tracked leaders, weakened approaching 3 out
held up, pushed along after 6th, no impression from 2 out
mid-division, not fluent 7th, weakened 4 out
made all, stayed on well from last
held up on touch, tracked leaders, 3 out, ridden and every chance last, no extra
tracked leaders, weakened 3 out
prominent, well held and disputing 3rd when fell last
held up, weakened 4 out
always towards rear
always behind
towards rear, headway 3 out, soon chasing leaders, one pace
Winning Irish pointer Aghill has to be of interest on his rules debut but having run to a decent level of form in National Hunt flat races including in the festival bumper at Cheltenham behind Dunguib, MEATH ALL STAR looks the one to beat despite having disappointed on his hurdling debut at Punchestown last month with the main danger rated as Dooney Rock. Niall Moran's gelding has shown gradual improvement in his four starts in bumpers in Ireland and has to be considered on his hurdling debut. The last mentioned makes more appeal Sue Bradburne's Rossini's Dancer who has been running well on the flat of late but lacks any experience over hurdles and is far from certain to stay this far. Howard Johnson's Hold Fast was well held on his only start in a bumper and is readily opposed in a race taken to go to Meath All Star, who can further frank the form of the Cheltenham festival bumper.
Aghill (IRE) 7-1 (12-0) Fell 6th, in a race won by Digger Barnes (12-0) at Maralin 3m ire ptp sft in Oct, 18 ran.
Dooney Rock (IRE) 9-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, 4th 6f out, headway to challenge and dispute lead approaching straight, 2nd 2f out, no impression on winner from 1f out, kept on, 2nd of 15, 4 1/2l behind Better Times (11-11) at Wexford 2m N H flat sft in Oct.
Harbour Way 100-1 (10-12) Mid-division, lost place 3 out, soon behind, 9th of 11, well behind Soft Spoken Guy (10-9) at Hexham 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gs.
Hold Fast (IRE) 5-2fav (11-4) Held up mid-division, weakened final furlong, 6th of 12, 14l behind Flaygray (11-4) at Perth 2m NH flat (6) gf in Sep.
Manitoba 14-1 (10-12) In touch, jumped slowly and lost place 6th, behind and reminders next, soon lost touch, last of 13, well behind The Giant Bolster (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) sft.
Meath All Star (IRE) 5-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders on inner, 5th 3 out, soon ridden along, 8th entering straight, kept on one paced, 10th of 25, 22l behind Some Present (11-12) at Punchestown 2m mdn hdl in Oct.
Papa Drew (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Held up behind, lost place from 5th, 8th of 11, 42l behind Jumby Bay (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gd.
Rossini's Dancer 13-2 (10-9) Held up, headway over 2f out, stayed on to lead towards finish, won at Newcastle 1m 4f am hcp (6) sft in Oct beating Patavium (10-6) by 1 3/4l, 13 ran (flat).
Sir Mark (IRE) 10-1 (11-2) Led, headed 3f out, soon weakened, 7th of 8, 18l behind Mister Wall Street (10-9) at Haydock 2m nhf (5) gd in Mar.
Skull Inn (IRE) 50-1 (10-11) Always towards rear, 12th of 13, well behind Scorched Son (11-12) at Sligo 2m mdn hdl sft in Aug.
Some Captain (IRE) 50-1 (11-9) Chased leaders in moderate 3rd, lost place after 4 out, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Morning Supreme (11-7) at Limerick 2m mdn hdl (6yo+) hvy, 18 ran.
Vallani (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Held up, outpaced 3 out, never dangerous, 7th of 11, 26l behind Annie May (11-0) at Musselburgh 2m mdn hdl (5) gs.
