held up towards rear, progress into 6th at 5th, slight mistakes 3 out and 2 out, ridden and no impression after last, kept on one pace
always towards rear, ridden and no impression after last, weakened entering straight, tailed off
mid-division, closer in 5th at 5th, slight mistake 2 out, slightly slow last and soon ridden, no impression before straight, 4th and kept on one pace from 2f out
disputed, led after 1st, slight mistake 4th, joined and disputed at 5th, dropped to 3rd last, ridden in 4th before straight, no extra straight
disputed early, chased leader after 1st, improved to dispute and mistake at 5th, led 2 out, headed after last and soon ridden, kept on same pace under pressure from before straight
mid-division, 6th halfway, ridden in 8th last, no impression before straight, kept on one pace closing stages
chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden into 3rd before straight, no impression over 2f out, kept on one pace
always towards rear, ridden and no impression last, weakened before straight, tailed off
chased leaders, mistake 4th, 3rd halfway, improved to challenge last, soon led, ridden to assert 2f out, clear over 1f out, kept on strongly closing stages
mid-division, dropped towards rear at 5th, weakened 3 out, completely tailed off
Veneziano Springs has started at huge prices in all three runs over fences and though placed at Thurles and Gowran was well beaten in both and will need more, even in this moderate contest. Monbeg Chit Chat won a maiden hurdle here last March and has been very well supported in both starts over the bigger obstacles but hasn't shown any real aptitude for fences to date. Dual point-to-point winner Freeway Space is another yet to produce the goods over the bigger obstacles so a process of eliminations leads to FINTARA. Jessica Harrington's charge managed to win a Punchestown bumper and though disappointing when well beaten over hurdles in the autumn has always looked more likely to make a chaser. Winning bumper and hurdler Golan Lodge may prove best of the remainder.
Golan Lodge (IRE) 33-1 (11-12) Rear of mid-division, good headway approaching straight, no impression when slightly hampered and left 4th 2 out, no extra, 4th of 12, 33 1/2l behind Montalbano (11-12) at Gowran Park 2m hvy in Jan.
Johnny Sue (IRE) 3-1cfav (11-7) Mid-division, some headway approaching 3 out, 5th entering straight, ridden and no extra approaching last, 5th of 11, 17 1/2l behind Urbanist (10-11) at Punchestown 2m hcp Soft - Heavy in Dec.
Lyreen Lad (IRE) 33-1 (11-3) Held up, 6th at 5th, not fluent 10th, moderate 5th approaching straight and no impression, soon no extra, 5th of 8, dist behind Goose Man (11-3) at Navan 2m 4f hvy in Dec.
Monbeg Chit Chat 11-10fav (11-12) Prominent, left disputing lead from 4th, headed approaching 6th where slight mistake, not fluent 3 out and lost place, soon no extra and pulled up before 2 out, at Clonmel 2m hvy in Dec.
Veneziano Springs (FR) 25-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, pushed along early straight, slight mistake 2 out and left 3rd, ridden and no impression approaching last, no extra, 3rd of 12, 20 1/2l behind Montalbano (11-12) at Gowran Park 2m hvy in Jan.
Winter Breeze (IRE) 20-1 (9-12) Prominent in chasing group, not fluent 6th, no extra from 3 out, 9th of 12, dist behind Lite Duties (11-3) at Cork 2m 4f hcp hvy in Jan.
Doldido (IRE) 15-2 (11-7) Led, headed after 2nd and chased leader, ridden and weakened after 3 out, 10th of 16, dist behind Broder (10-8) at Thurles 2m 4f hcp hvy in Nov.
Ballykea Star (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) Disputed lead briefly early, soon led and went on, headed before 3 out, weakened and pulled up before 2 out, at Wexford 3m hcp hvy in Oct.
Freeway Space (IRE) 5-1 (11-7) Towards rear early, took closer order at 2nd, 3rd at 5th, progress to 2nd at 7th, dropped to 5th after 3 out, weakened and eased, pulled up before 2 out, at Limerick 2m 4f hvy in Dec.
Robbina (IRE) 66-1 (11-0) Always rear, never a factor, detached before 7th, no extra, behind and pulled up before 2 out, at Thurles 2m 4f (1) hvy in Jan.
Fintara (IRE) 12-1 (10-10) Chased leaders, led before 2nd, clear before next, reduce advantage after 4 out, headed before 3 out, soon ridden, no extra in 3rd entering straight, 5th 2 out, left moderate 4th last, 4th of 12, 37l behind The Kings Baby (11-4) at Thurles 2m 4f hcp Yielding in Nov.
