made all, went a few lengths clear 4 out, reduced advantage entering straight, ridden to assert after 2 out, kept on well from last
always in rear, no impression from 4 out, weakened
chased leader early, 3rd from 4th, 4th 6 out, some progress into 3rd before 4 out, ridden and no impression 3 out, weakened
held up early, closer in 4th after 4th, 3rd 6 out, improved into 2nd 5 out, closed on leader entering straight, ridden 2 out, no impression last, kept on same pace
chased leaders and slight mistake 1st, 5th from after 4th, mistake 5 out, no impression next and weakened
chased leaders, slight mistake 3rd, 2nd from next, niggled along before 5 out, ridden in 4th before 4 out, no extra next and weakened
PUMBAA was impressive when making a successful start over fences at Tramore though it didn't look much of a race. He couldn't quite keep up the gallop when attempting to make all at Galway but wasn't beaten far and can improve enough to concede weight all round. Elegant Statesman returned to his best at Punchestown and has the form for this though that was on quick going and any further rain would limit his chances. Spot Fine never won in 20 starts over timber but took only five runs over fences to get off the mark when just holding off the odds-on Time Please at Sligo, though he'll need to jump better here. The veteran Swiftmarc has a victory over slightly further on this track to his credit and scored over timber at Kilbeggan in September so should go well but anyone tempted to support Whisky Galore after a much better run at Galway should note that he's 6lb out of the handicap and hasn't won in 56 career starts. Luke's Benefit completed a hat-trick at the turn of the year and isn't too badly treated with his rider's claim taken into consideration.
Pumbaa (IRE) 5-2 (11-4) Led, ridden and challenged after last, headed 1f out, no impression in 3rd inside final furlong, kept on one pace, 3rd of 6, 1 3/4l behind Cavite Beta (11-2) at Galway 2m 1f nov chs 0-130 gd in Oct.
Luke's Benefit (IRE) 8-1 (10-8) Soon raced in 2nd, on terms from 6 out, led next, joined 3 out, headed and dropped to 3rd approaching straight, soon no impression, weakened and dropped to moderate 4th run-in, 4th of 6, 26l behind Page Turner (10-7) at Limerick 2m 1f hcp chs in Mar.
Elegant Statesman (IRE) 5-2 (11-1) Tracked leader in 2nd, moderate 2nd halfway, closer 2nd 3 out, ridden next, stayed on well under hands and heels to lead close home, cheekily, won at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp chs gf in Oct beating Old Supporter (10-1) by 1/2l, 6 ran.
Spot Fine 8-1 (11-12) Made virtually all, slight mistake 3rd, not fluent 3 out and again when ridden next, joined briefly entering straight, led last, stayed on well under pressure inside final furlong, all out at line, won at Sligo 2m 4f beg chs gd in Oct beating Time Please (11-12) by ns, 4 ran.
Angelas Money (IRE) 25-1 (11-9) Tracked leader in 2nd, lost place from 4 out, no extra in rear straight, jumped left last, 6th of 7, 37l behind Hunting Party (11-12) at Gowran Park 2m 4f beg chs in Nov '13.
Whisky Galore 25-1 (9-10) Prominent, led 2nd, joined 3 out, ridden and headed entering straight, kept on under pressure, no impression on easy winner inside final furlong, 2nd of 9, 4l behind Valours Minion (9-10) at Galway 2m 1f hcp chs gd in Oct.
Swiftmarc (IRE) 14-1 (10-7) Led and disputed, slight mistake 4th, ridden and narrowly headed before 2 out, kept on to dispute again run-in, just prevailed at line, won at Kilbeggan 2m 3f cond hcp hdl gd in Sep beating War Of The Pennys (11-2) by shd, 10 ran.
