chased leaders in 3rd, not fluent 4th and 5th, ridden after 2 out, no impression from before last and kept on same pace run-in
raced towards rear, in rear with a circuit to race, pushed along in 7th after 3 out, ridden approaching straight and no impression from before 2 out
raced keenly in rear, 7th with a circuit to race, dropped to rear and briefly pushed along after 8th, improved on outer to take closer order after 3 out, ridden in 5th after 2 out, kept on well run-in
reluctant to line-up, settled in 2nd, improved to dispute approaching 2 out, soon ridden and headed before last, no extra run-in
chased leaders, not fluent 2nd, 5th with a circuit to race, improved into 4th before 7th, ridden before 2 out and soon weakened
led, ridden and joined approaching 2 out, regained lead before last and kept on well run-in
raced towards rear, 6th with a circuit to race, ridden approaching straight and soon no impression
chased leaders, 4th with a circuit to race, dropped to 5th before 7th, ridden in 4th approaching 2 out, no impression from before last and kept on same pace run-in
SYDNEY THOMPSON (NAP) appears to need holding up until the last minute and those tactics have only worked once in eight starts over hurdles. He came from a long way back to finish third at Gowran last weekend when The Mad Well finished just in front but hopefully his rider will have him closer to the pace this time. The runner-up has a course and distance victory to his credit so won't go down without a fight while the lightly-raced Tiger Bay Lady is running very well in heavy ground and it will be a surprise if she's not in contention. Knockraha Pylon hasn't shown much since her 66/1 shock at Thurles in January while Really Unique ran poorly on that track last month having landed a handicap there earlier.
Really Unique (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, blundered 5th and dropped to rear, 8th halfway, ridden and no extra when mistake 4 out, soon pulled up, in a race won by Captainofthefleet (11-3) at Thurles 3m hcp hdl hvy in Feb, 10 ran.
Knockraha Pylon (IRE) 4-1 (11-2) Chased leader, closer order 4th, slight mistake 3 out, on terms approaching 2 out, soon headed, dropped to moderate 4th and not fluent last, no extra, 6th of 8, 19l behind Curragh Na Gold (10-6) at Clonmel 2m mrs hcp hdl sft.
Sydney Thompson (IRE) 10-1 (11-5) Held up in last, went moderate 12th 3 out, ridden entering straight, plenty to do in 9th approaching last, slightly hampered at last, stayed on well run-in to go 3rd close home, never nearer, 3rd of 18, 1 1/2l behind Hard Bought (11-4) at Gowran Park 2m 4f hcp hdl 80-109 sft.
Tiger Bay Lady (IRE) 5-1 (10-3) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, progress to dispute 3 out and led entering straight, ridden and headed last, no impression on winner run-in, 2nd of 10, 1 1/4l behind Captainofthefleet (11-3) at Thurles 3m hcp hdl hvy in Feb.
Day Dream Boy (IRE) 14-1 (11-3) Prominent, 6th from 4th, mistake 7th, slight mistake 9th, slightly slow 10th, not fluent 3 out, moderate 12th 2 out, soon no extra and eased,, 12th of 16, well behind Do Be Doin' (10-8) at Leopardstown 2m 5f hcp chs 0-109 sft in Feb.
The Mad Well (IRE) 10-3fav (10-10) Prominent, 2nd 3 out, ridden in 2nd next, kept on in 2nd run-in, 2nd of 18, 1 1/4l behind Hard Bought (11-4) at Gowran Park 2m 4f hcp hdl 80-109 sft.
Luddenmore (IRE) 4-1 (11-9) Waited with towards rear, pushed along from 3 out, no impression when bad mistake 2 out, last of 9, well behind Castlerock Rose (11-5) at Limerick 2m 5f mdn hdl hvy in Dec '12.
Lunch Master (IRE) 25-1 (10-9) Held up, 11th from 2nd, closer in 7th from 8th, not fluent 10th, 3rd approaching straight, soon challenged and edged slightly left, 4th and no impression 2 out, one pace, 4th of 12, 20l behind The Grey Guy (10-9) at Clonmel 3m hcp hdl 80-109 sft.
