tracked leaders, slight mistake 3rd, ridden to lead 2 out, soon strongly pressed, headed after last, kept on same pace in 3rd inside final furlong
in rear, last 4 out, moderate 6th and pushed along 2 out, kept on without threatening run-in
in rear and took keen hold, progress into mid-division at 4th, no impression from 3 out, soon behind
prominent, led from 2nd, ridden and headed 2 out, weakened run-in
led early, headed 2nd, ridden in 2nd after 2 out, improved to lead after last, stayed on well under pressure inside final furlong, strongly pressed close home
held up towards rear, closer in 4th after 3 out, close 4th and ridden at last, went 3rd after last, headway into 2nd inside final furlong, stayed on well close home, just failed
tracked leaders, saddle slipped forward and pulled up after 3rd
tracked leaders, 4 out, ridden along in 5th 2 out, soon no impression
Sarwistan began well in bumpers last year but has gone backwards while Banker Burke has a penalty to carry for his victory on the Flat two years ago. The latter still has some decent form to his credit over timber, however, and looks the likely alternative to JOHN MONASH. Gordon Elliott's charge made too many mistakes when well supported at Fairyhouse on Saturday but that was only his second start over timber and he should have the scope to take this. His stablemate End of Line was useful on the Flat in the UK but was beaten a long way on his hurdling debut at Cork.
Banker Burke (IRE) 9-1 (11-2) Soon tracked leaders, slight mistake 3rd, soon raced in 5th, pushed along from 3 out, one pace next, 7th of 14, 9l behind Wild Fern (11-3) at Gowran Park 2m hcp gd in Oct.
End of Line 11-1 (11-7) Took keen hold, soon mid-division, 8th from 3rd, not fluent 5th, no impression approaching straight, soon weakened, completely tailed off, 15th of 17, dist behind Roconga (11-12) at Cork 2m mdn gd in Aug.
Black Bart (IRE) 33-1 (11-4) Always in rear, no headway, never a factor, last of 15, dist behind Billbushay (11-4) at Fairyhouse 2m mdn gd in Oct.
Ciaoifsin (IRE) 33-1 (12-0) Chased leaders, improved to lead after 4f, disputed after 6f, headed 7f out, ridden and no extra over 5f out, weakened and completely tailed off, 6th of 7, dist behind Lieutenant (12-0) at Tipperary 2m 4f Good - Yielding in Oct.
Sarwistan (IRE) 8-1 (8-4) Held up in rear, never a factor, pushed along approaching straight and no impression 2f out, no extra, 10th of 11, 17 3/4l behind Ebadani (10-0) at Galway 1m 4f hcp Yielding in Aug.
John Monash 9-4fav (11-3) Tracked leader in 2nd, 3rd at 5th, improved to 2nd 2 out where not fluent, no impression leader, dropped to 3rd at last where not fluent, soon 4th, kept on same pace, 4th of 15, 14 3/4l behind Billbushay (11-4) at Fairyhouse 2m mdn gd in Oct.
Zagnzig (IRE) 25-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, 3rd with a circuit to race, short of room on inner over 6f out, soon ridden and weakened, stumbled badly over 2f out, 9th of 10, dist behind Whizzzey Rascal (11-3) at Downpatrick 2m 2f gd in Sep.
Patty Paige (IRE) 20-1 (8-9) Slowly into stride and always rear, pushed along and detached approaching straight, kept on one pace early straight, no extra final furlong, last of 7, 12 3/4l behind Master Of Time (9-5) at Dundalk 1m hcp pol in Feb.
