held up, not fluent early, behind when pulled up before 6 out
tracked leaders, 3rd 6 out, 5th under pressure 3 out, soon no extra
held up, moderate 7th 3 out, soon no extra
tracked leaders, 4th approaching halfway, 3rd and progress 4 out, moderate 2nd and ridden after 3 out, hard ridden and headway after 2 out, challenged after last, drifted left under pressure, just failed
held up, 4th and headway approaching 6 out, led from next, clear after 3 out, ridden and strongly pressed from last, drifted left under pressure, all out to hold on
held up towards rear, 6th and progress 3 out, moderate 3rd 2 out, kept on same pace
soon led, clear early, mistake and headed 6 out, weakened quickly, tailed off
tracked leaders in 3rd, 2nd 4 out, 3rd and no impression next, 4th from 2 out
settled 2nd, dropped to 4th halfway, 5th when mistake 6 out, 4th and effort after 3 out, no extra next
Edward O'Grady's OOLA LAD beat Old Hall comfortably here a month ago for his opening success over fences but he'd been unlucky on a couple of occasions previously and can take this if getting round safely. He's been raised 8lbs for that victory and third-placed Finisk Rose, who was less than six lengths behind, should get much closer this time. The Ballynonty-based handler complicates matters by also saddling Peplum, the mount of Andrew McNamara, who may just need the run after an absence since August. Gentleman Jim has had 10 starts over fences without winning but has some good efforts to his credit including a fair third behind Swiftmarc on fast ground at Punchestown last month.
Step Outside (IRE) 33-1 (11-1) Held up, weakened from 6 out, trailing when pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Bella Mana Mou (10-4) at Navan 3m nov chs hvy in Mar '09, 19 ran.
Johnny Gonzalez (IRE) 14-1 (11-11) Mid-division, no impression from 5 out, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Tooman Lane (10-2) at Clonmel 2m 4f hcp chs 0-123 hvy in Feb, 13 ran.
Peplum (FR) 13-2 (11-6) Soon last of the 4, weakened under pressure from before straight, last of 4, 43l behind Barna Bay (11-6) at Galway 2m 6f nov chs hvy in Aug.
Surenaga (IRE) 20-1 (10-2) Chased leaders, 6th halfway, soon ridden, no threat from 3 out, 11th of 18, 45l behind Jack Finch (10-11) at Listowel 2m 6f hcp chs gf.
Oola Lad (IRE) 6-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, went 3rd halfway, left in front after 5 out, drew clear entering straight, 5 lengths lead when blundered badly at last, recovered and kept on well under pressure, won at Clonmel 2m 4f hcp chs 0-102 gd in May beating Old Hall (10-12) by 1l, 15 ran.
Leegane (IRE) 33-1 (10-10) Chased leaders, closed before 4 out, soon 2nd, 3rd into straight, lost place and no impression from before 2 out, short of room before last, eased run-in, 6th of 8, 45l behind Noble Prince (11-7) at Naas 2m 4f hdl sft in Oct.
Deputy Consort (USA) 10-1 (11-9) Slight mistake 1st, mid-division best, moderate 9th after 4 out, soon no impression, 8th of 12, 43l behind Got Attitude (11-12) at Gowran Park 2m beg chase sft in Mar.
Gentleman Jim (IRE) 16-1 (11-12) Led after 1st, clear before 4th, reduced advantage 3 out, ridden and headed before last, no extra and kept on same pace, 3rd of 12, 10l behind Swiftmarc (11-12) at Punchestown 2m 4f hdl gf in May.
Finisk Rose (IRE) 20-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, 6th halfway, 5th 3 out, 3rd approaching next, no impression from 2 out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 18, 6l behind Old Hall (11-9) at Tipperary 2m 4f hcp chs 0-95 gf.
Thewritinonthewall 8-1 (11-10) Tracked leading pair, closed up 7th, mistake 11th, ridden and weakened 4 out, behind when blundered last, tailed off, 4th of 5, well behind Michigan Assassin (11-3) at Ffos Las 2m 3f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf.
