prominent, led and disputed from 1st, headed before 4th, towards rear before 6th, ridden 5 out, weakened before next, pulled up before 3 out
led and disputed, slight mistake 1st and headed, settled behind leaders, 3rd halfway, close up on outer before 4 out, led before 3 out, ridden and headed 2 out where slight mistake, no extra in 2nd before last, kept on one pace
held up early, jumped left, improved and close up from 3rd, led and disputed before next, slight mistake 5 out, slight mistake next, soon headed, ridden and no extra 3 out, weakened before next
held up behind leaders, 4th halfway, progress into 2nd after 3 out, led 2 out, pushed out to assert before last, ridden and kept on strongly run-in
held up towards rear, slight mistake 7th, ridden 3 out, soon no impression in 4th, kept on one pace
prominent and disputed, headed before 3 out, ridden in 3rd and no impression before 2 out, kept on one pace
The champion trainer again has two entries and BATTLEFORD is the one that will attract the most attention. Narrowly beaten in the championship bumpers at Cheltenham and Aintree, he found two miles too short on his hurdling debut in a very strong Navan maiden but looked more at home when making all over 2m4f at Leopardstown. He'll need to improve his jumping but looks an exciting staying prospect. Some Neck had been a short-priced beaten favourite in his first five starts in bumpers but put matters right with a very promising hurdles debut over this trip on heavy going at Limerick. He'll be difficult to keep out of the frame but Electric Concorde has to concede weight all round as his narrow victory in a Leopardstown handicap was his second over timber. The Storyteller looks a very smart prospect and, with a bit of luck, could have been unbeaten in his three starts over hurdles. There was much to like about his victory at Down Royal and he should go well. The remaining trio are all winners and not out of what looks a cracking race for the money.
Electric Concorde (IRE) 11-1 (10-11) Led and disputed, headed 7th, slight mistake 3 out, ridden to lead entering straight, strongly pressed run-in, all out close home, won at Leopardstown 3m hcp Yielding in Dec beating Isleofhopendreams (9-10) by hd, 25 ran.
Battleford 4-9fav (11-12) Made virtually all, mistake 5th and joined briefly next, slight mistake 3 out and pressed next, pushed along to assert and 3 lengths clear before last, ridden and kept on run-in, won at Leopardstown 2m 4f mdn Yielding in Dec beating Coeur Joyeux (11-12) by 2l, 13 ran.
Some Neck (FR) 5-4fav (11-4) Mid-division early, 6th 6 out, not fluent 4 out, headway into 4th after 3 out, led 2 out, soon ridden clear, stayed on well run-in, won at Limerick 2m 6f mdn hvy in Dec beating Moores Road (11-4) by 7l, 16 ran.
The Storyteller (IRE) Evensfav (11-12) Tracked leaders, 5th halfway, closer in 3rd 3 out, led 2 out, asserted last, easily, won at Down Royal 2m 4f mdn sft in Dec beating Tamlough Boy (11-12) by 9l, 12 ran.
Billy's Hope (IRE) 9-1 (10-9) Mid-division, progress into 7th after 3 out, travelled well into 3rd entering straight, ridden in 2nd before last, no extra run-in, kept on one pace, 6th of 25, 7 1/2l behind Electric Concorde (10-11) at Leopardstown 3m hcp Yielding in Dec.
Wishmoor (IRE) 66-1 (11-3) Soon raced in 4th, slight mistake 4th, hit 5th, pushed along into straight in last, soon no extra, bad mistake 2 out, completely tailed off, 5th of 6, dist behind Death Duty (11-6) at Navan 2m 4f (1) Soft - Heavy in Dec.
Brightest Flame (IRE) 2-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, pushed along briefly from 7th, 5th from next, 3rd approaching 3 out, soon ridden, 2nd approaching 2 out where led and slight mistake, quickly clear, slight mistake last, stayed on well run-in, easily, won at Tramore 2m 5f mdn Soft - Heavy in Jan beating Berry Des Aulmes (11-4) by 20l, 9 ran.
