 17, 8l behind Tomcoole Lad (9-13) at Galway 2m 7f hcp Yielding in Oct.
Bills Official (IRE) 8-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, mistake 9th, ridden in 9th before 4 out, no impression 2 out, went moderate 4th entering straight, kept on one pace, 5th of 17, 28 1/4l behind Tomcoole Lad (9-13) at Galway 2m 7f hcp Yielding in Oct.
Vic Approach (IRE) 13-8fav (11-0) Mid-division, 8th halfway, ridden 3 out, stayed on into 6th on inner entering straight, kept on into 2nd before last and slightly hampered, led last, kept on well under pressure run-in, headed at line, 2nd of 14, hd behind Fleurys Fort (11-2) at Thurles 2m 6f hcp gf in Oct.
Fr Humphrey (IRE) 16-1 (10-9) Soon prominent, 2nd from 6th, led before 7th, joined 11th, led again from 4 out, stayed on best run-in, eased near finish, just held on, won at Punchestown 3m 1f hcp gd in May beating As De Pique (10-1) by hd, 14 ran.
Galboystown Lady (IRE) 7-1 (11-5) In rear, refused 8th, at Downpatrick 2m 7f hcp gd in Oct.
