held up in last, kept wide, lost touch 5 out, completely tailed off
held up behind leaders, mainly 3rd, ridden before 3 out, disputed 2nd briefly 2 out, no extra in 3rd last, kept on same pace
tracked leader in 2nd, close up 4 out, improved to lead entering straight, asserted before last, easily
led, challenged 4 out, ridden and headed entering straight, disputed 2nd 2 out, 2nd last, kept on same pace, no chance with winner
Donnas Palm was in superb form over hurdles at this time a year ago where he gained a Grade 2 success at Tipperary. He made a bright start over fences at Wexford last month, even though his main rival came down at the last, and is certain to improve. LAST INSTALMENT, a winning point-to-pointer and bumper, made very good progress over timber and could hardly have made a better start over fences, jumping superbly and staying on in the Galway mud to beat Alpha Ridge with the remainder well behind. He gets the vote to complete the double as he had Four Commanders a long way in arrears over hurdles at Limerick in April though Mouse Morris' charge, who runs in the same colours, will probably make a better chaser than hurdler.
Close Review (IRE) 4-1fav (10-6) Towards rear, ridden after 4 out, moderate 6th and no impression entering straight, left 5th last, 5th of 12, 41l behind Groody Hill (11-0) at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp chs 0-116 hvy in Oct.
Donnas Palm (IRE) 2-1fav (11-12) Reduced visibility, waited with, closer in 4th 3 out, in front before last, stayed on well to draw clear run-in, comfortably, won at Wexford 2m 3f beg chs sft in Oct beating Gates Of Rome (11-12) by 3 1/2l, 13 ran.
Last Instalment (IRE) 3-1 (11-12) Prominent throughout, clear of remainder in 2nd and challenged into straight, led inside final furlong and quickened up under pressure to soon assert, won at Galway 2m 6f beg chs hvy in Oct beating Alpha Ridge (11-12) by 4l, 8 ran.
Four Commanders (IRE) 13-8fav (11-11) Made virtually all, strongly pressed before 2 out, asserted and kept on well from last, won at Down Royal 2m 4f beg chs sft beating Medical Card (11-12) by 3l, 15 ran.
Spot The Boss (IRE) 50-1 (11-12) Whipped around and lost ground start, towards rear, some headway into moderate 9th 3 out, kept on one pace, 7th of 18, 45l behind Bog Warrior (11-12) at Navan 2m beg chs.
