held up towards rear, ridden in 6th entering straight, under pressure in 4th 2 out, kept on same pace run-in to 3rd close home
led, ridden and pressed before 2 out, headed 2 out, under pressure in 3rd before last, kept on same pace, lost 3rd close home
mid-division, progress into 4th entering straight, ridden to challenge 2 out, soon disputed, edged ahead before last, kept on well run-in
held up towards rear, slight mistake 2nd and mistake 8th, ridden into 5th entering straight, no extra before 2 out, kept on one pace
chased leaders, 5th halfway, ridden into 2nd entering straight, no extra in 4th before 2 out, kept on one pace
chased leader, slight mistake 4th, 3rd halfway, 2nd 3 out, ridden and no extra entering straight
chased leaders, slight mistake 3rd, 4th halfway, ridden into 3rd entering straight, challenged before 2 out, disputed 2 out, narrowly headed before last, kept on same pace run-in
held up towards rear, swift progress to chase leader before 4th, 2nd halfway. ridden in 5th 3 out, soon no extra, weakened entering straight and pulled up before 2 out
mid-division early, slight mistake 8th and towards rear, weakened 5 out, pulled up after 3 out
Blackthorn Prince has improved out of all recognition and though having had to battle for his two latest victories they were over this tricky course and distance so he has to be respected despite another 7lb rise. Gusty Rocky won on the Flat at Down Royal in September then wasn't beaten far in a slightly better handicap than this at Gowran last month and Ruby Walsh is a positive booking. SEA LIGHT, a winner at Killarney in August, makes a quick reappearance after an excellent third in a Listed handicap at Cheltenham on Saturday and that form should be good enough for this. The veteran chaser Bless The Wings hasn't run over hurdles for two years which is why he's on a 20lb lower mark but he's no doubt warming up for a crack at a lucrative handicap over fences at Fairyhouse which he won last year.
Gusty Rocky (IRE) 13-2jfav (11-10) Held up, soon in rear, closed 4 out, chased leader straight, no impression and kept on same pace from last, 4th of 17, 4l behind Supreme Vinnie (10-11) at Gowran Park 3m hcp gd in Oct.
Misty Lady (IRE) 12-1 (11-3) Settled 3rd behind clear leaders, not fluent at 5th, pushed along in 4th after 3 out, ridden entering straight, weakened before 2 out, 10th of 14, 26 3/4l behind Sir Scorpion (10-13) at Naas 2m 4f hcp Good - Yielding in Nov.
Sea Light (IRE) 12-1 (10-7) Mid-division, outpaced 3 out, headway under pressure after next, came towards stands side rail before last, soon ridden, went 3rd and kept on flat, no impression, 3rd of 13, 8l behind Anteros (10-2) at Cheltenham 3m 1f hcp lst (1) sft in Nov.
Bless The Wings (IRE) 9-4jfav (11-12) Slightly slow 2nd, soon towards rear, last and slow 6th, moderate 6th 2 out and no impression, one pace, 7th of 10, 34 1/4l behind Quantitativeeasing (11-12) at Punchestown 4m 1f gf in Apr.
Little Haarth (IRE) 12-1 (10-10) Raced 6th behind clear leaders, dropped to 10th after 3 out, soon ridden, 7th at last, kept on to 6th close home, no threat, 6th of 14, 9 3/4l behind Sir Scorpion (10-13) at Naas 2m 4f hcp Good - Yielding in Nov.
Weather Watch (IRE) 9-1 (10-9) Raced 4th behind clear leaders, closer in 3rd after 3 out, improved to lead narrowly 2 out, ridden and headed before last, 4th at last, kept on same pace to 3rd, 3rd of 14, 5 1/2l behind Sir Scorpion (10-13) at Naas 2m 4f hcp Good - Yielding in Nov.
Blackthorn Prince 2-1fav (10-11) Settled behind leaders, 5th halfway, progress into 3rd 4 out, challenged entering straight and led before 2 out, pressed and slight mistake 2 out, soon ridden, disputed before last, kept on best run-in to assert closing stages, won at Clonmel 3m hcp gd in Oct beating Trade Marked (10-5) by 3/4l, 11 ran.
Coolmill (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) Chased leader in 2nd, 3rd 5 out, dropped to 4th 4 out, ridden next, no impression in 3rd 2 out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 6, 7l behind Kilcarry Bridge (11-12) at Thurles 2m 6f gd in Nov.
Missyspet (IRE) 20-1 (9-10) Towards rear, 12th halfway, some progress on outer before 4 out, pushed along in 8th and mistake 2 out, kept on one pace, 7th of 13, 18 3/4l behind Definite Ruby (9-12) at Punchestown 2m 5f hcp Yielding in Apr.
