tracked leaders in 4th, ridden and no impression in 3rd early straight, no extra in 4th from before last
led, ridden and strongly pressed entering straight, headed after 2 out, no extra under pressure run-in
tracked leader in 2nd, challenged early straight, led travelling best approaching last, kept on well after being pressed early run-in
towards rear and never a factor, ridden after 3 out, kept on one pace in straight
towards rear, driven along before 3 out, kept on one pace under pressure in straight
rear of mid-division, some headway early straight, good progress into close 3rd at last despite swishing tail, soon challenged briefly, no impression on winner final 50 yards
chased leaders mainly 6th, no impression in 5th entering straight, no extra
chased leaders on inner, 5th halfway, ridden and no impression 2 out, no extra and kept on one pace
tracked leaders in 3rd, raced very keenly early, ridden approaching 3 out, soon no extra and beaten when mistake 2 out, tailed off
A very competitive opener but a chance is taken with hurdling newcomer TUGBOAT. Edward O'Grady's recent acquisition had One Cool Shabra a long way behind when scoring over 1m2f on soft ground at Navan for John Oxx in October and has the potential to be very useful over timber. One Cool Shabra has gradually improved over hurdles and though beaten by Burrenbridge Lodge and Sam Bass earlier in the campaign his recent success over Thegondolier suggests he can reverse the form here. Wrekin Rock failed to score in a dozen starts on the level but made no mistake on his hurdling debut at Gowran and is certain to make further progress. Rossvoss was very progressive on the Flat and will have learnt plenty from his hurdling debut here last month.
Burrenbridge Lodge (IRE) 10-3 (11-3) Prominent, keen hold early, not jump well, challenged and on terms from before 2 out where mistake, headed when not fluent last, no extra and kept on same pace run-in, 2nd of 11, 2 3/4l behind Sam Bass (11-0) at Cork 2m 3yo hdl sft in Nov.
One Cool Shabra (IRE) 9-4fav (10-10) Made virtually all, pressed approaching last, kept on well to draw clear run-in, won at Punchestown 2m 3yo hdl sft in Nov beating Thegondolier (10-10) by 7l, 7 ran.
Sam Bass (IRE) 11-4fav (11-0) Always prominent, 3rd 3 out, challenged and on terms from before next, led and stayed on well from last, won at Cork 2m 3yo hdl sft in Nov beating Burrenbridge Lodge (11-3) by 2 3/4l, 11 ran.
Argocat (IRE) 8-1 (8-12) Prominent, reminders over 7f out, went 2nd over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 8, well behind Beat The Shower (9-4) at Beverley 2m hcp 0-85 (4) sft in Aug (flat).
Chart Master (IRE) 8-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, some headway 3 out, no impression from next, kept on one pace, 6th of 16, 17l behind Blue Cannon (10-12) at Down Royal 2m 3yo mdn hdl sft in Nov.
His Excellency (IRE) 5-4fav (11-0) Led from 1st, headed approaching 4 out, dropped to 4th before 2 out, soon ridden and swished tail, no extra, 8th of 12, 26l behind In Bloom (10-7) at Navan 2m 3yo mdn hdl sft in Nov.
Rossvoss 5-4fav (11-0) Settled behind leaders, 8th halfway, headway into 5th 3 out, pushed along in 4th entering straight, ridden in 3rd 2 out, no extra before last, kept on same pace, 4th of 16, 2 1/2l behind Leroy Parker (11-0) at Fairyhouse 2m 3yo mdn hdl sft in Nov.
Thegondolier (IRE) 7-1 (10-10) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, went 2nd before 3 out, ridden to challenge approaching last where not fluent, soon no impression early run-in, 2nd of 7, 7l behind One Cool Shabra (10-10) at Punchestown 2m 3yo hdl sft in Nov.
Wrekin Rock (IRE) 25-1 (10-7) Always prominent, led before straight, hung away from rail before 2 out, did the same again before last where in control and good jump, stayed on well run-in, won at Gowran Park 2m 3yo mdn hdl sft in Nov beating Canna (11-0) by 4 1/2l, 16 ran.
Tugboat (IRE) 2-1fav (9-5) Chased leader, 2nd halfway, challenged 3f out, ridden in close 2nd 2f out, led over 1f out, kept on well under pressure final furlong, won at Navan 1m 2f 3yo mdn sft in Oct beating Statesmanship (9-5) by 1/2l, 18 ran (flat).
