prominent, 2nd halfway, weakened 5 out, pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, ridden in 9th entering straight, kept on one pace
chased leaders, 6th halfway, 4th 5 out, improved to dispute before 2 out where led, ridden and kept on well from before last
towards rear, no impression in moderate 10th passing 3 out, pulled up before next
led, jumped left, headed approaching 3rd, weakened to rear 6th, unseated rider 7th
chased leaders, 3rd halfway, 2nd 6 out, improved to dispute before 2 out, ridden in 2nd and no extra when fell last
prominent early, led approaching 3rd, ridden and headed before 2 out, no extra in 3rd before last, left 2nd, kept on same pace
rear of mid-division for most, never a factor
mid-division, headway into 6th 5 out, ridden in 5th entering straight, kept on one pace from before 2 out
chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden in 5th passing 3 out, kept on one pace in 4th before 2 out, left 3rd last, 4th again run-in
soon rear of mid-division, 12th when fell 5 out
mid-division, headway into 8th 5 out, 6th next, ridden in 8th entering straight, no impression and kept on one pace
mid-division, headway in 7th 4 out, ridden in 6th entering straight, no extra and kept on one pace
always towards rear, pulled up after 4 out
chased leaders, 5th halfway, ridden in 8th 4 out, no extra and weakened
rear of mid-division, ridden into 7th entering straight, moderate 6th 2 out, stayed on in 5th last, left 4th, kept on same pace run-in
Winning point-to-pointer Cayo Levantado should be more at home over fences than hurdles, though he did manage a victory over the smaller obstacles at Navan in November. El Fontan, a winner on the Flat in France, was odds-on for both starts over timber in 2008 and duly obliged though he hasn't been seen since a poor run in the November Handicap that year. Hughies Grey has been making too many mistakes but Leggy Lad showed plenty of ability last season and could go well if fit enough after a break. Moville was returning from a long absence and making his chasing debut behind Just Friends at Thurles and is one to keep an eye on, while Long Strand has more experience than most and has performed with credit in a couple of handicaps recently. GATES OF ROME was a big disappointment when fancied at Leopardstown last time and potential punters will need to forgive that run but his second to subsequent dual Grade 1 winner Realt Dubh at Punchestown in November is the stand-out form here.
Amber Bob (IRE) 50-1 (11-12) Towards rear for most, never a factor, 8th of 15, 44l behind Sam Adams (11-12) at Fairyhouse 2m 1f beg chase hvy in Jan.
Bobs Way (IRE) 100-1 (11-5) Tracked leader, 2nd halfway, under pressure and dropped to 6th after 4 out, no extra in straight, 9th of 11, well behind Lastoftheleaders (11-12) at Navan 2m 1f beg chs in Nov.
Cayo Levantado (IRE) 11-2 (9-10) Held up towards rear, 14th 4 out, some progress after next, no impression when eased approaching last, 12th of 24, 18l behind The Shepherd (10-9) at Leopardstown 3m hcp hdl 0-140 hvy in Dec.
Dundrum (IRE) 14-1 (11-12) Mid-division, 7th halfway, pushed along entering straight, no extra and kept on one pace, 6th of 10, 11l behind Rahan De Marcigny (11-12) at Leopardstown 2m 1f beg chase sft in Jan.
El Fontan (FR) 4-7fav (11-4) Mid-division, progress on inner 4 out, mistake next, soon driven along, 3rd and challenged on outer approaching 2 out, led last, kept on well, comfortably, won at Listowel 2m 3yo hdl hvy in Sep '08 beating Hampstead Heath (11-4) by 2l, 18 ran.
Flaming James (IRE) 28-1 (10-9) Chased leaders in 5th, ridden and weakened from halfway, trailing when pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Whats Up Gorden (11-5) at Kilbeggan 2m 3f hcp hdl 80-102 fm in Sep, 13 ran.
Gates Of Rome (IRE) 9-4fav (11-12) Tracked leader, 3rd when mistake at 5th, 6th 2 out, driven along entering straight , soon no extra, 7th of 10, 18l behind Rahan De Marcigny (11-12) at Leopardstown 2m 1f beg chase sft in Jan.
Hughies Grey (IRE) 14-1 (11-12) Prominent, 2nd halfway, mistake 6 out, still prominent when fell next, in a race won by Ad Idem (11-12) at Navan 2m 6f beg chase hvy in Jan, 18 ran.
Kyle's Turn (IRE) 6-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders in 4th, fell 3rd, in a race won by Askmeroe (11-12) at Fairyhouse 2m 1f beg chase hvy in Apr, 10 ran.
Leggy Lad (IRE) 4-1 (10-12) Held up in touch, went prominent 7th, chased winner 9th until ridden after 3 out, beaten when jumped right next, went right last, stayed on same pace flat, 3rd of 6, 8l behind Cool Mission (11-11) at Perth 3m hdl (4) gf in May.
Long Strand (IRE) 4-1 (11-9) Tracked leaders, 4th 4 out, ridden in 3rd after 3 out, went 2nd 2 out, kept on same pace, 2nd of 10, 11l behind Drive On Jim (10-4) at Limerick 2m 3f hcp chs 0-109 in Dec.
Michelle's Express (IRE) 25-1 (11-12) Always towards rear, 8th of 15, 37l behind Just Friends (11-12) at Thurles 2m beg chase in Jan.
Moville (IRE) 10-1 (11-12) Towards rear, no impression from 4 out, moderate 5th next, left moderate 4th at last, 4th of 15, 13l behind Just Friends (11-12) at Thurles 2m beg chase in Jan.
Qoubilai (FR) 10-1 (11-4) Mid-division, 8th halfway, ridden in 6th 3 out, soon no extra and kept on one pace, 8th of 18, 16l behind Another Palm (10-11) at Down Royal 2m 4f mdn hdl hvy in Dec.
Silver Reef (IRE) 14-1 (11-12) Mid-division, moderate 7th 4 out, no extra in straight, tailed off, 8th of 14, well behind Byerley Bear (11-12) at Cork 2m mdn hdl sft in Jan.
Space Academy (IRE) 50-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, 6th halfway, 4th 4 out, ridden in 6th and no extra entering straight, 5th 2 out, kept on one pace, 4th of 15, 22l behind Sam Adams (11-12) at Fairyhouse 2m 1f beg chase hvy in Jan.
Posh Bird (IRE) 7-1 (10-9) Tracked leading pair, still well there 14th, ridden before next, weakened 3 out, lost modest 3rd last, 4th of 5, 26l behind On His Own (11-2) at Musselburgh 3m beg chase (4) gs in Jan.
Dont Tell De Purty 100-1 (11-6) Mid-division, pushed along in 10th halfway, no extra before 4 out, weakened and tailed off, 8th of 16, well behind Bayross (11-12) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f Maiden Hurdle (4-6yo) hvy in Jan.
Spice Hill (IRE) 12-1 (10-11) Chased leader in close 2nd, ridden and no extra approaching 3 out, 7th of 15, 38l behind Karkari (11-4) at Downpatrick 2m 2f 4yo mdn hdl gd in Oct.
Noble Way (IRE) 33-1 (11-7) Towards rear, no impression from 4 out, kept on one pace straight, 8th of 16, 25l behind Montan (11-12) at Fairyhouse 2m 5f beg chase sft in Jan.
Souvenir Royal (FR) 33-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, disputed 6th, led 8th, mistake 4 out, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, no extra in 3rd before last, kept on same pace, 4th of 16, 7l behind Montan (11-12) at Fairyhouse 2m 5f beg chase sft in Jan.
