made all, clear after 3rd, slightly reduced advantage before 6th, reduced advantage 4 out, pressed 3 out, ridden to assert before last, kept on well
ran freely early, soon chased leaders in 3rd, 2nd from 5th, slight mistake 6th, closed on leader 4 out, challenged 3 out, soon ridden in 2nd, kept on under pressure, no impression from last, kept on same pace
chased leaders early, dropped to rear at 3rd, trailing before 5th, no impression before 4 out, moderate 4th 3 out, tailed off
chased leader, slight mistake 2nd, 3rd from 5th, dropped to moderate 4th 4 out, soon no impression, rear 3 out, tailed off
held up, 4th from 3rd, progress into 3rd before 6th, closer 4 out and slight mistake, ridden to challenge 3 out, under pressure in 3rd before next, kept on same pace, slight mistake last
Favourites have a very good record in this and LISTEN DEAR should keep up the sequence. Willie Mullins' mare has won her last two races over timber by a combined 34 lengths, including a Grade 3 here in October and, though absent since then, will be ready for this. The four-year-old Tocororo had no problems landing the odds at Ballinrobe though her path was cleared when her two main rivals departed. Gordon Elliott's filly is very progressive and her allowance can enable her to get competitive. The Nutcracker was conceding 7lb to Isabella Liberty when scoring narrowly at Ballinrobe but has a bit more to do while Cotton Jenny failed to stay 2m3f at Kilbeggan after a very easy victory over this trip at Cork. Credo Star beat The Nutcracker narrowly at Wexford last April, though is probably better over further.
Listen Dear (IRE) 7-4fav (10-10) Made all, clear throughout, extended lead after 4 out, travelling well when not fluent 2 out, stayed on strongly from last, eased inside final furlong, impressive, won at Down Royal 2m (1) Yielding in Oct beating Colla Pier (10-10) by 16l, 8 ran.
The Nutcracker (IRE) 9-1 (11-7) Mid-division, 7th 3 out, headway after next, ridden in 2nd before last, led at last, stayed on well run-in, won at Ballinrobe 2m hcp gd in May beating Isabella Liberty (11-0) by 1/2l, 12 ran.
Credo Star (IRE) 11-2 (11-9) Soon chased leaders, pushed along 3 out, headway on outer into straight, slight mistake 2 out, no impression when badly hampered last, one pace, 4th of 7, 10 3/4l behind Getoutwhenyoucan (11-2) at Wexford 2m 4f sft in Mar.
Cotton Jenny (IRE) 7-4fav (11-9) Tracked leader in 2nd, 4th after 3rd, 3rd at 5th, closer in 3rd after 3 out, 2nd after 2 out, driven and dropped to 3rd approaching straight, weakened to 5th before last, no extra, 5th of 8, 19 3/4l behind Fu's Island (11-9) at Kilbeggan 2m 3f gd in Jun.
Tocororo (IRE) 4-9fav (11-0) Tracked leader in 2nd, travelling well and improved to lead after 2 out, went clear approaching last, stayed on strongly run-in, easily, won at Ballinrobe 2m gd in May beating Satnav Sally (10-7) by dist, 6 ran.
