rear of mid-division, 7th halfway, headway on outer approaching straight and led before 2 out, soon asserted and kept on well run-in, easily
tracked leaders, 3rd 5 out, 5th and pushed along before 2 out, soon no extra
prominent and disputed lead briefly after 3rd, 3rd halfway, pushed along and lost place after 5 out, no extra in rear approaching straight, behind and pulled up before 3 out
held up towards rear, ran freely, 8th halfway, pushed along in straight and moderate 5th after 2 out, no extra
led early, 2nd halfway and led again after 4 out, pushed along and headed approaching 2 out, ridden and no impression on winner before last, kept on one pace
held up towards rear, some headway 3 out and went 4th before 2 out, pushed along and no impression before last, ridden and kept on one pace run-in
prominent, led or disputed lead after 3rd, headed after 4 out and pushed along next, 3rd and no impression approaching last, ridden and kept on one pace run-in
mid-division, 4th halfway, lost place approaching straight, pushed along and no extra in rear 2 out
mid-division, 6th halfway, ridden after 3 out and no impression when pecked next, no extra
NonRunner
RODANICHE won two of his first four outings over timber and was returning from a long break when falling at the fourth in a lucrative Leopardstown handicap over Christmas won by his very progressive stablemate Maxxum. He looks capable of better while Takarengo ran very well for fifth in that latter event. Course winner All Those Years will appreciate stepping up in trip after staying on over 2m1f in a strong Bellewstown handicap while Lucky Max returned from a spell over fences with a cracking effort at Naas and was taking on very much better class when fifth in a Grade A handicap at Fairyhouse. Rebel Early won this last year on very testing ground so would need more rain.
Lucky Max (GER) 14-1 (11-1) Tracked clear leader, moderate 4th at 4th, moderate 5th before 4 out, lost place after 3 out, headway to 5th after 2 out, no impression before last where not fluent, one paced run-in, 5th of 17, 13 1/4l behind Merlin Giant (10-13) at Fairyhouse 2m hcp sft in Dec.
Rodaniche (IRE) 50-1 (10-11) Mid-division, fell 4th, at Leopardstown 3m hcp sft in Dec.
Whirling Dervish 150-1 (10-11) Towards rear, pushed along after 4th, ridden in last after 7th, well behind 4 out, blundered 2 out, pulled up before last, at Aintree 3m 1f hcp (1) gs in Apr.
All Those Years 16-1 (11-2) In rear on outer, headway into 8th 3 out, pushed along in 8th next, ridden and jumped left at last, kept on one pace, 6th of 16, 9l behind Anna Bunina (11-12) at Bellewstown 2m 1f hcp gd in Jul.
Rebel Early (IRE) 40-1 (11-9) Rear of mid division, 12th halfway, pushed along and no impression from over 3 out, 10th of 14, 34 1/4l behind Missiee (10-6) at Limerick 2m 4f hcp Soft - Heavy in Dec.
Jiving Jerry (IRE) 33-1 (10-2) Tracked leaders, 6th halfway, ridden and no extra before 2 out, 13th of 27, dist behind Maxxum (10-5) at Leopardstown 3m hcp sft in Dec.
Takarengo (IRE) 14-1 (10-1) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, ridden in 8th before 2 out, no impression and kept on one pace, 7th of 27, 32l behind Maxxum (10-5) at Leopardstown 3m hcp sft in Dec.
Sullane Hill (IRE) 50-1 (12-2) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, pushed along and lost place after 7th, no extra after 4 out and soon detached, weakened, tailed off, 11th of 17, dist behind Metersandmasks (11-4) at Cork 2m 4f hcp Good - Yielding in May.
Bal De Rio (FR) 28-1 (10-12) Led, headed approaching straight, soon ridden and weakened, 8th of 13, 16 1/2l behind New Ross (10-0) at Thurles 2m hcp Yielding in Dec.
Lord Gillygooley (IRE) 11-1 (9-12) Soon led, slight mistake 2nd where bumped and headed, soon back on terms, headed before 5 out, badly hampered next, soon weakened, pulled up before last, at Punchestown 3m hcp Good - Yielding in Nov.