close up, slight mistake 4th, lost place quickly from 6th where slight mistake, soon dropped to last, pulled up from next
soon tracked leaders, close 4th at halfway, no extra from before straight
held up, slight mistake 3rd, 8th at halfway, improved to be close up from 3 out and on terms into straight, slight mistake 2 out, headed before last, one pace
soon chased leaders, slight mistake 4th, 5th at halfway, pushed along from 3 out, no extra from before straight
mid-division early, slight mistake 4th, 6th at halfway, no impression when slight mistake 3 out, weakened and pulled up before 2 out
mid-division early, 7th at halfway, soon improved, close up from 3 out, pushed along into straight and on terms, led before last, stayed on well to assert run-in
soon towards rear, pushed along at stages, 10th at halfway, reminders 7th, soon no danger, pulled up before 2 out
soon led, joined 3 out, soon headed and no extra
held up, 9th at halfway, soon headway until no impression from before straight, bad mistake 2 out and no extra
soon prominent, disputed 2nd at halfway, no extra from before straight
soon prominent, slight mistake 4th, disputed 2nd at halfway, on terms from 3 out, soon led, headed into straight, no extra approaching 2 out
ALI BIN NAYEF is an infrequent winner but gained his first victory over hurdles at Fairyhouse last month before just failing to overcome a 7lb rise at Limerick on Friday. He's up another 3lb but it will be a surprise if he isn't in the action again and gets the vote. Alices Man has been racing in the UK and won a handicap at Hexham in October. He returned there to finish fourth over fences last month but doesn't look particularly well handicapped over timber. Loch Luatha has yet to win in 17 starts over hurdles and though he's been performing much better in recent weeks he's been racing over the minimum trip. Ballymadun had shown virtually nothing before landing a Gowran handicap on heavy going then reverted to type with a poor display at Punchestown.
Ned's Indian (IRE) 50-1 (11-12) Chased clear 2nd, closer in 5th at 4th, weakened to 9th before 2 out, no extra, 9th of 10, 26 1/4l behind Fort Montagu (11-12) at Tramore 2m mdn Yielding in Aug.
Ali Bin Nayef 4-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, 5th halfway, pushed along and no impression in 3rd approaching straight, headway 2 out and ridden to challenge last, under pressure and edged left run-in, no impression on winner closing stages, 2nd of 7, 1/2l behind Dromore Lad (11-6) at Limerick 2m 5f hcp sft in Dec.
Ballymadun 9-1 (10-13) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, ridden before 2 out where mistake, soon no extra, 14th of 16, 35 1/4l behind Artic Pearl (11-0) at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp Yielding - Soft in Oct.
In Our Blood (IRE) 100-1 (11-12) Rear of mid-division, never a factor, pushed along and no extra 3 out, weakened, 12th of 16, dist behind Ten Ten (11-9) at Down Royal 2m mdn sft in Nov.
Demi Plie (IRE) 20-1 (11-6) Rear of mid-division for most, ridden and no impression before straight, 11th of 17, 23 1/4l behind Oakfield Rose (11-3) at Thurles 2m hcp hvy in Nov.
Battling Spirit (IRE) 11-2 (11-3) Held up, a little keen, 10th from 6th, ran on without threatening run-in into 5th near line, 5th of 17, 6 1/2l behind Presentingoscar (11-11) at Clonmel 2m 4f hcp sft in Nov.
Alices Man (IRE) 4-1fav (10-5) Close up, led 6th, headed before 8th, tracked winner until blundered 3 out, one pace, 4th of 11, 6 3/4l behind Frank The Slink (10-4) at Hexham 3m hcp (5) sft in Nov.
Secret Approach (IRE) 15-2 (10-0) Ran in snatches, in touch on inside, weakened 3 out, 6th of 9, 18 1/4l behind Too Many Chiefs (11-2) at Ayr 3m hcp (4) hvy in Nov.
Jimmyjames 66-1 (10-6) Rear, 12th at 5th, good headway to 4th after 4 out, no impression 3 out, soon ridden, no extra, 5th of 13, 25l behind Conna Cross (11-11) at Cork 2m hcp Soft - Heavy in Nov.
Loch Luatha (IRE) 11-2jfav (10-11) Disputed early, soon chased leader in 2nd, led after 3rd, headed before 3 out, ridden in 4th entering straight, stayed on to dispute 2nd last, 2nd and kept on same pace run-in, pressed for 2nd close home, 2nd of 17, 8l behind Oakfield Rose (11-3) at Thurles 2m hcp hvy in Nov.
Miss Mcilroy (IRE) 10-1 (10-4) Chased leaders, 6th halfway, ridden in 8th after 2 out, soon no impression, no extra before last, 6th of 20, 28l behind Crack On Corrie (10-4) at Galway 2m 2f hcp Soft - Heavy in Oct.
Sunset Sadie (IRE) 10-1 (11-9) In rear, pushed along at stages, never a factor, 13th of 15, dist behind Tintown Robin (11-10) at Clonmel 2m 1f hcp sft in Nov.
Ballea Fox 125-1 (11-7) In rear, 18th after 4 out, no extra, never a factor, 17th of 23, dist behind Shady Operator (11-7) at Cork 2m mdn sft in Nov.
