tracked leaders, soon 4th, mistake final hurdle, soon no impression, weakened
chased leaders, soon 5th, slightly awkward final hurdle, soon under pressure, chased front pair and one pace from 1f out
held up, soon towards rear, reminders 4th, soon no danger, completely tailed off
soon mid-division, not fluent 7th and no extra, weakened from before last
prominent, 2nd for much, challenged into straight, on terms over 1f out, soon led and asserted, stayed on well
held up, soon towards rear, no impression approaching final hurdle, weakened, completely tailed off
soon led, pressed from before straight, headed over 1f out, soon no extra and lost place, one pace
mid-division early, soon chased leaders in 6th, progress approaching final hurdle, challenged and on terms briefly over 1f out, not match winner and kept on same pace inside final furlong
prominent, 3rd for much, closed approaching final hurdle, soon challenged, chased front pair and one pace from 1f out
held up, soon towards rear, slight mistake 4th and pushed along briefly, soon no danger, completely tailed off
Albert Bartlett entry Ballyward won a bumper over this trip at this fixture a year ago by a very long way and looks a smart prospect for hurdling. He'll make a bold bid though this this isn't the easiest of maidens. MORTAL (NAP) won a Limerick bumper in March and showed the benefit of his opening run over timber with a cracking effort at Gowran where he had just been headed by the useful Carter McKay when falling at the last. Providing he's no worse for that mishap he can make amends. Massey's Wood easily won a bumper on heavy going before failing to lad the odds on his hurdling bow at Roscommon though the winner, Burren Hill, is quite well regarded. Someday has come up against some classy opposition and hasn't been disgraced while Cherokee Bill defied several mistakes to finish a very good third at Fairyhouse and a better round of jumping would see him in the firing-line.
All Good Things (IRE) 25-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, ridden and no impression approaching 2 out, kept on one pace to go moderate 3rd closing stages, 3rd of 14, 11l behind Suitor (11-12) at Limerick 2m mdn sft in Dec.
Ballyward (IRE) 9-10fav (11-10) Prominent, 3rd after halfway, 2nd from 3f out, on terms before straight travelling smoothly, soon led but quickly pressed, ridden to assert from 1 1/2f out, soon clear and stayed on well, won at Leopardstown 2m 4f Yielding in Dec beating Drumconnor Lad (12-0) by 16l, 9 ran.
Captain Commander (IRE) 66-1 (12-0) Led, joined and disputed 6f out, 2nd 3f out, ridden and no extra 2f out, last of 9, 29 1/2l behind Holding Pattern (11-7) at Thurles 2m Good - Yielding in Oct.
Cherokee Bill 16-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, ridden in 5th after 3 out, moderate 4th 2 out, 4th at last, kept on without threatening to go 3rd near line, 3rd of 16, 5 1/4l behind Mount Hanover (11-4) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f mdn hvy in Dec.
Dicey O'reilly (IRE) 7-2 (11-12) Close up, progress to 2nd at 5th, 3rd 3 out where mistake, weakened before 2 out where not fluent, soon no extra in moderate 4th, 4th of 11, dist behind Articulum (11-12) at Cork 2m mdn Soft - Heavy in Nov.
Gemmattymoll (IRE) 50-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, close enough in 5th when brought down 3 out, at Fairyhouse 2m 2f mdn sft in Dec.
Massey's Wood 10-11fav (11-12) Soon tracked leader, pushed along briefly approaching straight, challenged and on terms 3 out, headed from next and soon one pace, 2nd of 8, 10l behind Burren Life (11-4) at Roscommon 2m 4f mdn hvy in Sep.
Mortal (IRE) 5-1 (11-12) Led, slight mistake 3rd, pressed straight, marginally headed when fell last, at Gowran Park 2m mdn hvy in Nov.
Someday 2-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, improved into close 3rd on outer when fell 3 out, at Fairyhouse 2m 2f mdn sft in Dec.
Sonowyouno (IRE) 25-1 (11-12) Mid-division, moderate 8th 3 out, kept on same pace, 7th of 25, 30 1/4l behind Discorama (11-9) at Fairyhouse 2m 2f mdn sft in Dec.
