chased leader, 2nd halfway, ridden and challenged entering straight, no extra in 2nd before last, kept on same pace
mid-division, slight mistakes 4th and 8th, ridden in 5th and no impression after 3 out, kept on from last to modetrate 3rd close home
chased leaders, 5th halfway, slight mistakes 7th and 8th, ridden and no impression after 3 out
always towards rear, ridden and no impression 3 out
held up early, mid-division in 7th halfway, mistake and unseated rider 8th
led, headed after 1st, chased leader, 3rd halfway, slight mistake 8th, ridden and no impression before straight, kept on one pace, lost 3rd close home
held up towards rear, fell 4 out
led after 1st, ridden and pressed entering straight, kept on well from before last, asserted run-in
chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden and no impression after 3 out, kept on one pace
mid-division, slightly slow 2nd, ridden in 6th and no impression after 3 out, pulled up before last
Blue Bicycle was placed at Down Royal on his second start over fences but that was back in April and MARVELLOUS MOMENT (NAP) has the more recent form. The latter went close at Tipperary earlier this month and Jim Culloty's charge looks sure to make another bold bid in this. Nimdani comes into the reckoning on his third at Sligo last month while Unic De Bersy makes his chasing bow and can figure if running up to the best of his hurdling form. Valentino's Choice ran well in a chase at Galway in September in between his more usual poor efforts.
Blue Bicycle (USA) 15-8fav (11-12) Chased leaders, 4th from 4th, closer order 4 out, 3rd 3 out, soon pushed along, slightly impeded 2 out where left 2nd, no impression and kept on same pace, 2nd of 8, 2 3/4l behind Rocky Wednesday (11-12) at Down Royal 2m 4f Yielding - Soft in Feb.
Exhibit Five (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) Impeded and slow jump 1st, soon in rear and jumped left at times, not fluent 4 out and no extra, 5th of 6, dist behind My Direction (11-11) at Gowran Park 2m 2f gd in Oct.
Marvellous Moment (IRE) 2-1fav (11-12) Soon led, slight mistake 4 out, ridden and pressed entering straight, kept on under pressure, jumped left last and soon headed, no extra run-in, kept on same pace, 2nd of 9, 2l behind Finish In Style (11-2) at Tipperary 2m 4f Yielding in Oct.
Mclaren Vale (IRE) 11-1 (10-7) Held up towards rear, progress 4 out, 5th after 3 out, ridden into 4th before 2 out, slight mistake 2 out, soon no impression and kept on one pace, 6th of 16, 22 3/4l behind Travel Ogue (10-9) at Tipperary 3m hcp Good - Yielding in Oct.
Moonlone Lane (IRE) 50-1 (10-11) Rear of mid-division, 10th halfway, ridden and no impression in 8th approaching 2 out, no extra, 7th of 12, 23 1/2l behind Eric The Third (11-6) at Tramore 2m hcp gd in Oct.
Nimdani (IRE) 9-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, 4th 3 out, ridden in 3rd next, kept on same pace in 3rd run-in, 3rd of 10, 8 1/2l behind Badgerfort (11-12) at Sligo 2m 2f Yielding in Sep.
Safe Home (IRE) 16-1 (11-12) Mid-division on outer, 8th halfway, dropped towards rear 4 out and no extra after next, 8th of 12, 33 1/2l behind Eric The Third (11-6) at Tramore 2m hcp gd in Oct.
Unic De Bersy (FR) 9-2fav (11-12) Mid-division, 8th after 8th, 6th 2 out where not fluent, some headway to 5th at last, kept on run-in to 4th, never nearer, 4th of 14, 13 1/4l behind Ma Garrett (10-11) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f mdn gd in Oct.
Valentino's Choice (IRE) 16-1 (11-12) Close up on outer, disputed at times, dropped to 5th 3 out, soon no extra and weakened, tailed off, 5th of 8, dist behind Waaheb (11-12) at Tipperary 2m 7f Yielding in Oct.
Marira (IRE) 25-1 (11-7) Tracked leader in 2nd, disputed after 2nd, led at 6th, jumped right 7th, headed after 3 out, no impression leader after 2 out, mistake last, no extra and dropped to 3rd, 3rd of 8, 32l behind Padraig's Joy (11-7) at Fairyhouse 2m 5f gd in Oct.
