tracked leaders in 3rd, headway to lead after 3 out and soon ridden clear, mistake last, soon recovered and kept on well to maintain advantage
chased leaders, 4th 5 out, ridden entering straight and no impression on winner in 3rd 2 out, no extra in 4th approaching last
tracked leaders, 5th halfway, ridden approaching straight and no extra in 8th before 2 out, tailed off, lame post-race
chased clear leader in 2nd, closer from 4th and led 6th until headed 5 out, led again briefly 3 out, no extra under pressure entering straight and dropped to moderate 5th next
led and clear early, headed 6th until regained lead 5 out, headed approaching 3 out and soon no extra, no threat in straight
held up towards rear, headway into 4th 2 out, ridden to go 2nd but no impression on winner approaching last, kept on same pace
held up in rear, good headway into 3rd 3 out, ridden and no impression on winner in 2nd next, soon dropped to 3rd, no extra and kept on one pace
tracked leaders, 4th halfway, ridden approaching straight and no extra in 7th 2 out
always towards rear, tailed off
MICKS has been making very good progress and ran out a comfortable winner of a Gowran handicap in November. He's up 8lb for that but can complete a double at the main expense of That'Ll Do Me, a very easy winner at Punchestown yesterday and who was just run out of it by Kyle's Turn there previously. Good Fella likes this track but hasn't won for two years but Askmeroe found 2m on the short side behind the in-form Bay Of Kotor at Navan and, as he is very well handicapped on his form over fences, he looks a major threat.
Galant Ferns (IRE) 12-1 (10-13) In rear, niggled along 4th, ridden in moderate 11th after 3 out, progress on outer entering straight, 5th 2 out, went 3rd at last, kept on well final furlong and carried slightly left close home, 2nd of 16, 3/4l behind Schinkel (10-10) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f hcp hdl 8Evens23 sft in Dec.
Good Fella (IRE) 10-1 (11-0) Prominent, close 2nd 3 out, ridden to lead entering straight, headed after 2 out, kept on same from last, 3rd of 16, 2 1/2l behind Schinkel (10-10) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f hcp hdl 8Evens23 sft in Dec.
Micks (IRE) 7-2fav (10-8) Mid-division, closer order to track leaders approaching 3 out, challenged and on terms 2 out, soon led, stayed on well to assert run-in, comfortably, won at Gowran Park 3m hcp hdl 80-116 sft in Nov beating Novarov (10-10) by 1 3/4l, 20 ran.
Sole Witness (IRE) 8-1 (11-7) Mid-division, 6th halfway, ridden 3 out, no extra in moderate 7th 2 out, kept on one pace, 8th of 12, 19l behind Bay Of Kotor (10-9) at Navan 2m hcp hdl 80-109 hvy in Dec.
Lord Rudi (IRE) 25-1 (11-11) Prominent, 4th approaching straight, no extra from before 2 out, 7th of 15, 25l behind Clashnabrook (10-0) at Limerick 2m 5f hcp hdl 80-102 hvy in Dec.
Askmeroe (IRE) 10-3 (10-12) Held up towards rear, headway into moderate 8th 2 out, ridden in 5th last, kept on run-in, 3rd of 12, 6l behind Bay Of Kotor (10-9) at Navan 2m hcp hdl 80-109 hvy in Dec.
Sanmare (IRE) 66-1 (11-5) Held up towards rear, headway into 6th 3 out, ridden in 4th and no impression 2 out, moderate 3rd last, kept on one pace, 3rd of 9, 10l behind Boston Bob (11-12) at Navan 2m 4f mdn hdl in Nov.
Followmeuptocarlow (IRE) 33-1 (11-12) Towards rear, some headway 3 out, went moderate 8th entering straight, kept on one pace, 7th of 22, 32l behind Sword Of Destiny (11-12) at Punchestown 2m 4f mdn hdl in Oct.
Dushy Springs (IRE) 14-1 (10-5) Always towards rear, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Strange Encounter (11-2) at Navan 2m 6f hcp hdl 80-102 hvy in Dec, 16 ran.
That'll Do Me (IRE) 7-4fav (11-3) Settled in rear of mid-division, good headway into 6th approaching straight, challenged last, ridden to lead narrowly early run-in, no extra and headed closing strides, 2nd of 22, hd behind Kyle's Turn (11-6) at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp hdl 80-109 in Dec.
