tracked leader in 2nd and disputed from 5th, headed 8th until disputed again 2 out, ridden approaching last where led, kept on well run-in
chased leaders and 5th halfway, slight mistake 5th, no extra in 7th after 4 out
tracked leaders and 3rd halfway, pushed along in 4th when mistake 2 out and no impression when mistake last
chased leaders and 6th halfway, slight mistake 6th and mistake next, pushed along in 5th after 4 out, no extra in 6th before last
led, occasionally jumped left, joined 5th and led again from 8th, joined 2 out and ridden approaching last where headed, no impression on winner run-in
chased leaders and in rear before halfway, slight mistake 6th, ridden and no extra after next, weakened, tailed off
chased leaders and 4th halfway, 3rd 4 out, ridden approaching last and no impression on winner run-in
settled towards rear, 6th 4 out, pushed along and headway into 4th before last, no impression run-in
A bad mistake at the last may have cost LETTER OF CREDIT the race at Wexford last time and though he's been prone to making errors he's handed the vote in the hope he can get round without mishap. Gentleman Duke was moderate over hurdles but looks like being a much better chaser judged on his two runs over fences. He has to be a threat but winning hurdler Raise Hell has been a disappointment over the bigger obstacles to date. Both Blazing Sonnet and Holeinthewall Bar did well enough over timber to be considered.
Gentleman Duke (IRE) 6-1 (11-11) Chased leaders, left 2nd 6th, 3rd halfway, mistake 5 out, close 2nd after 3 out, ridden before 2 out, no impression winner before last, kept on same pace, 2nd of 7, 4 1/2l behind Passage Vendome (11-12) at Tramore 2m beg chs gd in Oct.
Holeinthewall Bar (IRE) 8-1 (9-3) Tracked leaders, 4th after 3 out, ridden to go moderate 3rd from last, stayed on closing stages without reaching winner, 2nd of 8, 1l behind Nearly Nama'd (10-10) at Galway 2m hcp hdl hvy in Oct.
Letter Of Credit (IRE) 8-1 (10-10) Towards rear, closer in mid-division when mistake 7th, ridden in 6th 3 out, went 4th next, disputing 2nd when mistake at last, no extra in 3rd run-in, 3rd of 11, 6l behind Dick Dundee (11-6) at Wexford 2m 3f hcp chs in Oct.
Mitebeall Forluck 40-1 (11-11) Always towards rear, under pressure 7th, soon no impression, never a factor, 11th of 14, well behind Back Off Mate (11-11) at Wexford 2m 3f beg chs in Oct.
Raise Hell (IRE) 9-2 (11-12) Led, soon clear, very bad mistake 6th and headed, soon dropped to 3rd, pushed along before 2 out, beaten in 4th when a bit slow last, 4th of 8, 14l behind Pass The Hat (11-12) at Limerick 2m 3f beg chs gd in Oct.
Volkis O'blue (FR) 40-1 (11-12) Always behind, no impression from 5 out, 6th of 7, 46l behind Passage Vendome (11-12) at Tramore 2m beg chs gd in Oct.
Blazing Sonnet (IRE) 7-1 (10-13) Waited with, 11th before 6 out, improved to track leaders before straight, led before 2 out, mistake last, soon pressed and stayed on well, won at Limerick 2m 3f hcp hdl 80-116 sft in May beating Muzak (10-11) by 1 1/4l, 16 ran.
Sitcom (IRE) 8-1 (11-3) Chased leaders mainly 7th, pushed along 3 out and moderate 6th next, kept on one pace and left moderate 4th run-in, 4th of 12, 29l behind Nearest The Pin (11-12) at Ballinrobe 2m 1f beg chs gd in Sep.
