Verdict

A tough finale but MOUNT MASADA looked one to follow when gaining a convincing victory on heavy ground at Fairyhouse and an 8lb rise doesn't look enough to prevent a follow-up. De Glebe Star was beaten eight lengths into second and the form should be upheld but Ice Cool ran easily his best race to date when runner-up at Thurles, where Varene De Vauzelle was behind, and a similar effort can see him in the frame. Massinis Adventure had been running poorly before scoring over three miles on soft ground at Limerick after which he's been handed an 8lb rise.

Formwatch

Fiddlers Bow (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) Towards rear, some headway after 3rd, 10th approaching straight, no impression from before 2 out where slight mistake, kept on same pace, 6th of 19, 12l behind All About Alfie (11-3) at Cork 2m hcp hvy in Nov.

Fightforyourdreams (IRE) 33-1 (11-12) Rear of mid-division, 8th 4 out, ridden in moderate 6th entering straight, kept on without threatening to go moderate 4th run-in, 4th of 11, 15 3/4l behind Hunters Call (11-12) at Naas 2m mdn Yielding - Soft in Nov.

Silent Wish (IRE) 16-1 (10-13) Soon chased leaders, 8th approaching straight, impeded 2 out, one pace, 4th of 16, 17 1/2l behind Myska (11-7) at Thurles 2m 6f mdn sft in Nov.

Anna Holty (IRE) 25-1 (10-13) Held up, no impression 4 out, soon no extra and pulled up, at Cork 2m hcp hvy in Nov.

Mill Quest (IRE) 14-1 (11-12) Mid-division, ridden from 3 out, moderate 8th 2 out, no impression, 6th of 16, 18 1/2l behind Mount Masada (11-1) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f hcp hvy in Nov.

Cisro (IRE) 50-1 (11-12) Towards rear, 19th from 2nd, pushed along from 5th, behind next, 19th of 22, dist behind Arctic Skipper (11-12) at Naas 2m mdn sft in Feb.

Mount Masada (IRE) 7-1 (11-1) Mid-division, 10th 4 out, headway from next, ridden to lead after 2 out, clear at last, stayed on strongly run-in, comfortably, won at Fairyhouse 2m 4f hcp hvy in Nov beating De Glebe Star (11-5) by 8l, 16 ran.

Fleurys Fort (IRE) 16-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, not fluent 3 out, soon pushed along, on terms 2 out, soon headed and no impression approaching last, 5th of 15, 9 1/2l behind Micras (11-0) at Thurles 2m hcp sft in Nov.

De Glebe Star (IRE) 50-1 (11-5) Disputed lead, led from 4 out, ridden 3 out, headed entering straight, dropped to 5th 2 out, 5th at last, kept on without threatening winner to regain 2nd near line, 2nd of 16, 8l behind Mount Masada (11-1) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f hcp hvy in Nov.

Massinis Adventure (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) Mid-division, progress into 5th entering straight, led before 2 out, ridden to assert after 2 out, kept on well from before last, won at Limerick 3m hcp sft in Nov beating Sacre Malta (11-12) by 4 1/2l, 14 ran.

Mick The Jiver 100-1 (11-12) Rear of mid-division, never a factor, no impression entering straight, remote 9th at last, kept on one pace, 9th of 20, dist behind Stone Hard (11-12) at Gowran Park 2m mdn sft in Nov.

Ice Cool 12-1 (10-13) Tracked leaders, progress to lead after 5th, pushed along after 2 out, strongly pressed last and headed run-in, no impression on winner close home, 2nd of 13, 2l behind Candle Island (10-13) at Thurles 2m 6f hcp sft in Nov.

Ted Bach (IRE) 125-1 (11-2) Always rear, pushed along and no impression in 5th approaching straight, left moderate 3rd 2 out, no extra, 3rd of 5, 31 1/2l behind American Tom (11-2) at Gowran Park 2m sft in Nov.

The Bach Road (IRE) 14-1 (11-2) Held up in rear, fell 8th, at Thurles 2m 6f hcp sft in Nov.

Edvardo (IRE) 33-1 (11-4) Held up, closer order when ran slightly off bend after 4th, pushed along from next, jumped right and no impression 4 out, soon no extra, 13th of 15, dist behind Micras (11-0) at Thurles 2m hcp sft in Nov.

Final Boru (IRE) 66-1 (10-13) Towards rear for most, ridden and no impression 4 out, never a factor, 11th of 18, dist behind Dragon Fei (11-7) at Tipperary 2m mdn Good - Yielding in Oct.

Cadawill (IRE) 6-1 (11-1) Towards rear, 11th halfway, ridden before 4 out, some progress on outer entering straight, 6th and not fluent 2 out, soon no impression, no extra run-in, 7th of 13, 26l behind Candle Island (10-13) at Thurles 2m 6f hcp sft in Nov.

Kicker King (IRE) 125-1 (11-7) Held up, 11th after 3rd, never a factor, 10th of 14, dist behind Eyes Of A Tiger (11-7) at Clonmel 2m mdn gd in Oct.

Varene De Vauzelle (FR) 7-1 (10-13) Mid-division, 9th halfway, progress entering straight, went 3rd and slight mistake 2 out, soon ridden and no extra, kept on one pace run-in, 3rd of 13, 15l behind Candle Island (10-13) at Thurles 2m 6f hcp sft in Nov.

Why Ask Me (IRE) 33-1 (10-13) Held up towards rear, ridden in 10th and no impression after 2 out, kept on from last, 4th close home, 4th of 14, 14 3/4l behind The Informer (10-13) at Ballinrobe 3m hcp Yielding - Soft in Aug.

Mista Wabbit Man 14-1 (10-13) Rear of mid-division, some progress 4 out, under pressure in 8th when fell 2 out, at Fairyhouse 2m 4f hcp hvy in Nov.