made all, not fluent 7th, still travelling smoothly straight, stayed on well run-in, easily
in rear, closed on outer after 3 out, soon 3rd, pushed along straight, no impression approaching 2 out, fell last
raced in 2nd, a little keen, pushed along into straight, no impression and kept on same pace from last
3rd early, soon 4th, 3rd approaching 3 out, soon pushed along and 4th again, no impression approaching 2 out, soon no extra
4th early, soon 3rd, 4th again approaching 3 out where slight mistake and pushed along, soon dropped to rear, no impression straight, moderate 4th when left 3rd from last, one pace
Willie Mullins has won two of the last three and should keep up the sequence with the exciting LONG DOG. A winning bumper, his three runs so far over timber have been won with the utmost ease and until he's pitted against something better than these he should remain unbeaten. He has to concede 13lb to Little Mitch, an easy winner over this trip at Down Royal in August, but that shouldn't prove a problem while Solatentif, who beat a big field over the minimum at Gowan in June, finished tailed off behind him at Galway. Fu's Island definitely improved at Gowran last time and with further progress likely can fill the runners-up spot as Delegate will be making his hurdling debut after showing moderate form in bumpers.
Long Dog 1-6fav (11-10) Made all, slight mistake 4 out, asserted before last where slight mistake, not extended, won at Listowel 2m 4f hvy in Sep beating Collen Beag (11-3) by 9 1/2l, 4 ran.
Delegate 10-11fav (12-0) Tracked leader early, led after 2f out, ridden clear under 2f out, strongly pressed 1f out, headed inside final furlong and soon dropped to 3rd, 3rd of 14, 2 1/2l behind Peter The Mayo Man (12-0) at Fairyhouse 2m gd in Apr.
Solatentif (FR) 13-2 (11-9) Chased leaders, slight mistake 3rd, 4th halfway, slight mistake 3 out, ridden and no extra before next, 8th of 9, dist behind Long Dog (11-9) at Galway 2m gd in Jul.
Fu's Island (IRE) 4-1fav (11-5) Chased leaders, stumbled slightly after 3rd, 4th from 6th, closed approaching 3 out, pushed along in 2nd approaching straight, challenged 2 out, soon led, edged slightly right before last, stayed on well run-in, won at Gowran Park 2m 4f mdn gd in Oct beating Bowenscourt (11-5) by 3 1/4l, 9 ran.
Little Mitch (IRE) 16-1 (10-5) Mid-division, 9th before straight, ridden to chase leaders from 2 out, kept on same pace from before last, 4th of 17, 5 1/4l behind Misty Lady (11-1) at Gowran Park 3m hcp gd in Oct.
