soon tracked leader in 2nd, ridden in 2nd after 3 out, under pressure in 2nd when slight mistake at last, stayed on well final furlong and improved to lead close home
always behind, mistake 5 out and ridden, trailing when refused 3 out
tracked leaders in 4th, mistake and almost unseated rider 5 out, rider lost irons and pulled up before next
held up in rear, some progress 3 out, went moderate 4th and pushed along 2 out, kept on same pace on outer after last
tracked leaders in 5th, ridden and no impression from 4 out
tracked leaders in 3rd, ridden in 3rd after 3 out, kept on same pace run-in
held up towards rear, 6th 6 out, ridden and no impression from 3 out
soon led, clear 2 out, soon ridden, reduced advantage after last, no extra and headed inside final furlong
Sounds Of Thunder, a winner over hurdles at Fairyhouse last week, has her attentions turned to jumping fences after 46 career starts under Rules and one between the flags. She's unlikely to have much scope unlike HURRY KITTY, a winning bumper and hurdler who made a promising start over fences behind Westerner Point at Sligo where a couple of mistakes put paid to her chances. Liz Doyle's mare gets the vote though the experience of Battling Boru should stand him in good stead and he's been competing at a higher level. Drumhart just failed to peg back Sister Annie over this trip at Downpatrick and a similar effort will see her in the firing-line while the four-year-old Mustadrik is an interesting newcomer to fences.
Battling Boru (IRE) 16-1 (11-12) Led and disputed, slight mistake 4th, ridden and headed before straight, no extra in 3rd before 2 out, 4th before last, 4th of 8, 20 1/2l behind Waaheb (11-12) at Tipperary 2m 7f Yielding in Oct.
Deadly Catch (IRE) 33-1 (11-12) Always towards rear, no impression from 4 out, 10th of 12, dist behind Sister Annie (11-5) at Downpatrick 2m 2f gd in Sep.
Drumhart (IRE) 9-1 (11-12) Mid-division, 8th with a circuit to race, 6th after 3 out and improved to challenge from last, ridden inside final 150 yards and kept on well without matching winner, 2nd of 12, hd behind Sister Annie (11-5) at Downpatrick 2m 2f gd in Sep.
O'donoghue's Opera (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, slight mistake 3rd, mistake 6th, 3rd halfway, ridden in 5th 3 out, soon no impression, kept on one pace, 6th of 9, 27 1/4l behind Finish In Style (11-2) at Tipperary 2m 4f Yielding in Oct.
Saint Elm (FR) 50-1 (11-10) Towards rear, progress from 4 out and 8th before next, soon ridden and every chance run-in, no extra inside final 150 yards, 6th of 12, 5 1/4l behind Sister Annie (11-5) at Downpatrick 2m 2f gd in Sep.
Hurry Kitty (IRE) 8-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, 2nd 4 out, ridden in 3rd after 2 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 8, 6 1/4l behind Westerner Point (11-12) at Sligo 2m 5f Yielding in Sep.
Sounds Of Thunder 10-1 (11-11) Settled 4th, 3rd at 6th, 4th after 7th, headway to 2nd 3 out, disputed at last, ridden and kept on well, all out, just held on, won at Fairyhouse 2m 4f hcp gd in Oct beating Afram Blue (11-0) by ns, 16 ran.
Mustadrik (USA) 10-1 (9-10) Soon mid-division, 10th before straight, kept on same pace from after 2 out, 7th of 17, 8 1/4l behind Misty Lady (11-1) at Gowran Park 3m hcp gd in Oct.
