mid-division on outer, pushed along and dropped towards rear before 9th, soon no extra, well behind when pulled up before 3 out
prominent and led after 2nd, not fluent 4 out, pushed along entering straight, ridden and headed approaching last, led again early run-in and kept on under pressure, headed closing stages
led early, tracked leaders and slight mistake 3rd, 6th halfway, not fluent 4 out, soon pushed along and no extra when mistake next, weakened
prominent, 2nd halfway, pushed along approaching straight and lost place 3 out, soon no extra
prominent early, tracked leaders, slight mistake 5th, 4th halfway, not fluent 4 out and soon no extra, no threat in straight
tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, 2nd travelling well early straight and pushed along to lead approaching last, headed early run-in, soon ridden and kept on well to regain lead closing stages
mid-division, slight mistake 3rd, no impression after 4 out and no extra early straight
tracked leaders, 5th halfway, not fluent 4 out, no impression after 3 out, no extra from 2 out, weakened
mid-division, headway after 4 out and 4th approaching straight, 3rd 2 out, soon ridden and no impression approaching last, kept on one pace run-in
always towards rear, never a factor, slight mistake 2nd, pushed along and no impression after 4 out, no threat in straight
always towards rear, never a factor, no extra after 4 out and pulled up before next
towards rear, some headway after 4 out and 6th approaching straight, pushed along in 4th before 2 out where slight mistake, no impression approaching last, kept on one pace
mid-division, 7th after 4 out and no extra early straight, weakened, never a factor
always rear, never a factor, detached 5 out and well behind when pulled up before 2 out
Willie Mullins could have the answer to this with either Golden Spread or MINELLA ENCORE. The former, a dual bumper winner and the pick of Paul Townend, made his hurdling debut in a Grade 1 at Punchestown in May and ran well for a long way so should be winning soon. However, the latter, another with two bumper victories to his credit, has a fitness advantage having chased home his very smart stable companion Drury at Punchestown and that could prove invaluable. Deal With It had just the two runs last winter, showing real potential on both occasions and today's trip is certain to suit as it is for Escaria Ten, a winning point-to-pointer who ran quite well on heavy ground at Fairyhouse in November. Dual bumper winner Shanwalla shouldn't be dismissed as he ran a fine race when third in a Cheltenham handicap in November.
Aracaras (IRE) 50-1 (11-4) Always behind, detached before halfway, pulled up before 2 out, at Limerick 2m 4f mdn hvy in Dec.
Atlantic Shore (IRE) 13-2 (11-4) Tracked leaders, improved to lead 4 out, soon pushed along, headed and ridden 3 out, 4th entering straight, no impression on leaders, 4th of 9, 35l behind Monkfish (11-4) at Fairyhouse 2m 7f mdn hvy in Dec.
Berkerys Enigma (IRE) 100-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, slight mistake 5th, 5th halfway, pushed along after 3 out and no extra approaching straight, 6th of 17, 29l behind Sailingtobyzantium (10-11) at Clonmel 2m 3f mdn sft in Dec.
Captain Jimmy (IRE) 50-1 (11-4) Rear of mid-division, 11th halfway, ridden and no impression in 7th before 2 out, kept on one pace, 6th of 16, dist behind Jason The Militant (11-4) at Limerick 2m mdn hvy in Dec.
Deal With It 11-4fav (11-12) Led, not always fluent jumping, joined from before last, soon headed and kept on without matching winner, 2nd of 21, 1 1/2l behind Halsafari (11-12) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f mdn Yielding in Jan.
Escaria Ten (FR) 8-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, close 4th 3 out, ridden in 3rd entering straight, went 2nd 2 out, no impression on winner and dropped to moderate 3rd before last, no impression, 3rd of 16, 9 3/4l behind Diol Ker (11-4) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f mdn hvy in Nov.
Friary Land 100-1 (11-4) Rear of mid-division, 8th halfway, slight mistake 5 out, ridden and no impression from 3 out, tailed off, 6th of 11, dist behind Assemble (11-12) at Limerick 2m 4f mdn hvy in Dec.
Golden Spread 9-1 (12-0) Prominent and disputed lead, pushed along and headed approaching straight, ridden and no impression under 2f out, no extra over 1f out, kept on one pace, 8th of 10, 10l behind Colreevy (11-7) at Punchestown 2m (1) Yielding in May.
Minella Encore (IRE) 11-8fav (11-12) Mid-division on inner, headway into 5th 3 out, 3rd next, ridden in 2nd entering straight, soon no impression on winner, kept on same pace in moderate 2nd inside final furlong, 2nd of 15, 16l behind Drury (11-5) at Punchestown 2m 6f mdn sft in Nov.
Quarry Rebel (IRE) 4-1 (12-2) Tr ldr in 2nd, ld aftr 4th, b mstk 6out, hdd 2out, 5l 2nd & btn when mstk last, kow flat, 2nd of 7, 3l behind Papal Present (12-2) at Dromahane 3m mdn hvy in Apr.
Quarry Royale (IRE) 66-1 (12-0) Always towards rear, never a factor, ridden and detached under 5f out, weakened, completely tailed off, 10th of 11, dist behind Asterion Forlonge (12-0) at Thurles 2m sft in Nov.
Shanwalla (IRE) 33-1 (10-4) A little keen, not always fluent jumping, soon tracked leaders, 5th from 5th, lost place approaching 2 out, weakened, 18th of 25, dist behind Treacysenniscorthy (9-12) at Leopardstown 3m hcp sft in Dec.
Celine Soprano (IRE) 12-1 (11-9) Chased leaders in 3rd, soon 4th, closer over 2f out, ridden in 5th over 2f out, not quicken approaching final furlong in 4th, kept on one pace, 4th of 6, 11l behind The Getaway Star (11-6) at Cork 2m Soft - Heavy in Nov.
Lizavoura (IRE) 66-1 (11-5) Waited with, in rear and reminders after 6th, under pressure next, soon dropped behind, completely tailed off, last of 10, dist behind Noureev (11-12) at Clonmel 2m 3f mdn Good - Yielding in Mar.
