prominent and disputed lead, led briefly after 9th, 4th and pushed along 2 out, soon ridden and no impression, no extra run-in
tracked leaders, 5th halfway, headway 3 out, 3rd and ridden after next, kept on one pace run-in
led or disputed lead, headed after 3 out, pushed along and mistake next, ridden and kept on well run-in to regain lead closing stages
tracked leaders, pecked 1st, 4th halfway, 5th and no impression approaching 2 out, soon no extra and eased, pulled up before last
tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, mistake 9th, 6th and pushed along after 4 out, no extra after next, behind and pulled up approaching last
always towards rear, never a factor, pushed along and no impression in rear after 4 out, jumped left 3 out, no extra, well behind and pulled up before last
held up in rear, headway in 5th 4 out, travelled well and led after 3 out, pushed along approaching last, ridden and kept on run-in, headed closing stages
NonRunner
Hard Rain never won over timber but made a very encouraging start over fences at Naas where he stayed on strongly over a trip too short. The lightly-raced Paladian Jewel showed improved form when well supported on his second start over fences at Thurles but UNION PARK has much more experience than most of these and can make it count. He's been running well in handicaps and looks to have a good chance of getting off the mark over fences. Chelseas Friend also ran well in a handicap last time and looks a threat while Trishknowsbest won twice over hurdles in the autumn and makes her chasing debut in this moderate company.
Ennemi Public (FR) 28-1 (10-2) Tracked leaders, 2nd halfway, pushed along in 3rd 3 out, ridden and weakened before 2 out, 9th of 12, dist behind Notice To Close (11-8) at Punchestown 2m 7f hcp Soft - Heavy in Dec.
Hard Rain (IRE) 11-2 (11-12) Mid-division, mistake at 1st, 7th when left 6th at last (usual 3 out), ridden in 6th bypassing 2 out, 5th bypassing last, kept on without threatening in 3rd inside final furlong, 3rd of 17, 3 1/4l behind Know The Game (11-6) at Naas 2m hcp Yielding - Soft in Dec.
Joy Of Life (IRE) 14-1 (12-0) Tracked leaders and 3rd halfway, not fluent 4 out, pushed along after next, soon ridden and weakened, 8th of 16, 23 1/2l behind Tomjackwilliam (11-3) at Limerick 2m 5f hcp hvy in Dec.
Paladian Jewel (IRE) 5-2 (11-12) Settled behind leaders, 4th halfway, closer in 3rd before 3 out, ridden 2 out, pressed leaders before last, no extra in 4th last, kept on one pace, 4th of 14, 10 1/2l behind Scalor (11-12) at Thurles 2m 2f Yielding in Nov.
Chelseas Friend (IRE) 15-2 (10-7) Tracked leaders, 5th halfway, some headway 5 out and 3rd entering straight, 2nd and slight mistake 2 out, ridden and no impression on leader before last, 3rd and kept on one pace final 100 yards, 3rd of 12, 2 1/4l behind Echoes Of Family (10-5) at Fairyhouse 2m 5f hcp Good - Yielding in Apr.
Shamror Lass (IRE) 66-1 (11-5) Towards rear for most, never a factor, 9th of 17, 26 1/2l behind Conna Cottage (11-12) at Clonmel 2m mdn sft in Dec.
Trishknowsbest (IRE) 5-1 (11-3) Held up towards rear, progress 3 out, ridden into 5th entering straight, no impression before last, kept on same pace run-in, 4th of 11, 5 1/2l behind Kashi (12-0) at Fairyhouse 2m hcp sft in Jan.
Union Park (FR) 7-1 (10-0) Towards rear, 9th halfway, progress into 5th 3 out, headway on outer to go 3rd approaching last, kept on, 3rd of 13, 11 1/2l behind Brandy Harbour (10-10) at Thurles 2m 2f hcp Yielding in Dec.
