soon tracked leaders, led before 4 out, joined after 3 out, ridden before straight, dropped to 4th approaching 2 out, soon no extra, fell last
always prominent, on terms after 3 out, led travelling well approaching 2 out, clear last, ridden out run-in, comfortably
in touch towards rear, ridden into 5th approaching 2 out, soon no impression and kept on same pace
prominent early, no extra 3 out, tailed off
chased leaders, ridden in 3rd approaching 2 out, soon no impression and kept on same pace
in touch towards rear, no extra 3 out, tailed off
led, slight mistake 3rd, headed before 4 out, soon weakened, mistake next, tailed off
soon chased leaders, ridden in 4th after 3 out, 2nd approaching next, soon no impression and kept on same pace
Mansony hasn't won since beating Watson Lake in a Grade 2 at Punchestown two years ago and though this is a big drop in grade he's been out of form for some time. It's even longer since Mossbank was successful - a Grade 2 over the C&D in November 2007 - and he's another who has shown little recently while In Compliance, once a very promising sort who beat War Of Attrition in the 2006 John Durkan, has gone backwards. Dooney's Gate made a fair reappearance in a tough Leopardstown handicap last month and should go well as should Northern Alliance, though he has the Grand National as his target. CATCH ME is probably ideally suited by this trip but ran very well behind Majestic Concorde in the three mile Paddy Power at Leopardstown over Christmas and gets the nod.
Catch Me (GER) 16-1 (11-6) In touch, 6th halfway, 9th 4 out, 8th after 3 out, kept on under pressure from 2 out, 5th of 28, 11l behind Majestic Concorde (11-9) at Leopardstown 3m hcp chs 0-145 hvy in Dec.
Dooneys Gate (IRE) 12-1 (11-7) Towards rear, pushed along and trailing halfway, some headway into 8th approaching straight, 4th at last, kept on one pace, 4th of 12, 2 3/4l behind Rare Bob (11-10) at Leopardstown 2m 5f hcp chs sft in Jan.
In Compliance (IRE) 5-2fav (11-9) In touch in rear, 6th and progress 3 out, moderate 3rd before 2 out, one pace, 4th of 8, 9l behind Barker (11-12) at Tramore 2m 5f lst chs (1) hvy in Jan.
Mr Warbucks (IRE) 5-1 (11-2) Led, headed and ridden from 4 out, no impression from 3 out, 5th of 10, 11l behind New Phase (11-12) at Cork 2m hdl sft in Nov.
Northern Alliance (IRE) 33-1 (10-6) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, close 3rd 2 out, 2nd at last, no extra under pressure run-in, 4th of 26, 3 1/2l behind Final Approach (10-9) at Leopardstown 2m hcp hdl 0-145 sft in Jan.
Glenfinn Captain (IRE) 20-1 (11-3) Rear of mid-division, raced wide, no impression when fell 4 out, in a race won by Coolcashin (10-9) at Punchestown 3m 1f hcp chs 0-145 gd in Apr, 23 ran.
Mansony (FR) 12-1 (11-13) Soon towards rear, trailing from 3 out, 9th of 10, 47l behind Askthemaster (10-4) at Leopardstown 2m 1f hcp chs 0-140 sft in Dec.
Mossbank (IRE) 28-1 (11-3) Led until fell 7th, in a race won by Follow The Plan (11-3) at Thurles 2m 4f chs Grd 2 (1) sft in Jan, 9 ran.
