held up in touch, no impression under pressure in 4th from final hurdle, kept on same pace
held up in touch on outer, slight mistake 3rd, no impression under pressure in 5th from final hurdle, one pace
held up in touch, impeded 2nd, closed up to be prominent 5th, no extra from before final hurdle, weakened and eased before straight
disputed lead early, led approaching 2nd where not fluent, joined from final hurdle, regained lead straight, asserted and stayed on well final furlong
disputed lead early, prominent, challenged and on terms from final hurdle, headed straight, no extra and one pace final furlong, dropped to 3rd closing stages
disputed lead early, prominent, slightly slow 2nd and at times after, no impression under pressure in 3rd from final hurdle, kept on into 2nd without troubling winner closing stages
chased leaders, impeded 2nd, no impression and not fluent final hurdle, soon weakened
chased leaders, mistake 2nd, bad mistake 6th, weakened from final hurdle
soon in rear, slight mistake 3rd, ridden along briefly after next and at times after, no danger approaching final hurdle
A fascinating maiden with Kilcruit bidding to redeem his reputation after a long odds-on defeat on his hurdling debut at Cork. Willie Mullins' top-class bumper never looked like getting to Largy Debut but the longer trip should enable him to get into a better rhythm. The winner's yard is represented by Loughrea point-to-point winner Amirite and JOURNEY WITH ME, who won a point by 12l then a Gowran bumper by 13l in March. He looks an outstanding prospect as does Minella Crooner, who has cruised home in two bumpers after scoring between the flags. Barbados, rated 106 on the Flat, will have found 2m too short on his hurdling debut while Falcon Eight, rated 109 on the level, looks another who could go all the way to the top over hurdles for Dermot Weld.
Amirite (IRE) 7-2 (12-2) Ld/disp, 1l 2nd 1/2way, better jump & wo 3out, gng best & 3l adv bef last, kow flat, cosily, won at Loughrea 3m mdn sft in Oct beating Calvic (12-2) by 4l, 10 ran.
Falcon Eight (IRE) 7-4fav (9-2) Held up off the pace in last pair, some late minor headway, never on terms, 9th of 15, 24 3/4l behind Stratum (9-2) at Ascot 2m 6f stks (2) sft in Jun.
Fiston Des Issards (FR) 11-5 (12-2) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 6f out, ridden 3f out, 5th 2f out, no impression, 5th of 7, dist behind Highland Charge (12-2) at Fairyhouse 2m sft in Nov.
Journey With Me (IRE) 4-7fav (12-2) Made all, clear travelling well 5f out, stayed on strongly from 2f out, unchallenged, impressive, won at Gowran Park 2m 2f hvy in Mar beating Galudon (12-2) by 13l, 7 ran.
Kilcruit (IRE) 1-14fav (12-0) Tracked leader, pushed along entering straight, 1 length 2nd when mistake 3 out, soon ridden and no impression, not fluent 2 out and last, kept on one pace, 2nd of 16, 10l behind Largy Debut (12-0) at Cork 2m mdn sft in Dec.
Minella Crooner (IRE) 2-9fav (12-2) Tracked leader in 2nd, headway to dispute lead 5f out, led under 2f out, ridden to assert and kept on well inside final furlong, won at Punchestown 2m Yielding in Nov beating Mister Beeton (11-9) by 6 1/2l, 5 ran.
Red Secret (CAN) 28-1 (12-0) Mid-division on inner, closer behind leaders at halfway, ridden in 5th 3 out, slight mistake next, no impression, 5th of 16, dist behind Whatdeawant (12-0) at Navan 2m 4f mdn Yielding in Dec.
Smoke And Mirrors (IRE) 12-1 (12-0) Tracked leaders, 3rd at 4th, bad mistake 5th, 4th and ridden when mistake 2 out, no impression, 5th of 22, 17l behind Grand Jury (12-0) at Punchestown 2m mdn Good - Yielding in Nov.
Tiktoktyson (IRE) Worthadd gelding out of Leadmore.
Barbados (IRE) 9-4 (11-12) A little slow into stride, soon tracked leaders in 3rd, challenged straight, chased winner and one pace final furlong, 2nd of 11, 6l behind Raise You (11-12) at Curragh 1m 4f Yielding - Soft in Oct.
Bold Approach (IRE) 15-2 (9-12) Soon tracked leader, 4th halfway, 5th over 4f out, switched left and headway under 2f out, ridden in 3rd 1f out, kept on same pace, no impression on winner, 3rd of 8, 3 1/4l behind Dalvey (8-13) at Dundalk 2m hcp pol in Nov.
The Last Throw (IRE) 25-1 (11-9) Waited with, 11th halfway, pushed along from 3 out, slight mistake 2 out, went moderate 7th approaching straight, soon no extra, 8th of 18, dist behind Baptism Of Fire (12-0) at Punchestown 2m 4f mdn Yielding in Oct.
