soon disputed lead, 3rd approaching 4 out, 5th and no extra next
chased leaders, close up when slight peck 3 out, kept on in 3rd from next without matching 1st 2
close up and soon disputed lead, not fluent 4 out, ridden to lead before 2 out, joined and slightly right at last, kept on well run-in, headed close home
soon close up and disputed lead for much, pushed along in 2nd before 2 out, on terms again from before last, stayed on best run-in to lead close home
waited with, closed to track leaders from before 3 out, struggling from after next, kept on same pace under pressure
soon in rear, struggling from 5 out, soon no danger
SHOT FROM THE HIP, who landed the Grade 1 Champion Novice Hurdle at Punchestown in May, didn't impress with his jumping on his chasing bow at Leopardstown last month and will need to do better but he remains a bright prospect and he can take this before going on to better things. The 2009 Coral Cup winner Ninetieth Minute has been racing at a higher level subsequently but hasn't been seen since an inauspicious chasing debut in November 2010 and will probably need this. Mackeys Forge was a more than useful hurdler who hasn't quite got the hang of the bigger obstacles so far but Shane Rock is improving with every run and was caught on the line at Limerick last time.
Highdownhill (NZ) 20-1 (11-12) Always towards rear, weakened after 4 out, tailed off, 12th of 13, well behind Carloswayback (11-12) at Punchestown 2m 4f beg chase hvy.
Mackeys Forge (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, 4th 5 out, ridden from next, went moderate 3rd from 2 out, 3rd of 9, 18l behind Sir Des Champs (11-12) at Fairyhouse 2m 5f beg chs sft in Dec.
Ninetieth Minute (IRE) 9-2 (11-12) Rear of mid-division for most, never a factor, 8th of 11, well behind Saludos (11-12) at Navan 2m beg chs sft in Nov '10.
Shot From The Hip (GER) 13-8fav (11-12) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, slow 2 out and pushed along in 4th entering straight, no impression from before last where slight mistake, no extra, 4th of 7, 24l behind Hidden Cyclone (11-12) at Leopardstown 2m 3f beg chs gd in Dec.
The Big Mosquito (IRE) 25-1 (11-12) Led, clear 7 out, slight peck 5 out, reduced lead before straight, soon headed and weakened, 7th of 12, 22l behind Friendly Society (11-12) at Limerick 2m 1f beg chs hvy in Dec.
Baby's Hot (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Well off pace towards rear, no extra from before straight, 8th of 9, 23l behind Perfect Smile (11-12) at Fairyhouse 2m 1f beg chs hvy in Dec.
Shane Rock 7-2 (11-12) Always prominent, led before 2 out, clear approaching last, tying up closing stages and caught on line, 2nd of 12, ns behind Friendly Society (11-12) at Limerick 2m 1f beg chs hvy in Dec.
