held up in 5th, ridden and no extra before straight, weakened before 2 out, trailing and fell last
led and clear, slightly reduced advantage after 3 out and reduced advantage 2 out, ridden before last where pressed, kept on run-in, headed close home
raced moderate 3rd, 2nd from 4th, ridden before straight, closed on leader before 2 out, challenged last, kept on well run-in to lead close home
raced in moderate 4th, 3rd from 4 out, ridden before straight, closer but under pressure before 2 out, no extra before last where slight mistake, lost 3rd run-in
held up in rear, slight mistakes 1st, 5th and 3 out, progress into 4th before straight, ridden and no impression before 2 out, kept on one pace run-in to go 3rd
chased leader in moderate 2nd, 3rd from 4th, 4th from 4 out, ridden in 5th and no impression before straight, mistake 2 out and no extra
DAMUT went up 7lb for winning a handicap over the track and trip in May but the race worked out so well that the assessor gave him another 2lb, which didn't prevent him following up over a longer trip at Cork in August. He's up another 8lb here but hasn't had much racing and can complete a hat-trick. Erik The Third also arrives in cracking form having battled to victory at Tramore to complete a double and a 5lb rise is not excessive though those victories were gained on good ground. Tobar Na Gaoise won twice on the Flat but has yet to score over hurdles. He's rarely been beaten far and with Barry Geraghty taking over for the first time he's no forlorn hope to beat his in-form rivals. He finished in front of Pacelli Road at Fairyhouse last time while Holeinthewall Bar's only success over hurdles in 20 starts came over 2m4f. Two four-year-olds have won this in recent years but it's a big ask for the pair at the bottom of this handicap on ground likely to be testing.
Pacelli Road (IRE) 16-1 (11-5) In rear, 10th after 4th, 9th 4 out, some progress to 7th 2 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace, 6th of 12, 13 3/4l behind Colla Pier (10-10) at Fairyhouse 2m hcp gd in Oct.
Holeinthewall Bar (IRE) 20-1 (11-3) Soon mid-division, 11th from 3rd, chased leaders straight, kept on same pace from after 3 out,, 4th of 22, 10 1/4l behind Phil The Flyer (11-5) at Navan 2m hcp gd in Sep.
Damut (IRE) 4-1fav (11-1) Chased leaders, 6th halfway, progress into 2nd 3 out, soon ridden, stayed on to lead 2 out where jumped right and slight mistake, kept on well under pressure from before last, won at Cork 2m 3f hcp Yielding in Aug beating Indian Rupee (11-2) by 2 1/4l, 19 ran.
Tobar Na Gaoise (IRE) 9-2fav (10-7) Soon held up 7th, 6th at 4th, headway to 4th 2 out, soon driven, not fluent last, kept on same pace, lost 4th on line, 5th of 12, 11 1/4l behind Colla Pier (10-10) at Fairyhouse 2m hcp gd in Oct.
Trade Marked (IRE) 66-1 (10-10) Took keen hold early, soon in rear, detached before 7th, soon no impression and one pace from before straight, 4th of 5, 17 1/2l behind Tigris River (11-3) at Limerick 2m 2f Yielding in Oct.
Miss Gally Rio (IRE) 20-1 (11-3) Mid-division, 10th 4 out, soon ridden and weakened, 11th of 15, 33 1/4l behind Mystic Princess (10-10) at Sligo 2m hcp sft in May.
Eric The Third (IRE) 11-2fav (11-6) Led or disputed lead, headed before 4 out, led again approaching 2 out, ridden and kept on well run-in, won at Tramore 2m hcp gd in Oct beating Borussia (11-5) by 3/4l, 12 ran.
