disputed lead, led 3 out, soon ridden, headed approaching 2 out, mistake 2 out and soon 3rd, moderate 3rd when mistake again at last, no impression
tracked leaders on outer, slight mistake 4 out, ridden next, moderate 5th entering straight, no impression
held up in last, closer 6th after 3 out, ridden and headway into 2nd 2 out, no impression on winner before last, kept on same pace run-in, not trouble winner
disputed lead, ridden and headed 3 out, soon weakened and pulled up before next
held up towards rear, closer in 4th after 3 out, soon ridden, no impression straight
tracked leaders, ridden from 5 out, soon dropped behind and no impression
tracked leaders on inner, went 3rd 4 out, headway to lead travelling well approaching 2 out, jumped slightly right 2 out and soon stretched clear, jumped slightly right again at last, stayed on strongly, not extended, easily
Ballela Boy won a Downpatrick maiden in convincing style and was taking on much better class at Galway a couple of weeks later. Hunters Call has looked a bit temperamental though has plenty of ability as he showed when last seen at Naas a year ago but Notwhatiam gained his only success on very testing ground so further rain would aid his cause. Cotton Jenny looked one to follow when winning at Cork in May but she's been very disappointing subsequently while Side Saddle couldn't handle the step up to Grade 3 company after landing her maiden on heavy going at Fairyhouse. Theatre Princess, six times a winner between the flags, has been well beaten in a couple of starts over hurdles so the vote goes to CRACK TIEPY. Willie Mullins' import from France won over fences there in June and her allowances could prove invaluable in the likely testing ground.
Ballela Boy (IRE) 9-1 (11-9) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, slight mistake 7th, mistake 2 out, pushed along and dropped to 4th before last, no extra run-in, 7th of 9, 11 1/2l behind She's A Star (10-9) at Galway 2m 4f Yielding in Oct.
Hunters Call (IRE) 4-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, headway into 2nd entering straight, wandered around slightly on outer approaching 2 out, ridden to lead before last, attempted to run out at last, soon clear and flicked tail run-in, stayed on strongly, comfortably, won at Naas 2m mdn Yielding - Soft in Nov beating Macbride (11-12) by 5l, 11 ran.
Moonshine Lad (IRE) 50-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, mistake and unseated rider 4th, at Punchestown 2m 4f sft in Nov.
Cotton Jenny (IRE) 20-1 (11-3) Tracked leaders, not fluent 1st, 3rd halfway, reminders before 9th, lost place 4 out, no extra in 6th approaching 2 out, tailed off, 6th of 8, dist behind Abbey Magic (11-3) at Wexford 2m 4f gd in Oct.
Side Saddle (IRE) 33-1 (10-9) Chased leader, disputed from 7th, ridden in 3rd and no extra 4 out, weakened before next, pulled up before 2 out, at Clonmel 2m 6f (1) hvy in Feb.
Theatre Princess (IRE) 1-5 (12-1) Ld, mstk 5th, 3l adv when mstk 3out, rdn bef 2out where mstk & hdd, sn no ch with easy wnr, eased, 2nd of 3, 12l behind Gabrielleamee (12-1) at Kinsale 3m gd in Jun.
Crack Tiepy (FR) (10-5) 3rd of 9, 1 1/4l behind Class Conti (10-10) at Auteuil 2m 1f hvy in Jun.
Notwhatiam (IRE) 20-1 (11-12) Led, headed 3 out, ridden in 3rd entering straight, no impression 2 out, under pressure in 4th before last, left 3rd last, kept on same pace, 3rd of 8, 6 1/2l behind Miss Me Now (11-5) at Clonmel 2m Yielding in Nov.
