tracked leaders in 3rd, 2nd from over 5f out, ridden to lead entering straight, soon strongly pressed, stayed on well to draw clear from over 1f out
reluctant to line up at start, refused to race
tracked leader in 2nd, 3rd 5f out, 4th and driven along over 3f out, no impression straight
chased leaders in 4th, 5th halfway, ridden from 5f out, no impression from 3f out
settled 5th, 4th halfway, 3rd and headway 3f out, close 2nd and challenged straight, no impression from over 1f out, kept on same pace
led, ridden and headed entering straight, 3rd and outpaced 2f out, kept on again inside final furlong
ran loose before start, always towards rear
always behind, trailing when eased final furlong
All of these have been jumping and though THE BULL HAYES hasn't quite hit the heights over timber he has by far the best form on the level having once been beaten just five lengths by Sea The Stars and being placed in a Group 3 at the Curragh. De Valira has been mixing it in good very company over timber, including two good runs behind Solwhit, and may just have the edge on fitness though he has plenty to find on flat ratings. Donegal had some excellent form in pattern races for Andrew Balding but hasn't done so well over timber and should appreciate a return to the level. Winning point-to-pointer Headford Flyer landed a bumper at Clonmel last month so fitness won't be a concern.
The Bull Hayes (IRE) 9-4fav (8-13) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden in 6th over 3f out, soon no extra, 7th of 8, 15l behind Von Jawlensky (9-2) at Listowel 1m 4f cond Stakes in Sep.
De Valira (IRE) 11-1 (9-2) 3rd of 16, 1/2l behind Erdiyna (8-8) at Naas 1m 4f hcp gd in Oct.
Donegal (USA) 14-1 (9-4) Chased leader, 3rd after 6f, ridden in 4th 2f out, soon no extra, last of 7, 7l behind Hindu Kush (9-1) at Leopardstown 1m 6f Listed stks gd in May.
Gallery Man (IRE) 11-2 (11-0) Chased leaders, ridden and headway from 3 out, led before next, joined last, headed and kept on same pace run-in, 2nd of 16, 3l behind Not To Know (10-12) at Fairyhouse 2m 2f hcp hdl 8Evens09 gd in Oct.
Headford Flyer (IRE) 4-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, 7th halfway, 5th and headway 3f out, 2nd into straight, led narrowly from over 1f out, drifted left under pressure, kept on well, won at Clonmel 2m N H flat in Mar beating Bruach Na Mara (11-7) by 1/2l, 13 ran.
Long Strand (IRE) 6-4fav (11-2) Raced awkwardly with head on one side, chased leader, led 4 out, pecked and headed 3 out, weakened before 2 out, 7th of 11, 27l behind Universal Soldier (11-2) at Ffos Las 2m 4f NH nov hdl (4-7yo) (4) gs in Feb.
Richard The First (GER) 8-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, moderate 5th approaching 5 out, no extra under pressure from next, 8th of 11, 50l behind Teach Nua (11-12) at Roscommon 2m nov hdl gf in Sep.
The Next Hall (IRE) 50-1 (10-7) Towards rear, ridden and some headway to go 9th approaching straight, kept on one pace from over 1f out, 6th of 11, 12l behind Zaralabad (11-0) at Limerick 2m stks gf in Jun.
