held up, closer in 5th after 5 out, no extra from before 2 out
held up, closed into 4th from before 6 out where fell
soon mid-division, closer order after 5 out, 6th approaching straight, moderate 4th and no impression 2 out, kept on same pace
chased leaders, closer in 2nd 5 out, good jump to lead 4 out, pressed straight, still marginal lead last, kept on well run-in, headed on line
towards rear, ridden approaching 4th, moderate 5th 2 out, kept on one pace
chased leader in 2nd, closer order 6 out, 4th approaching straight, no impression 2 out, kept on same pace
chased leaders, closer in 3rd approaching straight, challenged in 2nd from 3 out, stayed on well run-in to lead on line
chased leaders, slight mistake 4th, very slow jump 7 out and ridden, lost place from after 5 out, no extra from before straight, tailed off
led, clear early, reduced lead 6 out, headed 4 out, eased after 3 out, pulled up after 2 out
Decade Player narrowly had the call over Protaras at Down Royal and there's unlikely to be much between the pair again with the winner just fancied to confirm the form. A Fine Young Man wasn't beaten far at Clonmel on Thursday but was earlier a long way behind DICK DUNDEE at Wexford and Paul Nolan's charge is running so well that a drop to the minimum trip may not prevent a hat-trick. The Amarillo Kid won a nice prize here last time and has to be a major threat despite a subsequent 7lb rise.
Fosters Cross (IRE) 9-1 (11-7) Prominent and disputed lead, slow 5th, led after 5 out until slight mistake and headed 3 out, ridden and dropped to 3rd before last, no impression run-in, 3rd of 6, 6l behind Noble Prince (11-0) at Thurles 2m 6f lst chs (1) gd.
Dick Dundee 4-1fav (11-6) Always prominent, disputed lead 5 out, led from next, went clear and ridden 2 out, stayed on well under pressure from last, won at Wexford 2m 3f hcp chs in Oct beating Toostrong (11-2) by 3 1/2l, 11 ran.
The Amarillo Kid (IRE) 12-1 (10-7) Chased leaders, closer order 5 out, soon 3rd, 4th approaching straight, 2nd and challenged from before last, won at Cork 2m gd in Oct beating Fosters Cross (11-5) by 3/4l, 10 ran.
Perfect Smile (IRE) 14-1 (11-0) Chased leader, clear of remainder, some slight mistakes, closed from before 3 out, led into straight, soon pressed and joined, headed and no extra from 2 out, kept on same pace, 5th of 12, 9l behind Clarach (10-13) at Limerick 2m hdl in Jul '12.
Barneys Honour (IRE) 3-1 (11-4) Chased clear leader and 6th halfway, closer 4 out and ridden approaching next, no impression in 4th before 2 out, no extra run-in, 5th of 9, 13l behind Decade Player (10-0) at Down Royal 2m hcp chs.
Forty Foot Tom 11-2 (11-4) Held up in touch, ridden in 8th 3 out, soon no impression, 8th of 11, 28l behind Dick Dundee (11-6) at Wexford 2m 3f hcp chs in Oct.
Protaras (USA) 10-1 (10-13) Chased clear leader in 4th, closer 4 out and went 2nd next, no impression on winner approaching 2 out, kept on under pressure to close last, no impression final 50 yards, 2nd of 9, 1 1/4l behind Decade Player (10-0) at Down Royal 2m hcp chs.
A Fine Young Man (IRE) 11-4fav (11-5) Prominent, not fluent 2nd, on terms from before 4 out, headed from before last and no extra run-in, 4th of 10, 7l behind Rubert (11-3) at Clonmel 2m 3f hcp chs.
Decade Player (IRE) 8-1 (10-0) Made all and soon clear, reduced advantage 4 out, asserted again approaching 2 out where slight mistake, pressed early run-in and kept on well under pressure closing stages, won at Down Royal 2m hcp chs beating Protaras (10-13) by 1 1/4l, 9 ran.
