towards rear, slight mistake 6th, ridden 3 out, soon no extra
chased leaders, moderate 3rd from 4 out, ridden to close from 2 out, no impression and kept on same pace run-in
chased leaders, moderate 4th 4 out, struggling approaching straight, soon no impression
led and soon clear, reduced lead 4th, went on again after 6th, not fluent 5 out, ridden and headed approaching straight, dropped to 4th and no extra from last, kept on same pace
chased leader, slight mistake 3rd, led approaching straight, not fluent 2 out, stayed on well under pressure run-in
chased leaders, keen hold, moderate 6th and no extra from 3 out
towards rear, moderate 5th from 3 out, ridden to go 2nd from last and kept on without getting to winner
The progressive Abbey Lane is proving very versatile having scored over 2m2f at Gowran amd 3m1f at Perth. Both of those victories were on fast ground and her double penalties suggest this is a tough task against AUGHALOOR. Willie Mullins' charge, a bumper winner last March, made a very promising start over timber at Fairyhouse on New Year's Day and, though the placed horses have been beaten subsequently, there's much more to come from the former point-to-pointer. A line through Lord Redsgirth, placed behind the selection and Bayross last time, gives the latter a big chance here as his surprise victory over the Mullins hot-pot Sous Les Cieux was by no means a fluke and he'll love the testing conditions. Profit Margin didn't quite last out 2m6f at Thurles last time and will be more at home over this trip.
Abbey Lane (IRE) 4-7fav (11-5) Tracked leaders, led approaching and hit 2 out, not fluent last, kept on well, won at Perth 3m nh nov hdl (4) gf in Jun beating Kembla Grange (10-7) by 2l, 7 ran.
Aughaloor (IRE) 5-2 (11-12) Settled in mid-division on inner, 7th halfway, went 5th 2 out, challenged on inner at last, led early run-in and stayed on well, comfortably, won at Fairyhouse 2m 4f mdn hdl beating Lord Redsgirth (11-7) by 1 1/2l, 13 ran.
Bayross (IRE) 33-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, 6th halfway, headway into 2nd after 3 out, led before 2 out, ridden and kept on well from before last, won at Fairyhouse 2m 4f Maiden Hurdle (4-6yo) hvy beating Sous Les Cieux (11-9) by 2 1/2l, 16 ran.
Profit Margin (IRE) 8-1 (11-2) Led, ridden entering straight, headed 2 out, soon no impression, 3rd of 6, 12l behind Bishopsfurze (11-5) at Thurles 2m 6f nov hdl.
Smokey Joe Joe (IRE) 12-1 (11-6) Chased leaders, led 3rd, ridden and challenged 3 out, headed entering straight, no extra and weakened, tailed off, 7th of 9, well behind Aughnacurraveel (11-10) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f nh nov hdl in Nov.
Days Hotel (IRE) 2-1 (12-0) Mid div, 5th travelling well 1/2way, disp 6out until 2nd 4out & rddn bef 3out, wknd bef 2out, 4th of 10, 7l behind Maggie's Boy (12-0) at Avaune 3m ire ptp gs in Dec.
Sheer Genius (IRE) 6-1 (11-12) Towards rear, closed into 7th 3 out, 6th before straight, ridden in moderate 4th before 2 out, soon no impression, 3rd and kept on same pace from last, 3rd of 16, 7l behind Big Secret (11-12) at Limerick 2m mdn hdl sft in Dec.
