held up, towards rear halfway, progress into 6th 4 out, ridden and no extra before straight, weakened and pulled up before 3 out
held up towards rear, slight mistake 4 out, ridden in 8th before 3 out, stayed on into 3rd before 2 out, 2nd before last, challenged run-in, disputed last strides and just prevailed at line
soon led, slight mistake 1st, ridden and headed after 5th, soon weakened, pulled up before 5 out
held up early, settled behind leaders from 3rd, 5th halfway, improved to dispute 3 out, narrow lead 2 out, soon ridden, strongly pressed run-in, joined last strides and just denied at line
disputed briefly, soon chased leader, 4th when mistake and unseated rider at 5th
chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden and no extra 3 out, weakened
chased leaders, improved to lead after 5th, pressed from 5 out, joined before 3 out, ridden and headed 3 out, soon no extra and weakened
held up towards rear, closer in 6th 5 out, ridden 3 out, under pressure in 5th before 2 out, 4th and jumped right 2 out, kept on one pace
chased leaders, closer in 2nd halfway, challenged 5 out, disputed before 3 out, ridden and headed after 3 out, soon no extra and weakened
settled behind leaders, hampered 5th and soon hampered again, dropped towards rear, closer on outer 3 out, ridden in 3rd after 3 out, no extra in 5th when hampered 2 out, kept on one pace
mid-division, 6th halfway, progress to challenge 3 out, soon disputed, ridden in 2nd approaching 2 out, no extra in 3rd before last, kept on one pace
A much stronger novices' race than usual with hardly anything ruled out. Fakir got his act together over the minimum at Limerick where he looked certain to be suited by this longer trip. Carrigmoorna Pine won easily at Clonmel then fell 2 out when challenging at Cork while Opposites Attract looked very progressive over the course and distance last month and gets the nod. Momus has run some fine races though has failed to win over hurdles but another bumper winner, Gun Merchant, ran his best race so far at Thurles last time. MILLEN TO ONE is 10lb better off for a 10 length beating by Carrigmoorna Pine and has since just failed to land a Leopardstown handicap so he gets the nod.
Carrigmoorna Pine (IRE) 4-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders, headway between horses after 3 out and challenging when fell next, at Cork 2m sft in Jan.
Opposites Attract (IRE) 15-8fav (11-4) Settled behind leaders, 5th halfway, ridden in 3rd after 3 out, stayed on to challenge approaching 2 out, led after 2 out, kept on well from last, won at Down Royal 2m 4f mdn sft in Dec beating Outside The Ring (11-4) by 8l, 18 ran.
Without Limites (FR) 8-1 (10-3) Rear of mid-division, ridden and no impression before 3 out, no extra and pulled up before next, at Limerick 2m 4f hcp hvy in Dec.
Momus (IRE) 7-1 (10-6) Mid-division, some headway into 4th before 7th, ridden after 3 out, no impression when not fluent last, no extra, 5th of 10, 15 1/4l behind Morosini (10-11) at Cork 2m 4f hcp sft in Jan.
Fakir (FR) 5-2fav (11-7) Prominent, 3rd at 5th, progress after 6th, pushed along in 2nd 2 out, ridden to lead narrowly before last, kept on well run-in, driven out, won at Limerick 2m Soft - Heavy in Dec beating Bal De Rio (11-5) by 1l, 8 ran.
Our Friend (IRE) 10-1 (11-4) Soon chased leaders, moderate 5th from 3rd, pushed along from 3 out, kept on same pace without threatening from before next, 3rd of 9, 23l behind Party Playboy (10-12) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f sft in Nov.
Trevena 11-1 (11-0) Mid-division early, 10th from 3rd, headway from before 2 out, chased leaders from before straight, soon no impression, kept on same pace without threatening, 4th of 17, 7l behind The Bosses Oscar (11-7) at Leopardstown 2m 4f mdn sft in Dec.
Father Ailbe (IRE) 16-1 (11-5) Soon tracked leaders, 6th before halfway, effort from before 2 out, no extra and one pace straight, 12th of 25, 24 1/4l behind Fauguernon (11-0) at Leopardstown 2m hcp sft in Dec.
Arahecan (IRE) 3-1 (11-10) Soon led, 2 lengths clear at 6th, reduced advantage entering straight, under pressure and headed before 2 out, weakened after 2 out, bad mistake at last, 7th of 8, 17 1/4l behind Fakir (11-7) at Limerick 2m Soft - Heavy in Dec.
Millen To One (IRE) 12-1 (10-7) Mid-division, ran freely early, 6th halfway, 4th 2 out and headway in straight to lead last, soon ridden and headed inside final 100 yards, no impression on winner, 2nd of 11, 1/2l behind Peaches And Cream (10-12) at Leopardstown 2m 4f hcp Yielding in Dec.
Stormy Judge (IRE) 11-1 (10-13) Held up towards rear, slight mistake 1st, 11th halfway, mistake 7th, 6th after 4 out, progress to dispute after 3 out, mistake and headed 2 out, ridden in 2nd before last, kept on, 2nd of 13, 3 1/2l behind Life Isfor Living (11-0) at Limerick 3m hcp hvy in Dec.
Gun Merchant 11-2 (11-0) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, closer approaching 3 out and disputed lead briefly entering straight, ridden after 2 out and dropped to 3rd before last, no impression run-in, kept on one pace, 3rd of 8, 4 1/4l behind Royal Thief (11-10) at Thurles 2m 7f Yielding in Jan.
