prominent and disputed, led 3 out, ridden to assert before last, soon clear, easily
chased leaders, 3rd halfway, 5th 4 out, soon ridden in 6th, no extra entering straight and weakened
led and disputed, pushed along after 4 out, ridden entering straight, headed 3 out, no extra in 3rd next, lost 3rd run-in
chased leaders, slow 3rd, 4th halfway, slight mistake 8th, headway into 3rd 3 out, ridden into 2nd 2 out where mistake, no impression winner when slight mistake last, kept on same pace
held up, 6th halfway, headway into 3rd entering straight, 4th 3 out, ridden and no impression next, kept on same pace to 3rd run-in
held up, 5th halfway, swift headway to dispute briefly before 4 out, 3rd 4 out, ridden in 5th entering straight, no impression 3 out, kept on one pace
always in rear, ridden and no impression entering straight, weakened
Won In The Dark landed this a year ago and advertised his wellbeing with a cracking effort behind Solwhit in the Grade 1 Liverpool Hurdle and would be unbeatable on that form but he doesn't always do the job and is worth opposing. The veteran Dancing Tornado had every chance when unseating his rider a year ago and returned to form at Thurles last month though he's better over further. MIDNIGHT OIL was having only his sixth run over hurdles when scoring very easily at Gowran and with this longer trip likely to bring about further improvement he's given the nod. Bondage is a very useful staying hurdler who had no problems seeing off a small field at Down Royal while Maller Tree has been plying his trade in graded events after beating some decent opposition at Naas in October.
Bondage (IRE) 5-2 (11-8) Settled in behind leaders, slight mistake and niggled along 5th, closed from before 2 out, gained narrow lead between last 2, stayed on well to assert run-in, won at Down Royal 2m 6f hdl gd beating Gold Bullet (11-12) by 8l, 4 ran.
Fair Dilemma (IRE) 10-1 (10-13) Tracked leaders, 4th before straight, no impression 2 out and kept on same pace, 4th of 11, 9l behind Caheronaun (10-10) at Limerick 2m 3f hcp chs gd in Apr.
Maller Tree 20-1 (11-3) Chased leader mainly 2nd, 3rd 4 out and dropped to 5th early straight, no extra and eased when beaten before last, 5th of 6, well behind Solwhit (10-13) at Naas 2m 3f hdl Gr3 (1) hvy in Jan.
Midnight Oil 4-7fav (11-8) Tracked leader in 2nd, improved to challenge 3 out, led entering straight, stretched clear after 2 out, easily, won at Gowran Park 2m nov hdl (4-6yo) gd in Apr beating Sizing Jo'burg (11-8) by 8l, 3 ran.
Dancing Tornado (IRE) 14-1 (10-7) Held up in rear, headway into 3rd after 2 out, ridden to narrow lead approaching last, kept on well run-in, won at Thurles 3m hdl gd in Apr beating Stonemaster (11-0) by 1l, 4 ran.
Won In The Dark (IRE) 66-1 (11-7) Held up towards rear, headway 3 out, kept on from last, 4th of 13, 6l behind Solwhit (11-7) at Aintree 3m hdl G1 (1) gs in Apr.
Casey Top (IRE) 25-1 (10-2) Led narrowly to 3rd, chased leaders until lost place 11th, soon behind, 10th of 22, well behind Carrickboy (10-5) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp chs G3 (1) gs in Mar.
