awkward and lost a little ground away from stalls and pushed along briefly, waited with in rear, some headway over 4f out, pushed along approaching straight, kept on same pace without threatening from over 1f out
chased leaders, soon 5th, 6th approaching straight, soon some headway on inner, pushed along from 2f out, one pace 1f out
prominent, soon chased leader in 2nd, pushed along approaching straight, no impression over 1f out
chased leaders, soon 4th, some headway over 4f out, soon 3rd, lost position from 2f out, soon slightly impeded and switched right, no impression over 1f out
mid-division, soon 6th, 5th approaching straight and headway on outer and pushed along, edged slightly left under 2f out, challenged and on terms inside final furlong, kept on well without matching winner and just denied at the finish
prominent, soon chased leaders in 3rd, 4th approaching straight, soon headway and effort, challenged and on terms inside final furlong, stayed on well to just prevail at the finish
mid-division, soon 7th, 8th approaching straight and pushed along, kept on same pace without threatening from over 1f out
a little slow into stride and pushed along briefly, waited with, soon towards rear, pushed along again and one pace from 2f out
soon led and went on, pushed along early straight and soon reduced lead, headed inside final furlong, soon no extra in 3rd and one pace
waited with, soon towards rear, closer in 7th approaching straight, pushed along from 2f out, no impression over 1f out
Anna Bunina completed a double over hurdles last summer and won four times on Turf in the UK though was well beaten on her only all-weather start at Wolverhampton. TOWER OF PISA didn't have much to beat on just her second start in a maiden here in December but the €200,000 daughter of Golden Horn could hardly have been more impressive and can make a winning handicap debut. The stable also run the much more experienced Bluebeard's Castle, who made all for his second track victory in December and has Hugh Horgan's claim to aid his cause. Swift Verdict finished 16 lengths behind the latter in a track and trip maiden in November but that wasn't his form as he showed with an easy victory on a return visit last month while Pempie was carrying a big weight when successful last month, though has an 11lb rise to contend with.
Anna Bunina (FR) 40-1 (11-0) Rear of mid-division, 8th halfway, pushed along and some headway in 6th before straight, 5th and ridden approaching last, no impression and kept on one pace, 5th of 10, 11l behind Gauloise (10-10) at Thurles 2m lst (1) sft in Dec.
Tower Of Pisa (FR) 10-11fav (9-2) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, headway when slightly hampered 2f out, soon led and pushed along to assert 1f out, drew clear inside final furlong, very easily, won at Dundalk 1m 3f pol in Dec beating Palace Rock (9-7) by 6 1/2l, 13 ran.
Next In Line (IRE) 28-1 (10-9) Mid-division, hampered 1st, ridden and no impression last, soon no extra, 10th of 18, dist behind French Aseel (11-2) at Leopardstown 2m mdn sft in Dec.
Swift Verdict 11-4 (9-9) Settled behind leaders, progress in 3rd 3f out, challenged and edged slightly left 2f out, soon ridden and disputed, led 1 1/2f out, kept on well final furlong, won at Dundalk 1m 4f mdn pol in Jan beating Dances With Stars (9-9) by 5l, 13 ran.
Pempie (IRE) 13-2 (10-2) Mid-division, progress on outer 2f out, ridden to challenge 1 1/2f out, led over 1f out, kept on well final furlong, won at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp pol in Jan beating Empire Street (9-9) by 1 1/4l, 14 ran.
The Mouse Doctor (IRE) 5-2fav (10-1) Soon chased leaders, 5th halfway, no impression and tight for room briefly under 2f out, one pace, 8th of 14, 9 3/4l behind Hannon (9-9) at Dundalk 2m hcp pol in Dec.
Anyonecanhaveitall 33-1 (10-0) Mid-division, 8th halfway, pushed along entering straight, ridden and no impression 1 1/2f out, no extra, 11th of 14, 8 1/4l behind Glorious Zoff (9-5) at Dundalk 1m 4f pol in Jan.
Harvest Bow (IRE) 100-1 (8-6) Pushed along briefly early, towards rear, pushed along again on outer into straight and some headway, one pace over 1f out, 9th of 13, 6 1/4l behind Construct (8-12) at Dundalk 2m pol in Nov.
Pak Army (IRE) 12-1 (11-7) Held up, mainly mid-division, ridden in 6th before 2 out, left 4th 2 out, no impression before last, kept on one pace, 4th of 11, 5 3/4l behind Shakeytry (12-0) at Tramore 2m hcp Soft - Heavy in Jan.
Chaparral Dream (IRE) 66-1 (9-5) Always towards rear, pushed along in rear approaching straight, no extra from 2f out, never a factor, last of 14, 16 1/2l behind Glorious Zoff (9-5) at Dundalk 1m 4f pol in Jan.
Bluebeard's Castle (USA) 11-2 (9-1) Soon led, ridden and edged left final furlong, kept on well to just hold on at the finish, won at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp pol in Dec beating Tartlette (8-9) by hd, 9 ran.
