led, headed after 5th, fell heavily 6th
settled behind leaders, 4th halfway, ridden in 3rd after 3 out, no impression 2 out, kept on one pace
settled behind leaders early, left 3rd 6th, 2nd halfway, improved to lead after 3 out, asserted before last, shaken up briefly run-in, easily
always behind, no impression from 5 out
chased leaders early, 6th from 6th, pushed along after halfway, ridden and no impression 4 out, kept on one pace
chased leaders, mistakes 1st and 2nd, led after 5th, ridden and headed after 3 out, soon no extra and weakened approaching next
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
It's just over a year since PASSAGE VENDOME was finishing second in a Grade 3 at Tipperary. He hasn't really taken to fences since but should get back to winning ways here if anywhere near his best. The danger may be Hit The Headlines, who has also been chasing but hasn't raced since March. Gentleman Duke won a Sligo maiden hurdle in August and was third over fences at Listowel last month so should at least make the frame as none of the others have shown much lately.
Cnoc Na Sioga (IRE) 20-1 (10-1) Soon mid-division, 8th approaching 4 out, no impression from next, 10th of 14, 25l behind Liberty's Gift (10-11) at Tipperary 2m hcp hdl gd.
Hit The Headlines (IRE) 9-2 (11-12) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, 2nd 3 out, challenged before straight, led before 2 out, headed 2 out and ridden, no extra in 2nd last, lost 2nd run-in, 3rd of 15, 9l behind Burn And Turn (11-5) at Limerick 2m 1f beg chs sft in May.
Passage Vendome (FR) 9-2 (11-12) Tracked leaders and 4th halfway, good headway to lead 3 out, 2 lengths advantage when lost footing on landing after last and fell, remounted to finish, 10th of 12, well behind Nearest The Pin (11-12) at Ballinrobe 2m 1f beg chs gd in Sep.
Volkis O'blue (FR) 20-1 (11-5) Prominent early, 6th halfway, ridden in 8th after 4 out, moderate 5th entering straight, kept on one pace, 3rd of 15, 45l behind Unoccupied (11-9) at Thurles 2m 6f hcp hdl 80-95 hvy in Feb.
Whisky Galore 16-1 (11-12) Prominent, disputed lead briefly 6th, soon headed, 2nd 4 out, soon ridden, weakened before 2 out, 6th of 15, well behind Indian Outlook (11-12) at Sligo 2m 1f beg chs hvy.
Alghanem (IRE) 50-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, 8th into straight, soon no impression, kept on same pace, 7th of 16, 16l behind Run With The Wind (11-12) at Listowel 2m 1f beg chs in Sep.
Gentleman Duke (IRE) 16-1 (11-9) Tracked leaders, 3rd 2 out, soon no impression, kept on same pace, 3rd of 16, 5l behind Minella For Value (11-12) at Listowel 2m 4f beg chs in Sep.
