chased leaders, slight mistake 2nd, 4th halfway, mistake 4 out, ridden 3 out, closer before straight, under pressure and mistake 2 out, stayed into 2nd run-in, not reach winner
led, ridden and disputed before 2 out, headed before last, no extra and dropped to 3rd run-in, kept on same pace
chased leader in 2nd, challenged entering straight, disputed before 2 out, slight mistake 2 out and soon ridden in 3rd, no extra and pecked last, dropped to 4th run-in and kept on one pace
always towards rear, ridden 4 out, no impression next, weakened and tailed off
chased leaders, 3rd halfway, slight mistake 5 out, closer entering straight, ridden before 2 out, disputed 2 out, led before last, kept on well run-in
held up behind leaders, mainly 5th, slight mistake 6th, slight mistake 3 out and ridden, no impression before straight, kept on one pace
always towards rear, slight mistake 5th and mistake 6th, ridden 4 out, no impression and slight mistake next, weakened and tailed off
The novice Goulane Chosen has been running very well and though carrying a big weight for his handicap debut is potentially better than a 115-rated chaser so should get into the mix. After scoring over 2m6f at Thurles, Rightville Boy was impeded when making progress at the fifth last at Limerick and could never get back. He has to be a threat while Westerner Point was in excellent form in novice company before beaten a long way into second over hurdles at Fairyhouse. O'donoghue's Opera has yet to win and has had plenty of chances so the vote in an open contest goes to VICANGELOME. Robert Tyner's charge is a heavy ground specialist as he showed when scoring over hurdles at Naas last month but he's run well in three starts over fences and looks on a fair mark.
Goulane Chosen (IRE) 9-4 (11-3) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, improved to dispute at 6th, ridden in 2nd after 2 out, kept on from before last without matching winner, 2nd of 9, 1 3/4l behind Westerners Son (11-3) at Thurles 2m hvy in Jan.
Il Fenomeno (ITY) 25-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders in 3rd, ridden and went 2nd briefly 2 out, soon weakened, last before last, no extra, last of 5, 17l behind Renneti (11-2) at Sligo 2m hvy in Aug.
Rightville Boy (IRE) 8-1 (9-11) Towards rear, slightly slow 3rd and 8th, slightly impeded 10th, pushed along after 3 out, no impression in moderate 7th approaching straight, no extra, 6th of 11, 25 1/2l behind Pairofbrowneyes (10-6) at Limerick 2m 4f hcp hvy in Dec.
Westerner Point (IRE) 2-1fav (11-9) Led, mistake 8th, ridden and strongly pressed entering straight, headed after 2 out, kept on same pace in 2nd run-in, 2nd of 9, 22l behind Court Frontier (11-3) at Fairyhouse 2m 7f hcp hvy in Nov.
Vicangelome (FR) 7-2 (11-6) Tracked leaders in 3rd, 2nd 3 out, disputing close 2nd 2 out, soon ridden, led after last, stayed on well run-in, won at Naas 2m hcp hvy in Jan beating Tudor City (10-3) by 1/2l, 7 ran.
O'donoghue's Opera (IRE) 25-1 (10-1) Held up towards rear, progress into 7th 4 out, ridden 2 out, under pressure entering straight, left 6th last, kept on same pace run-in, 5th of 15, 4 1/4l behind The Mooch (10-10) at Leopardstown 2m 1f hcp sft in Jan.
Shadow Play (IRE) 10-1 (10-10) Led, headed approaching 9th, 3rd when pecked 4 out and lost place, soon no extra, weakened, 7th of 11, dist behind Coolnagorna Giggs (10-10) at Thurles 2m 6f hcp sft in Jan.
King Blue (IRE) 5-1 (11-2) Towards rear early, progress on outer into mid-division at halfway, 5th 3 out, ridden and left 4th next, went moderate 3rd before last, kept on same pace, 3rd of 10, 11l behind Flemenstorm (10-12) at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp hvy in Jan.
