chased leaders, 6th halfway, pushed along in 7th 2f out, no impression over 1f out, kept on one pace
led, headed halfway, progress to dispute over 3f out and led briefly entering straight, ridden and headed 2f out, kept on under pressure to lead again 150 yards out, kept on well
raced in 8th, pushed along early straight and no extra over 1f out, eased inside final furlong
raced in 5th, ridden and progress to lead 2f out, strongly pressed and headed 150 yards out, under pressure and no impression on winner
raced in 7th, pushed along in rear entering straight, switched right under 2f out and some progress to go 6th early final furlong, kept on one pace
chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden in 6th early straight and no extra over 1f out, eased inside final furlong
tracked leader, 3rd halfway, ridden in 4th early straight and no impression 1f out, kept on under pressure into 3rd final 100 yards
towards rear, pushed along entering straight and progress to go 3rd 2f out, under pressure over 1f out and no extra inside final furlong
tracked leaders, ran freely, progress to lead halfway, joined over 3f out and headed entering straight, no extra under 2f out and eased final furlong
Hurricane Sky was in excellent form at this time a year ago completing a double. He's been tried over hurdles during the winter but failed to make an impact. Todd has two career victories to his credit, over this course and distance last May and over hurdles here last month so he obviously loves the track. Ibsen is a heavy ground specialist and though he hadn't shown much over hurdles during the winter he returned to Flat with a cracking run behind Black Spot On at Leopardstown last week. Naoise has won twice at Dundalk but has yet to be placed on Turf and it's a very long time since Hisaabaat was winning a Grade 1 over hurdles at Punchestown. WAYDOWNSOUTH was having his first start since October when a close fifth behind Bertimont over 1m2f at Leopardstown last month. He would have finished even closer but for being impeded at a crucial stage and is taken to make amends.
Fire Fighter (IRE) 8-11fav (8-5) In rear but in touch, headway to chase winner over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on and always held, 2nd of 5, 2 3/4l behind Colour Vision (8-5) at Pontefract 2m 2f cond Stakes (3) gf in Oct '11.
Hisaabaat (IRE) 20-1 (8-12) Mid-division, ridden and no impression over 2f out, kept on one pace, 14th of 30, 9l behind Montefeltro (9-4) at Curragh 2m hcp gd in Oct.
Raydari (FR) 8-1 (9-9) Soon mid-division, 10th approaching straight, no impression and kept on same pace from over 1f out, 9th of 14, 9l behind Ancient Sands (9-6) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp 60-85 pol in Oct.
Waydownsouth (IRE) 10-1 (8-8) Raced in 9th, pushed along approaching straight, 7th 1f out, switched right 100 yards out and kept on under pressure, 5th of 11, 2 1/2l behind Bertimont (8-11) at Leopardstown 1m 2f hcp in Mar.
Todd 20-1 (8-8) Soon chased leaders and a long way off the pace, poor 6th 6f out, no extra and kept on same pace from under 2f out, 9th of 16, 14l behind Quick Jack (9-0) at Navan 1m 5f hcp sft in Oct.
Pivot Bridge 4-1 (9-7) Chased leaders, ridden 4f out, soon weakened quickly, trailing from 2f out, eased over 1f out, tailed off, last of 10, well behind Regal Warrior (9-0) at Dundalk 1m 4f app hcp pol in Feb.
Cin Cin (IRE) 10-1 (9-4) Mid-division, 8th approaching straight, lost place and no extra from over 1f out, 13th of 14, 34l behind Vote Of Confidence (9-7) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp 50-75 pol in Oct.
Hurricane Sky (IRE) 9-4fav (9-13) Rear of mid-division, headway into 9th 2f out, ridden into 4th 1f out, kept on into 3rd close home, just held for 2nd, 3rd of 17, 3/4l behind Melanippe (8-5) at Fairyhouse 1m 4f hcp 47-65 gs in Jun.
Naoise (IRE) 12-1 (9-13) Rear of mid-division, towards rear halfway, ridden in 9th 2f out, no impression and kept on one pace, 8th of 13, 8l behind Parramatta (10-0) at Dundalk 1m 3f pol in Oct '12.
Ibsen (IRE) 7-1 (8-12) Settled towards rear, progress approaching straight and ridden to go 3rd under 2f out, went 2nd 1f out, edged left under pressure and challenged final 100 yards, just failed, 2nd of 11, ns behind Black Spot On (8-4) at Leopardstown 1m 6f hcp 47-75 hvy.
