soon prominent, on terms 3rd, headed 4th and raced in 2nd, on terms again 4 out, led from 3 out, headed approaching last, kept on without getting back to winner run-in
disputed lead early, a little slow in jumping at times, not fluent 3rd, chased leaders after, slight mistake 12th, no impression 3 out, soon no extra
disputed lead early, soon led, slight mistake 3rd and joined, headed 4th, chased leaders after, dropped to 6th after 10th, in rear and reminders after 11th, no danger 12th, soon pulled up
chased leaders, a little slow in jumping early, not fluent 3rd and reminder, reminders at times after and not a factor in rear, pulled up 10th
waited with, closer in 4th after 10th, tracked leaders in 3rd from 3 out, challenged between last 2, led approaching last, ridden out to maintain advantage run-in
waited with, closer in 5th after 10th, tracked leaders in 4th from 3 out, one pace approaching next
Noel Meade’s MOYROSS, a winner twice over hurdles around this time last year, was successful in a point-to-point in October 2016. A switch to fences should be in his favour and he remains unexposed so looks the one to beat here, despite a lay-off. Rueben James, Young Turk and the mare Holly Flight all have experience over fences and have probably shown a similar level of form while Burren Life ran in Grade 2 and Grade 3 races over timber last season but nearly all of his form has come on heavy ground. Moylisha Tim was once held in high regard but recent efforts have left much to be desired and the fitting of blinkers seems like a last resort.
Burren Life (IRE) 28-1 (11-3) Tracked leaders, ridden 4 out, soon weakened quickly, 22nd of 25, dist behind A Great View (11-1) at Punchestown 3m hcp Yielding - Soft in Apr.
Moylisha Tim (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, slightly slow in jumping at times, reminder after 8th, soon ridden, no extra approaching straight, 10th of 14, 37 1/4l behind Vent De La Cote (10-9) at Listowel 3m hcp sft in Sep.
Moyross 16-1 (11-6) Held up in touch, 8th from 8th, 6th before straight, kept on same pace, 6th of 13, 6 1/4l behind Kilfenora (11-1) at Punchestown 3m hcp Soft - Heavy in Feb.
Rueben James (IRE) 10-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders on outer, ridden in 3rd 3 out, kept on same pace from next, 3rd of 11, 12 1/4l behind Clara Sorrento (11-12) at Roscommon 2m 5f gd in Oct.
The Mulcare Rover (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) Prominent early, soon chased leaders, mistake 6th, 3rd halfway, weakened 5 out, pulled up before 2 out, at Ballinrobe 2m 7f Yielding in Aug.
Young Turk (FR) 9-2 (11-12) Tracked leaders, slight mistake 1st, on terms 3 out, headed from next, weakened run-in, 5th of 13, 16l behind Orion D'Aubrelle (11-12) at Listowel 2m 6f sft in Sep.
Holly Flight (FR) 5-1 (11-11) Held up in rear, moderate 6th 3 out, went 4th travelling well enough 2 out, soon ridden along, 4th at last, ridden and kept on without threatening run-in, 4th of 8, 7 1/2l behind Double Portrait (11-6) at Ballinrobe 2m 7f hcp Soft - Heavy in Sep.
