Long Journey Home won a claimer here on his only start last year and scored over hurdles that summer. He has a long absence to overcome but Dancing Doll, who made a successful debut on the track last November, only just failed to catch Ligeti on her first subsequent start on the surface in September. Tropic Thunder didn't win in 15 starts before changing stables then completed a track and trip double. He's been hit hard in the ratings but had a bit in hand last time so looks certain to go well again. SLEEPY HEAD has won three of her last four and looked to have a bit in hand last time. She's only been raised 2lb and, with Pat Smullen again in the saddle, looks the one to be on.
Lusis Naturea 33-1 (9-0) Rear of mid-division on outer, ridden and no impression in rear 1 1/2f out, kept on one pace, never a factor, 9th of 10, 7 3/4l behind Cascavelle (8-12) at Dundalk 1m hcp pol in Nov.
Trendsetter (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, headway after 3 out, one pace and no impressio, 4th of 7, 22 1/2l behind Octagon (10-12) at Southwell 2m (5) gd in Nov.
Dancing Doll (IRE) 5-2fav (9-11) Fly leapt from stalls, mid-division on outer, ridden under 2f out and 6th 1f out, kept on well inside final furlong, just failed, 2nd of 14, hd behind Ligeti (9-12) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp pol in Sep.
Edification 50-1 (11-9) Towards rear, slightly impeded 4th, soon no danger, tailed off, 14th of 18, dist behind Game Of War (11-4) at Clonmel 2m mdn Soft - Heavy in Dec.
Long Journey Home (IRE) 7-2 (10-13) Towards rear, progress 4 out, chased leaders when fell 3 out, at Cork 2m hcp gd in Aug.
Vastonea (IRE) 33-1 (8-11) Mid-division, pushed along 2f out and 7th 1f out, kept on well inside final furlong, 4th of 14, 2l behind Invincible Ryker (8-13) at Dundalk 7f hcp pol in Nov.
Sharjah (IRE) 33-1 (8-4) Tracked leaders on inner, 4th halfway, lost place approaching straight, ridden and no impression under 2f out, kept on one pace, 9th of 12, 8 1/4l behind Elishpour (8-11) at Dundalk 2m hcp pol in Dec.
Specific Gravity (FR) 25-1 (8-6) Rear of mid-division, 7th halfway, ridden 1 1/2f out, no impression, 8th of 11, 8 1/2l behind Clear Skies (9-6) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp pol in Dec.
Bay of St Malo (IRE) 50-1 (9-13) Mid-division, pushed along on inner approaching straight, ridden over 2f out and no impression over 1f out, kept on one pace, 10th of 14, 4 3/4l behind Captain Cullen (10-1) at Dundalk 1m hcp pol in Dec.
Tropic Thunder (GER) 15-8fav (9-10) Towards rear, 10th 4f out, headway over 2f out, closed 1 1/2f out, soon ridden in 2nd, progress to lead final 150 yards, driven out, won at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp pol in Dec beating Asian Wing (9-5) by 1 3/4l, 13 ran.
Try Again (IRE) 14-1 (9-12) Chased clear leader, 4th halfway, ridden under 2f out and some headway in 3rd 1f out, kept on one pace inside final furlong, 4th of 14, 1 1/4l behind Captain Cullen (10-1) at Dundalk 1m hcp pol in Dec.
Il Piccolo Grande (IRE) 4-1 (9-11) In rear, last entering straight, ridden on inner under 2f out, went 9th 1f out, no impression final furlong, 8th of 13, 3 1/2l behind Reckless Lad (9-0) at Dundalk 1m pol in Nov.
Sleepy Head (IRE) 5-2 (9-12) Mid-division, progress 2f out, ridden to challenge 1 1/2f out, led 1f out, kept on well under pressure final furlong, won at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp pol in Nov beating Weightfordave (8-12) by 1 1/4l, 12 ran.
Raven Banner (IRE) 33-1 (8-7) Held up, soon towards rear, pushed along before straight, weakened over 2f out, tailed off, 15th of 16, dist behind Inscribe (8-13) at Naas 1m 2f hcp sft in Nov.
Dandy Dude (IRE) 33-1 (9-10) Always towards rear, no impression from 3f out, never a factor, 14th of 18, 18 1/4l behind Storm Ranger (9-13) at Curragh 1m 2f hcp Yielding - Soft in Aug.
Polymnia 5-1 (9-12) Tracked leaders early, settled back in mid-division, pushed along and switched right in 8th over 1f out, ridden and kept on inside final furlong, 4th of 14, 3l behind Rosenborg Rider (9-6) at Dundalk 7f hcp pol in Dec.
Cresendo (IRE) 8-1 (9-0) Mid-division, ridden in 6th 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 5th of 14, 5l behind Carried (9-13) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp pol in Oct.
