FORITSA has really found his form since turning to fences and completed a double in impressive style at Thurles. He's been raised 10lb but, with his rider able to claim 7lb, should complete a hat-trick. Instant Impacked is well handicapped if able to return to form, though he's been a bit in and out the past year. Hillman won three and was placed in three from six starts within a year up to last May and will be better for a recent run at Cork though he was beaten a long way. Castle Wings was facing a losing battle against the long odds-on Blood Cotil at Cork but was left clear at the second last for a fortunate victory. He was facing a very useful opponent that day and his earlier form puts him in the frame for this.
Castle Wings (IRE) 7-2 (11-12) Chased leader in 2nd, a little slow 4 out, brought towards near side in straight, challenged 3 out and jumped a little right last 3, struggling to match leader when left clear 2 out, steadied into last, stayed on well run-in, won at Cork 2m 4f beg chase hvy in Jan beating West Council (11-7) by 24l, 7 ran.
Tinakellylad (IRE) 16-1 (11-13) Chased leaders, led 5th, mistake next, clear and disputed from halfway, ridden in 5th after 4 out, soon no extra and weakened, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Too Late To Sell (10-1) at Punchestown 3m 1f in Jan, 19 ran.
Ring Ben (IRE) 14-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, 6th halfway, ridden entering straight, under pressure in 5th 3 out, 4th last, kept on one pace, 4th of 14, 17l behind Some Tikket (11-12) at Gowran Park 2m 2f beg chase in Jan.
Beckwith Star (IRE) 14-1 (11-8) Tracked leaders, 4th 3 out, ridden and progress into 2nd entering straight , soon no impression on winner, dropped to 3rd run-in, 3rd of 10, 8l behind Luke's Benefit (11-0) at Punchestown 2m hcp chs 0-116 hvy in Dec.
Instant Impacked (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) Held up, hampered 6th, improved into 4th 3 out, no impression when got slight bump 2 out, weakened, 6th of 11, 49l behind Playing (10-13) at Cork 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 hvy in Jan.
Special Token (IRE) 16-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders in 4th, ridden and no extra approaching 3 out, weakened, tailed off, 13th of 16, well behind Day Dream Boy (11-5) at Fairyhouse 2m 7f hcp hdl 80-109 in Jan.
Hidden Crack 16-1 (11-4) Led, headed 2nd, ridden along from 4th, weakened from 4 out, 9th of 15, 33l behind Hold Em Cowboy (10-4) at Fairyhouse 2m 5f hcp chs 0-116 sft in Jan.
Hillman (IRE) 5-1 (10-7) Soon mid-division, lost place from 7th, pushed along towards rear from 5 out, no extra straight, 7th of 11, well behind Playing (10-13) at Cork 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 hvy in Jan.
Jolily (IRE) 20-1 (10-10) Mid-division, 8th at 11th, no extra after 4 out, behind when pulled up before 2 out,, in a race won by Thelobstercatcher (11-2) at Fairyhouse 3m 1f hcp chs 0-123 in Jan, 14 ran.
Dactik (IRE) 25-1 (11-5) Always in rear, no impression from 4 out, never involved, 11th of 15, well behind Hold Em Cowboy (10-4) at Fairyhouse 2m 5f hcp chs 0-116 sft in Jan.
Carhue (IRE) 20-1 (11-1) Chased leaders early, jumped right 4th, weakened halfway, trailing 7 out, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Wrong Turn (11-0) at Leopardstown 2m 5f cond hcp chs 0-116 in Dec, 18 ran.
Foritsa (IRE) 4-1 (9-12) Chased leader in 2nd, closer halfway, slight mistake 3 out, progress to lead before next and soon asserted, kept on well run-in to draw clear, comfortably,, won at Thurles 2m 2f hcp chs 0-116 sft in Dec beating Moiqen (11-7) by 9l, 13 ran.
Its The Ice I Like (IRE) 8-1 (10-3) Always towards rear, no impression from 5 out, weakened, went badly left at last, 11th of 19, well behind Too Late To Sell (10-1) at Punchestown 3m 1f in Jan.
Popaflora 7-1 (10-1) Tracked leader in 2nd, ridden before 3 out, strongly pressed leader next, dropped to 3rd after 2 out, kept on without threatening winner to go 2nd inside final furlong, 2nd of 9, 1 3/4l behind Mark Me Up (10-8) at Down Royal 2m cnd hcp chs (0-109) hvy.
