tracked leader, 4th at 6th, 3rd 4 out, progress to 2nd after 4 out, not fluent 3 out, soon 3rd, switched left 2 out, slightly hampered run-in, ridden and kept on to 2nd close home, not trouble winner
rear of mid-division, took closer order after 4th, 5th at 6th, switched left and closed 3 out, almost on terms 2 out, led before last where not fluent, asserted run-in, comfortably
prominent, closed at 5th, disputed at 6th, led narrowly after 7th, niggled along before 3 out, mistake 2 out, soon ridden, headed before last, one paced run-in and dropped to 3rd close home
soon led, not fluent at 4th, joined at 6th where not fluent, headed after 7th, weakened after 4 out
close up on inner, 3rd at 6th, 4th 4 out, pushed along after 3 out, no impression on leaders, ridden after 2 out, one paced run-in
mid-division, 6th at 6th where jumped right, 7th 4 out, no impression after 3 out, no extra before last
towards rear, 8th at 6th, progress on inner before 8th, 6th 4 out, ridden and no impression after 3 out, moderate 5th before last where not fluent, one paced
rear, 10th at 6th, no impression after 3 out, never a factor
rear, 9th at 6th, pushed along and progress on outer before 3 out, no impression on leaders in 5th 2 out where not fluent, dropped to moderate 6th before last, one paced
rear of mid-division, not fluent at 2nd, soon towards rear, 7th at 6th, dropped to rear and niggled along after 8th, under pressure after 4 out, weakened after 3 out
DOCTOR DUFFY won at Cork in October on his fifth run in a bumper. He’d been placed three times previously and Charles Byrnes has found a good opportunity for his gelding, a full brother to useful winning hurdler Flash The Steel, to make a winning start over timber. Abyssinian won twice on the level for Aidan O’Brien and has been passed on to Joseph. He does have a very long absence to overcome but that isn’t always a negative for one from his yard. Chasing Abbey was second three times in bumpers last summer while Room To Roam looks the pick of those with jumping experience.
Abyssinian (IRE) 8-13fav (9-6) Made all, soon clear, reduced advantage 4f out, pushed along 3f out, ridden over 2f out, pressed 1 1/2f out, soon drifted left towards rail, kept on strongly to pull clear inside final furlong, eased close home, won at Killarney 1m 3f sft in Aug beating Sea Swift (9-5) by 3 3/4l, 5 ran.
Doctor Duffy (IRE) 10-11fav (11-7) In rear, closer order 6f out, progress to chase leader straight, on terms 2f out, led over 1f out, stayed on well, won at Cork 2m 3f gd in Oct beating First Approach (12-0) by 2 1/2l, 6 ran.
Room To Roam (IRE) 33-1 (10-13) Soon mid-division, 8th approaching halfway, soon headway, one pace 2 out, 8th of 15, dist behind Try Again (10-11) at Leopardstown 2m hcp Good - Yielding in Dec.
Alvito (FR) 7-1 (11-11) Mid-div, 4th 1/2way, mstk 9th, no ex in mod 5th bef 2out, left poor 3rd at last where fell, at Quakerstown 3m mdn gd in Apr.
Chasing Abbey (IRE) 3-1 (11-9) Tracked leaders, pushed along briefly on downhill bend after about 6f, chased winner and kept on same pace from 3f out, 2nd of 8, 14l behind Hammerstein (11-9) at Tramore 2m gd in Aug.
Clouncerna (IRE) 66-1 (11-12) In rear, detached at 9th, no headway, never a factor, pulled up before 11th, at Cork 3m mdn Good - Yielding in Apr.
Django Dancer (FR) Balko gelding out of Fleur Du Rheu.
Four Country Roads (IRE) 40-1 (12-0) Rear of mid-division, no impression from 4f out, never a factor, 12th of 17, dist behind Longhouse Poet (12-0) at Punchestown 2m 2f Good - Yielding in May.
Gangsters Paradise (IRE) 100-1 (11-12) Rear of mid-division best, hampered at 3rd, slight mistake 6th, never a factor, 19th of 24, dist behind Dream Conti (11-12) at Naas 2m 3f mdn Yielding in Jan.
Rising Phoenix (IRE) Sandmason M out of Star Brook.
