tracked leader in 2nd, slight mistake at 1st, not fluent 3 out, headway to dispute lead travelling well before 2 out, pushed along to lead after 2 out, ridden run-in, stayed on well, comfortably
led, ridden and joined before 2 out, headed after 2 out, dropped to 3rd before last, soon no impression on leaders
disputed 3rd early, went 3rd at 3rd, pushed along in 3rd before 3 out, soon ridden, dropped to 4th 2 out, no impression
disputed 3rd early, mistake 3rd and dropped to last, mistake again next, close 4th 3 out, headway into 3rd travelling well 2 out, ridden in 2nd before last, no impression on winner run-in
A small but select field headed by Galvin, who has an extra penalty having won two bumpers and a maiden hurdle at Perth where he started long odds-on. His stable companion Whoshotthesheriff was sent to Ayr for his hurdling debut and duly obliged so he may prove best of the Gordon Elliott duo. Minella Times hasn't done as well as expected after landing a Kilbeggan maiden in May and probably wants softer ground but Press Conference was always travelling nicely when landing a Limerick maiden and has more to offer. SMOKING GUN reappeared to land a Clonmel maiden then defied a very bad mistake at the last to land a novices' contest at Limerick so he's handed the vote with further progress likely.
Galvin (IRE) 1-4fav (11-1) Raced keenly, tracked leaders, went on before 4th, made rest, ridden out, won at Perth 2m mdn (4) gd in Aug beating An Fear Ciuin (11-2) by 1 3/4l, 5 ran.
Minella Times (IRE) 7-1 (11-4) Mid-division, mistake 4th, pushed along and no impression entering straight, no extra, kept on one pace, 8th of 13, 20l behind Clash Of D Titans (10-8) at Leopardstown 2m 4f hcp Good - Yielding in Dec.
Smoking Gun (IRE) 6-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders in 3rd, went 2nd 3 out, improved to dispute lead before 2 out, soon ridden, led before last, bad mistake at last and headed, rallied to regain lead close home, stayed on well, won at Limerick 2m sft in Dec beating Veneziano Springs (11-0) by 1/2l, 9 ran.
Whoshotthesheriff (IRE) 6-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, went 2nd between last 2, led narrowly last, stayed on well towards finish, won at Ayr 2m (4) sft in Jan beating Dali Mail (11-11) by 2 1/2l, 12 ran.
Press Conference (IRE) 3-1 (11-4) Soon tracked leaders, closed up from 3 out, soon on terms, led run-in and stayed on best, won at Limerick 2m mdn sft in Dec beating Annamix (11-4) by 2 3/4l, 15 ran.
