led, pushed along and headed before 2 out, dropped to 3rd and ridden after 2 out, weakened, dropped to 4th run-in
tracked leader in 2nd, travelled well to lead before 2 out, asserted after 2 out, kept on well, comfortably
ran 3rd, mistake at 2nd, progress to 2nd after 2 out, soon ridden, no impression on leader, kept on run-in, not trouble winner
raced 4th, pushed along after 3 out, detached 2 out where not fluent, kept on one pace to moderate 3rd run-in
Dounikos was conceding Robbina 20lb when beating him two lengths here last month and the latter can't hold out much hope on the revised terms. Gordon Elliott's charge attempted to make all on a return visit but found Billy's Hope too strong, though will take some pegging back with his rider's claim a bonus. TEACHER'S PET was also on a hat-trick last time and only just failed to hold Bel Ami De Sivola. There was no disgrace in that and she'd looked very progressive earlier so could just have the upper hand here. Tuzo was engaged in the 1.35 at Fairyhouse yesterday so the result should be monitored while Freeway Space, a smart point-to-pointer and bumper, has done nothing over hurdles so far to suggest she could win this.
Dounikos (FR) 15-8fav (11-6) Led and disputed, pushed along approaching straight, joined after 2 out, headed and kept on without matching winner run-in, 2nd of 6, 1 1/2l behind Billy's Hope (11-7) at Thurles 2m 7f Yielding in Nov.
Teacher's Pet (IRE) 15-2 (11-2) Tracked leaders, 3rd from 3rd, 2nd after 5th, 3rd again before straight, stayed on well run-in, 2nd near line, not get to winner, 2nd of 9, 3/4l behind Bel Ami De Sivola (11-10) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f Yielding in Dec.
Freeway Space (IRE) 20-1 (11-7) Mid-division early and took keen hold, headway to dispute lead from 5th, not fluent 3 out and headed, ridden and weakened from next, 7th of 19, 16 3/4l behind Pravalaguna (11-3) at Navan 2m 4f mdn Yielding - Soft in Dec.
Robbina (IRE) 7-1 (10-13) Chased leaders, 7th at 3rd, closer in 4th 3 out, one pace next, 4th of 16, 8 1/2l behind Augusta Kate (11-7) at Thurles 2m 7f mdn Yielding in Nov.
Tuzo (IRE) 25-1 (11-12) Soon mid-division at slow pace, 12th from 3rd, no impression from before 2 out, 13th of 19, 21 3/4l behind Maighnealta (10-1) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f hcp Yielding in Dec.
