led and disputed, slight mistake 8th, mistake 5 out, ridden and headed before 2 out, no extra in 4th and mistake 2 out, weakened before last
chased leaders, close up and disputed after 5th, ridden to lead before 2 out, kept on well under pressure from before last
held up towards rear, ridden in 8th after 3 out, stayed on into 5th before 2 out, moderate 4th and no extra when mistake last
prominent and disputed early, chased leaders from 2nd, 5th halfway, 4th and slight mistake 3 out, progress into moderate 3rd and no impression on leaders before 2 out, ridden and no extra before last
chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden and no extra after 3 out, weakened and pulled up before 2 out
always towards rear, slight mistake 3rd, trailing from 5 out, pulled up after 3 out
mid-division, closer in 4th 5 out, slight mistake next, ridden and no extra entering straight, weakened and pulled up before 2 out
always towards rear, ridden and no impression 4 out, no extra entering straight, weakened and pulled up before 2 out
prominent and soon disputed, headed after 5th, 3rd halfway, slight mistake 3 out and soon ridden, stayed on into 2nd before 2 out, kept on same pace from before last
prominent when mistake 1st, slow and reminders 2nd, soon mid-division, pushed along intermittently, reminders 7th, ridden in 6th and no impression after 3 out, no extra before next
Freeway Space, a winning point-to-pointer, landed a beginners' chase at Clonmel last February in spectacular style though that was on heavy ground. Cresus De Grissay ran his best race to date when tackling 2m4f at Wexford and he hasn't done quite as well over this trip subsequently but the veteran CARLITOS BAY (NAP) has no problems staying having finished runner-up over the course and distance in November. The latter gets the nod as winning point-to-pointer School Lane needs to show more than he's done so far under Rules and Winter Magic would be better suited by more give in the ground. Sir Ector has only had three runs over fences in a long career.
Freeway Space (IRE) 3-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, mistake 4th, 3rd halfway, improved to challenge last, soon led, ridden to assert 2f out, clear over 1f out, kept on strongly closing stages, won at Clonmel 2m 4f hvy in Feb beating Veneziano Springs (11-12) by 21l, 10 ran.
Cresus De Grissay (FR) 6-1 (11-3) Tracked leaders, ridden in 4th after 3 out, 4th at last, kept on without threatening leaders to go 3rd inside final furlong, 3rd of 11, 9l behind Kilkishen (11-7) at Fairyhouse 3m 1f hcp gd in Jan.
Amaulino (FR) 200-1 (11-3) Always towards rear, trailing from 4 out, never a factor, last of 7, 33 1/2l behind Tout Est Permis (11-3) at Thurles 2m 5f (1) gd in Jan.
Tongie (IRE) 14-1 (10-11) Tracked leader, led 5th, joined before 8th, headed early straight and no impression in 5th before 2 out, no extra approaching last, 6th of 11, 22 1/2l behind Concordin (11-4) at Cork 2m 4f hcp sft in Jan.
Winter Magic (IRE) 9-1 (11-1) Towards rear, pushed along and no impression before 4 out, some headway early straight and ridden in 6th approaching last, kept on one pace run-in, never a factor, 4th of 11, 21l behind Seskin Flyer (9-10) at Thurles 2m 2f hcp gd in Dec.
Pi Ahio (FR) 40-1 (11-3) Rear of mid-division on outer, mistake 8th, ridden 10th, weakened, pulled up after 3 out, at Fairyhouse 3m 1f hcp gd in Jan.
Carlitos Bay (IRE) 10-1 (11-12) Soon led, disputed at times, pressed straight, headed before last, one pace after and just held on for 2nd, 2nd of 12, 7l behind Young Paddymc (11-12) at Punchestown 2m 6f gd in Jan.
Nicole's Milan (IRE) 9-1 (11-12) Towards rear, fell 1st, at Fairyhouse 3m 1f hcp Yielding in Jan.
School Lane (IRE) 5-1 (10-6) Mid-division, 6th 4 out, soon ridden, no impression in 5th 2 out, kept on one pace, 4th of 11, 10l behind Kilkishen (11-7) at Fairyhouse 3m 1f hcp gd in Jan.
Sir Ector (USA) 20-1 (11-12) Prominent early, soon chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden and no extra before 3 out, 7th of 12, 22 1/2l behind Getaway Kid (11-12) at Down Royal 2m 4f Yielding in Dec.
