mid-division, slight mistake 2nd, dropped to 10th and ridden 3 out, no impression, left 3 places closer from 2 out
in rear, mistake and unseated rider 7th
mid-division, closer in 5th when bad mistake 3 out, soon ridden, 8th when left moderate 6th 2 out, no impression when mistake and unseated rider at last
tracked leaders, not fluent 6th, lost position and dropped to 11th and pushed along after 4 out, headway on inner 3 out, improved to dispute lead when bad mistake next, headed, under pressure in 3rd at last, soon 2nd, stayed on strongly to lead near line
held up in rear, slight mistake 6th , progress into 6th 3 out, closing in 5th when short of room and fell 2 out
tracked leaders, not fluent 1st, 2nd at 7th, ridden from 3 out, dropped to 7th and left 5th next, no impression
tracked leaders, progress on outer after 3 out, ridden in 3rd 2 out, 2nd at last, no extra in 3rd inside final furlong
mid-division, 7th 3 out, ridden in 6th when left 4th 2 out, kept on one paced
rear of mid-division, ridden in 11th 3 out, soon no impression, left 3 places closer from 2 out, never a factor
tracked leaders, 4th 3 out, soon ridden, disputed lead 2 out, soon led, strongly pressed after last, headed and no extra near line
mid-division, 8th when fell 3 out
ran loose before start, led at fast pace and clear, reduced advantage 3 out, ridden and headed approaching next, no extra in 4th when fell 2 out
Pires is a light of former days and his best recent form has been over hurdles. Kick On Boss improved with experience over fences though was beaten a long way when runner-up at Naas and that was in March. Silk Hall was beaten 10 lengths into second at Carlisle but Sister Annie had been running well over fences before reverting to hurdles and finishing runner-up at Wexford. STRONGPOINT went up 14lb for landing a handicap at Naas in February but has continued to run well and looks the one to be on despite a big weight. Pairofbrowneyes could provide the main threat as he started off in novice chases two years ago then won twice over hurdles. He comes here on a lowly mark with improvement expected this campaign.
Strongpoint (IRE) 11-4fav (11-12) Led, tended to jump right, hit 9th, driven and headed last, soon ridden, kept on and every chance until no extra final 75 yards, 3rd of 7, 2l behind Vesperal Dream (11-8) at Perth 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Jun.
Pires 8-1 (11-9) Held up towards rear, no impression from 3 out, never a factor, 7th of 8, dist behind Ballyfinboy (10-2) at Sligo 2m 2f hcp Yielding in Sep.
Back To Balloo (IRE) 25-1 (11-12) Held up, 10th from 3rd, not much room after 3 out, soon pushed along, kept on same pace from 2 out, 8th of 14, 9 1/4l behind Wild Fern (11-3) at Gowran Park 2m hcp gd in Oct.
The King Of Brega (IRE) 16-1 (11-10) Chased leader and disputed, reminders in 2nd 4 out, ridden in 3rd entering straight, weakened before 2 out, 5th of 6, 37 1/4l behind Abolitionist (11-6) at Limerick 3m gd in Jul.
Kick On Boss (IRE) 2-1fav (11-12) Led, headed before 3rd and chased leader, disputed 4 out, led next, headed and mistake last, ridden and no extra run-in, kept on one pace, 2nd of 4, 15l behind Rossvoss (11-12) at Naas 2m sft in Mar.
Silk Hall (UAE) 9-1 (11-2) Chased winner throughout, ridden and no impression from 2 out, 2nd of 7, 10l behind The Grey Taylor (11-2) at Carlisle 2m (4) gd in Oct.
Pairofbrowneyes (IRE) 7-1 (9-12) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, ridden entering straight, no impression in 6th 2 out, kept on one pace, hampered last, 8th of 17, 17 1/4l behind Some Article (9-10) at Fairyhouse 2m hcp sft in Apr.
Mitebeall Forluck 8-1 (10-7) Held up towards rear, progress into 6th before straight, closer 3 out, ridden in 5th 2 out, no impression before last, kept on one pace, 5th of 13, 10l behind Gentleman Duke (11-0) at Cork 2m 1f hcp gd in Oct.
Drumhart (IRE) 10-3fav (11-12) Tracked leaders in 4th, mistake and almost unseated rider 5 out, rider lost irons and pulled up before next, at Downpatrick 2m 2f gd in Oct.
Churchfield Champ (IRE) 7-1 (10-11) Settled mid-division, 5th halfway, ridden 3 out, no impression in 6th 2 out, kept on one pace, 5th of 9, 11 3/4l behind Colms Dream (10-7) at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp gd in Oct.
Sister Annie (IRE) 4-1fav (10-12) Towards rear early, soon mid-division, 7th halfway, ridden and progress on inner into 2nd entering straight, challenged 2 out, close up and every chance last, kept on same pace run-in and no extra closing stages, 2nd of 14, 1 3/4l behind Grey Mountain Mist (10-11) at Wexford 2m 4f hcp gd in Oct.
The Shepherd King (IRE) 33-1 (11-9) In rear, 9th before 4 out, soon ridden, no impression, pulled up before 2 out, at Kilbeggan 3m 1f hcp gd in May.
