chased leader on outer, progress to 3rd after 5th, no impression after 3 out, weakened in moderate 5th at last
towards rear, 5th after 5th, not fluent at 8th, took closer order after 4 out, slight mistake in 2nd 3 out, soon ridden, no impression on leader 2 out where not fluent, kept on run-in, not trouble winner
in touch, dropped to 4th after 5th, lost place at 9th, under pressure in rear after 4 out, detached and pulled up before 3 out
rear, not fluent at 2nd, 6th after 5th, not fluent at 6th, 5th at 9th, ridden before 3 out, kept on one paced in moderate 4th at last
tracked leader, disputed before 3rd, led before 9th, headed and dropped to 4th before 3 out, kept on one paced in moderate 3rd after 2 out
led, disputed before 3rd, travelled well to lead before 3 out, asserted before 2 out, slight mistake at last, kept on well, easily
DARRENS HOPE is progressing at a rate of knots and had Ragnar Lodbrok seven lengths behind when landing a Listed contest here last month. Though the latter made mistakes and will be 3lb better off, it's difficult to see a form reversal. Commandingpresence made a very impressive hurdling debut at Punchestown and was in the lead when falling at the last in a Limerick Listed contest. He's unproven over the trip while The Getaway Star disappointed when stepped up to 2m4f at Fairyhouse, though won a bumper at that trip. Sayce Gold has been impressive in winning a bumper and a maiden hurdle and deserves a crack at this grade.
Commandingpresence (IRE) 11-10fav (11-4) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, 2nd 4 out, pressed leader entering straight, ridden to dispute before 2 out, narrow lead before last where fell, at Limerick 2m 5f lst (1) sft in Oct.
Ragnar Lodbrok (IRE) 15-8fav (11-2) Prominent in 2nd, not always fluent jumping, pushed along before straight, kept on same pace from after 2 out, 2nd of 7, 7l behind Darrens Hope (10-9) at Cork 3m lst (1) sft in Nov.
Darrens Hope (IRE) 5-2 (10-9) Made all, pushed along approaching 3 out, asserted after 2 out, stayed on well run-in, comfortably, won at Cork 3m lst (1) sft in Nov beating Ragnar Lodbrok (11-2) by 7l, 7 ran.
No Memory (IRE) 13-2 (10-13) Waited with in rear, pushed along after 4 out, no impression from before straight, ran on without threatening from before last, 6th of 13, 11 1/4l behind Rebel Waltz (10-5) at Cork 2m 4f hcp hvy in Nov.
Fairyhill Run (IRE) 9-2 (11-0) Close up and disputed, headed from 6th, dropped to rear after 4 out and under pressure, soon no extra and weakened, last of 6, dist behind Jacksons Gold (11-10) at Thurles 2m 7f sft in Nov.
Sayce Gold (IRE) 2-1 (11-9) Prominent, soon led and disputed, went on from before 3 out travelling smoothly, stayed on well straight, easily, won at Thurles 2m 7f mdn sft in Nov beating Miss Pernickety (11-1) by 8l, 13 ran.
The Getaway Star (IRE) 7-4fav (11-9) Led, joined at 8th, led again entering straight, soon ridden, joined again 2 out, headed before last, kept on same pace run-in, 2nd of 13, 6 1/2l behind Royal Kahala (11-9) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f mdn Soft - Heavy in Nov.
