made all, mistake 4 out, ridden approaching 2 out, kept on well from last
chased leaders, 4th halfway, 3rd 4 out, bad mistake next and soon ridden, kept on same pace under pressure from before 2 out
chased leader in 2nd, mistake 2nd, dropped to 4th and ridden 4 out, no extra next, poor 5th when fell 2 out
settled mid-division, slight mistake 5th and soon dropped towards rear, weakened next, behind when pulled up before 2 out
held up, pecked 2nd, 3rd and not fluent, moderate 7th halfway, 6th 5 out, pushed along and no impression 4 out, pulled up before 2 out
held up early, moderate 5th from 4th, closer 5 out, ridden in 4th after 3 out, no impression leaders, kept on same pace under pressure
chased leaders, 3rd halfway, 2nd 4 out, ridden and no impression leader before 2 out, kept on same pace from before last
always in rear, no impression from before 5 out and weakened, behind when pulled up before 2 out
Winning bumper and hurdler Knocklong has had the requisite three starts over fences to get a mark and could be nicely treated for his handicap debut. Uncle Tom Cobley has generally raced in better company but his record of 1-27 over fences hardly inspires confidence, though he did finish 13 lengths in front of Moiqen at Thurles earlier this month. The once-useful Sports Line was in poor form in the autumn and has been beaten in a point-to-point recently so the vote goes to SEA MASTER. He's been racing over much longer trips, usually showing good pace until fading. This looks a bit on the short side but the testing ground will help and he's well enough handicapped to finally get off the mark over fences.
Uncle Tom Cobley (IRE) 12-1 (10-1) Tracked leaders, 4th before 3 out, soon ridden, weakened straight, 8th of 15, well behind Twinlight (11-10) at Punchestown 2m hcp chs hvy.
Sports Line (IRE) 14-1 (11-3) Chased clear pair, lost place 6th, behind from 9th, last of 8, well behind Tiptoeaway (11-7) at Wetherby 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Oct.
Moiqen (IRE) 4-1 (10-6) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, slight mistake and dropped to 4th 4 out, soon ridden and no impression, left moderate 3rd 2 out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 9, 21l behind Darenjan (10-13) at Thurles 2m hcp chs gd.
Glenstar (IRE) 33-1 (11-3) Chased leaders and never a factor, moderate 5th after halfway, tailed off, last of 5, well behind Call The Police (11-3) at Thurles 2m 2f chs Grade 3 (1) in Jan.
Knocklong (IRE) 12-1 (11-5) Mid-division, moderate 5th before halfway, moderate 6th 2 out, no impression, 6th of 12, 18l behind Toner D'Oudairies (11-12) at Fairyhouse 2m 1f beg chs sft.
Sea Master (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Mid-division, progress from 3 out, ridden in 5th next, no extra from last, 7th of 20, 6l behind Lord Alfie (11-1) at Fairyhouse 2m 5f hcp chs 0-102 sft.
Vinnes Friend (IRE) 14-1 (11-7) Waited with towards rear, no danger in moderate 5th and kept on same pace from 2 out (normal 3 out), 5th of 6, 26l behind Castle Genie (11-7) at Clonmel 2m mrs beg chs in Mar.
Abarta (IRE) 25-1 (11-9) Tracked leaders on inner, 5th halfway, ridden and no extra 4 out, weakened and pulled up before next, in a race won by Whiskey And Red (11-8) at Thurles 3m hcp chs 0-102 hvy in Dec, 11 ran.
