soon chased leaders, 4th 5 out, no impression and kept on same pace from before 3 out
soon prominent, led into straight, clear 3 out, stayed on strongly, easily
waited with, no extra under pressure from before 4 out
soon raced in moderate 4th, 5th 5 out, niggled along next, no impression into straight, kept on same pace
towards rear, struggling from 4 out, soon no impression
towards rear, mistake 4 out, moderate 6th into straight, kept on same pace
keen hold, soon clear leader until headed into straight, no impression and kept on same pace from 3 out
chased leaders, 3rd for much, struggling when slight peck and kept on same pace from 3 out
An excellent turnout and Won In The Dark finally got back in the winners' enclosure after a long absence when landing a similar race over 2m4f at Killarney last week though he may find this on the short side. New Phase loves this track and trip though his victories have come on soft ground and he ran poorly on the Flat last month when returning from a break. Savello looked a nice prospect at the backend of last year but hasn't progressed as expected but SIMENON, who won on heavy ground here in January, ran as well as could be expected in the Grade 1 Champion Novice Hurdle at Punchestown and has the scope to take this. Gimli's Rock hasn't won over hurdles since landing a Grade 2 at Down Royal in November 2010 but he's won on the Flat and over fences subsequently so has to be taken seriously.
New Phase (IRE) 11-4 (11-2) Held up in rear, off pace 3 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace from 2 out, 5th of 8, 10l behind Mikael D'Haguenet (11-2) at Fairyhouse 2m hdl sft in Dec.
Simenon (IRE) 16-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders in 4th, went 3rd and ridden 2 out, no impression on leaders before last, 3rd of 5, 8l behind Alderwood (11-12) at Punchestown 2m nov hdl G2 (1) gs in Apr.
Won In The Dark (IRE) 5-2fav (11-0) Keen hold, tracked leaders, on terms approaching straight, soon led, headed 3 out, rallied and on terms again last, edged ahead and stayed on best run-in, won at Killarney 2m 4f hdl gd beating Flycorn (11-6) by 1/2l, 7 ran.
Gimli's Rock (IRE) 5-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, ridden after 3 out, steadied into last, stayed on well under pressure run-in to lead close home, won at Limerick 2m 1f beg chs beating Rockshandy (11-5) by 3/4l, 13 ran.
Perfect Smile (IRE) 12-1 (11-5) Always towards rear, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Lucky William (11-10) at Fairyhouse 2m 1f nov chs gs in Apr, 17 ran.
Total Excitement (IRE) 9-2 (11-12) Chased leader, well off pace in 2nd, closed from before 3 out, no extra from next, 7th of 9, 37l behind Cavite Beta (11-12) at Gowran Park 2m 4f hdl gd in Sep.
Dazzling Susie (IRE) 10-1 (11-1) Keen hold in rear, no impression under pressure and kept on same pace from before straight, 8th of 10, 21l behind Noras Fancy (11-4) at Limerick 2m mares listed nov hdl (1) hvy in Mar.
Knockcroghery (IRE) 12-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, no extra early straight, weakened, 15th of 17, well behind Satu (10-13) at Cork 2m hcp hdl 8Evens16 gd in Apr.
Savello (IRE) 33-1 (11-8) Led, joined 3 out, ridden and headed next, weakened, eased from last, 15th of 25, well behind Snap Tie (11-9) at Punchestown 2m hcp hdl gs in Apr.
