tracked leaders in 5th, ridden 4 out, soon weakened, moderate 5th and fell 2 out
tracked leader in 2nd, improved to dispute lead 5 out, led entering straight, went clear travelling well 2 out, stayed on strongly run-in, easily
held up in 6th, closer in 5th 5 out, moderate 4th and niggled along 3 out, hands and heels thereafter, never a factor
tracked leaders in 4th, 3rd 5 out, ridden and went 2nd 3 out, no impression on winner next, kept on same pace
always behind, niggled along in moderate 6th 3 out, hands and heels thereafter and not fluent 2 out, never involved
tracked leaders in 3rd, ridden in 4th 4 out, soon weakened
always towards rear, reminders 2nd and weakened next, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
led, joined 5 out, headed and ridden entering straight, 3rd 3 out, kept on one paced from next
None of this bunch inspire confidence. Tavern Times burst a blood vessel when pulled up at Leopardstown just two days ago on his first start since 2015. Cillian's Return has less excuse for his recent poor form while Polish Partisan has failed to build on a fourth at Galway in October. Summer Storm won twice over hurdles last year but was tailed off over fences last week so HOLEINTHEWALL BAR gets a token vote to finally open his account over fences having been placed over a longer trip at Ayr last time.
Tavern Times (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) Soon towards rear, 10th at 4th, slightly impeded and jumped left 6th, not always fluent jumping after, behind approaching 4 out, soon pulled up, at Leopardstown 2m 5f hcp gd in Jan.
Holeinthewall Bar (IRE) 6-4fav (11-0) Towards rear, headway before 7 out to chase leaders, in 3rd from before 2 out, kept on, 3rd of 7, 6 1/2l behind Master Ruffit (11-6) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp (4) hvy in Jan.
Cillian's Return (IRE) 33-1 (11-12) Held up, 11th early, slight mistake 3 out, moderate 10th approaching straight, one pace, 9th of 15, 23 1/4l behind Powersbomb (11-12) at Clonmel 2m Yielding - Soft in Dec.
James (IRE) 12-1 (11-5) In rear, not fluent 4th, headway from 5 out, went 5th 3 out, ridden and no impression from next, 6th of 17, dist behind Tulpar (10-10) at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp Soft - Heavy in Jan.
Summer Storm 8-1 (11-12) Held up in touch, 7th from 5th, still moderate 7th before straight, no impression, slightly impeded at last, no extra, 6th of 12, dist behind Clontarf (11-12) at Fairyhouse 2m 5f sft in Jan.
Cinder Rua (IRE) 33-1 (11-6) In rear, weakened from 4 out, pulled up before last, at Ayr 3m hcp (4) sft in Jan.
Polish Partisan (IRE) 33-1 (9-9) Slowly into stride and in rear, no impression from 3f out, never a factor, 8th of 13, 7 1/4l behind Train Time (9-1) at Dundalk 1m 4f mdn pol in Jan.
Merrion Row (IRE) 14-1 (12-1) Rr, 10th 1/2way, gd prog to 4th 5out, mstk in poor 5th 3out, eased & pu last, at Borris House 3m gs in Dec.
