soon led, headed into straight, 3rd 3 out, 5th and no extra from next, kept on same pace
waited with, 9th after 4 out, 6th next, moderate 3rd and kept on same pace from 2 out
never better than mid-division
prominent, not fluent 2nd, on terms into straight, 2nd 3 out, dropped to 6th and no impression from 2 out, kept on same pace
soon mid-division, 8th after 4 out, 7th next, soon no impression, kept on same pace
tracked leaders, niggled along before 6 out, slow jump next, ridden after 4 out, soon no extra
waited with, some headway 3 out, soon no impression, kept on same pace
in rear, some headway after 4 out, no impression when fell 2 out
always prominent, a bit slow 6 out, on terms approaching straight, in front 3 out, in command last, stayed on well run-in
soon mid-division, no extra and pulled up before 3 out
always towards rear
towards rear, headway into 8th 3 out, soon no impression, kept on same pace
prominent, 4th after 4 out, lost place and no extra next
soon chased leaders, closer in 5th after 4 out, 4th 3 out, chased winner 2 out, no impression and kept on same pace from last
soon chased leaders, no impression in 4th from 2 out, kept on same pace
chased leaders, 10th after 4 out, soon no extra
Willie Mullins hasn't won this in the past dozen years and MIDNIGHT OIL will need to run a great deal better than on his last two starts if he's to take this. However, he's competed at Grade 1 and 2 level since running Bat Masterson close at Naas in February and this is a huge drop in class so he is handed the vote. Clara Bel La ran well behind Champagne Fever here in November but was beaten a long way at Gowran last month and Lughnasa, who won a bumper on this track in March, ran poorly when strongly fancied at Punchestown in October. It's difficult to get excited about the remainder though winning point-to-pointer Aussie Missile may have some potential.
Another Rebel (IRE) 25-1 (11-12) Soon close up and disputed lead at times, no extra approaching straight, kept on same pace, 6th of 16, 47l behind Courtly Conduct (11-12) at Limerick 2m mdn hdl hvy in Dec.
Aussie Missile (IRE) 5-1 (11-4) Tr ldrs, 3rd 1/2way, ld 4out, strongly pressed last, kow under pressure run-in, won at Ballydarragh 3m ire ptp gs in Nov '11 beating Hattons Wells (11-4) by 1l, 18 ran.
Ballymacrt Boy (IRE) 25-1 (11-7) Led, headed after half a mile, weakened from over 4f out, tailed off, 8th of 9, well behind Heath Hunter (12-0) at Thurles 2m N H flat in Nov.
Ballymonteen Wood (IRE) 66-1 (11-4) Always towards rear, tailed off, 7th of 14, well behind Captain Canada (11-4) at Thurles 2m 6f mdn hdl hvy in Dec.
De Benno (IRE) 25-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, not fluent 4 out, soon no extra, 11th of 16, well behind Courtly Conduct (11-12) at Limerick 2m mdn hdl hvy in Dec.
Fitzcarraldo 25-1 (11-7) Soon mid-division, not fluent 1st, no impression and kept on same pace approaching straight, 7th of 16, 49l behind Courtly Conduct (11-12) at Limerick 2m mdn hdl hvy in Dec.
Mista Wabbit Man 33-1 (11-12) Never better than mid-division, no extra 4 out, 12th of 16, well behind Courtly Conduct (11-12) at Limerick 2m mdn hdl hvy in Dec.
Long Journey Home (IRE) 13-2 (9-12) Chased leaders and took keen hold, ridden and no extra from 2f out, 5th of 6, 8l behind Cheval Rouge (9-4) at Sligo 1m 2f hcp in Aug (flat).
Midnight Oil 50-1 (11-7) Always last, lost touch from 3 out, last of 6, well behind Jezki (11-7) at Fairyhouse 2m nov hdl Grade 1 (1) sft in Dec.
Rebel Again (IRE) 20-1 (11-4) Always towards rear, no impression from 6f out, completely tailed off, last of 7, well behind Pumbaa (11-6) at Limerick 2m nhf hvy in Dec.
Thundering Steel (IRE) 33-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, weakened from 4f out, tailed off, 20th of 23, well behind Grand Jesture (11-0) at Punchestown 2m 4yo nhf gs in Apr.
Benefit Biddy (IRE) 33-1 (10-6) Prominent, lost place and no extra from after 3 out, 9th of 11, well behind Milborough (11-4) at Tramore 2m 5f mdn hdl hvy.
Clara Bel La (IRE) 9-2 (11-5) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, no threat from 4 out, went distant 3rd run-in, 3rd of 11, well behind Mozoltov (11-12) at Gowran Park 2m 2f mdn hdl sft in Dec.
Lughnasa (IRE) 3-1fav (11-4) Towards rear, ridden and no impression from 3f out, 8th of 9, well behind Honey Bach (11-4) at Punchestown 2m mrs N H flat sft in Oct.
Me And Ben (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) Soon mid-division, no impression under pressure from 4 out, 10th of 14, well behind Caoimhe's Delight (11-0) at Limerick 2m 2f mdn hdl hvy in Dec.
Mini Shan (IRE) 33-1 (11-5) In rear, no danger and kept on approaching straight, 9th of 16, well behind Courtly Conduct (11-12) at Limerick 2m mdn hdl hvy in Dec.
The Muddy Hill (IRE) 25-1 (10-13) Tracked leaders, lost place 3 out, 5th before 2 out, soon no impression, kept on same pace, 7th of 11, 21l behind Chasing Shadows (10-8) at Tramore 2m mdn hdl hvy in Dec.
