chased leader, slightly slow 3 out, closed and left in narrow lead 2 out, ridden after last, kept on well closing stages to assert inside final furlong
chased leaders, not fluent early, 4th halfway, ridden 3 out, no impression before next, left moderate 4th 2 out, 3rd and no impression entering straight
mid-division, ridden and no impression 3 out, soon no extra
held up, slight mistake 4th, soon towards rear, trailing halfway, slight mistake 4 out, tailed off
mid-division, ridden in 6th and no impression 3 out, no extra before next, kept on one pace straight
led, 5-length advantage halfway, reduced advantage 2 out where knuckled on landing and fell
chased leaders, 3rd halfway, slight mistake 4 out, left challenging 2 out, ridden in 2nd entering straight, no extra closing stages, kept on one pace
held up towards rear, slight mistake 7th, closer in 4th 4 out, ridden after 3 out, no impression before next, left moderate 3rd 2 out, slight mistake last, no extra entering straight
Bridge Native was in excellent form around this time a year ago but suffered in the weights as a consequence. He ran a fine race on his only start over fences this year on this track and Jordan Gainford's claim is a major plus. WINTER ESCAPE hasn't quite made the expected progress after two Grade 3 victories as a novice. However, he's back on the same mark as when last successful over fences and the ground has come in his favour. The Big Galloper is probably better than we've seen so far over fences while Call A Cab ran his best race to date at Ballinrobe though Mark Walsh prefers the selection. None of the remaining quartet can be dismissed in a tight handicap.
Bridge Native (IRE) 14-1 (11-10) Mid-division on inner, 7th 3 out, ridden 2 out, no extra, 5th of 12, 13 1/2l behind Trixie Mc (10-5) at Kilbeggan 2m hcp gd in Sep.
Winter Escape (IRE) 8-1 (11-4) Rear, progress to 4th 4 out, improved to 3rd 3 out, no impression on winner before last, one paced run-in, 3rd of 5, 11 3/4l behind Ballyoisin (11-4) at Ballinrobe 2m 1f gd in Aug.
Goodbye Someday (IRE) 15-2 (12-0) Tracked leaders, 5th halfway, slight mistake 8th, slow next and dropped to rear, soon no extra, weakened, 6th of 8, dist behind Bleu Berry (12-0) at Listowel 2m 1f Good - Yielding in Sep.
The Big Galloper (IRE) 17-2 (11-6) Mid-division, bad mistake 8th and mistake 10th, ridden and some progress into 5th 3 out, moderate 5th and mistake 2 out, no impression, 5th of 15, 37l behind Arverne (10-13) at Punchestown 3m 2f hcp hvy in Dec.
Call A Cab (IRE) 3-1 (12-0) Chased clear leader, moderate 5th halfway, closer in 4th after 4 out, 3rd and no impression before 2 out, left 2nd at last, kept on one pace, 2nd of 14, 9l behind Forrard Away (12-0) at Ballinrobe 2m 1f Soft - Heavy in May.
Bold Emperor (IRE) 9-2jfav (10-1) Prominent, mistake 4th, soon lost place and mistake next, slow and pushed along in rear 6th, headway again to 3rd 4 out, mistake 3 out, soon ridden and no impression, kept on one pace, 4th of 9, 13l behind Defan (10-0) at Listowel 2m 1f hcp Good - Yielding in Sep.
Espion Du Chenet (FR) 6-1 (9-12) Held up towards rear, moderate 6th 4 out, moderate 4th 2 out, ridden and no impression in 3rd at last, kept on one pace, 3rd of 9, 12l behind Defan (10-0) at Listowel 2m 1f hcp Good - Yielding in Sep.
Rippon Lodge (IRE) 12-1 (9-12) Held up in rear, mistake and rider briefly lost iron 7th, short of room and hampered before next where not fluent, 7th 4 out, ridden and no extra from next, 7th of 9, dist behind Defan (10-0) at Listowel 2m 1f hcp Good - Yielding in Sep.
