led, ridden and headed 2 out, one pace from last
in rear and in touch, weakened after 3 out
in touch and raced wide, weakened after 4 out, tailed off before 3 out
held up towards rear, pushed along before 4 out, led 2 out, blundered last, headed run-in, kept on
with leader, every chance 3 out, ridden before last, kept on to lead run-in
tracked leaders, pushed along before 8th, went 4th before 3 out, soon weakened
Nonrunner
Merrydown drops back in trip after finishing second over these hurdles last month with Makhzoon well beaten and is not without a chance but Irish raider Your Busy cut little ice when reverting to the smaller obstacles at Fairyhouse last time. SPIRIT OF A NATION made a decent comeback to finish third behind Hollo Ladies at this track and, dropping down a grade for this, Jim Goldie's charge gets the nod. Stablemate Seven Is Lucky remains out of sorts while Dundock and Political Paddy are upped in class.
Makhzoon (USA) 20-1 (11-5) Prominent, led approaching 2nd, ridden and headed befoore 3 out, soon dropped to 3rd, no impression when lost 3rd next, weakened last, 6th of 12, 16l behind Too Cool To Fool (10-0) at Ayr 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (4) sft in Jan.
Merrydown (IRE) 11-1 (11-11) Held up in mid-division, steady headway 9th, stayed on to 3rd and hung left 2 out, driven and went 2nd flat, no chance with winner, 2nd of 12, 4 1/2l behind Too Cool To Fool (10-0) at Ayr 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (4) sft in Jan.
Your Busy (IRE) 12-1 (11-6) Mid-division, ridden after 4 out, weakened from next, last of 9, well behind Wise Oscar (11-5) at Fairyhouse 2m 6f hcp hdl 80-116 hvy in Jan.
Spirit of A Nation (IRE) 10-1 (10-0) Chased leader until pushed along 3 out, stayed on same pace in 3rd from next, 3rd of 5, 4 1/2l behind Hollo Ladies (10-8) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft in Jan.
Seven Is Lucky (IRE) 25-1 (11-1) Held up towards rear, ridden 8th, some headway approaching 3 out, weakened soon after, 8th of 12, 21l behind Too Cool To Fool (10-0) at Ayr 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (4) sft in Jan.
Political Paddy 5-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, went 3rd from 4 out, soon ridden, weakened before last, 5th of 12, 18l behind Grey Area (11-1) at Newcastle 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) hvy.
Dundock 12-1 (11-0) Held up, outpaced 8th, headway 3 out, chasing leaders when mistake next, no extra, 7th of 10, 35l behind Carmela Maria (9-12) at Catterick 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in Dec.