tracked leaders, ridden and weakened from 3f out
led and disputed early, weakened from 4f out
tracked leaders, ridden and no impression from 3f out
mid-division, no impression from f out
mid-division, headway into 2nd 2f out, soon ridden, kept on well in 2nd final furlong
mid-division, ridden entering straight, 6th 2f out, no impression
held up towards rear, headway from 4f out, 3rd 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, strongly pressed final furlong, stayed on well close home
held up towards rear, headway from 4f out, ridden in 4th 2f out, went 3rd 1f out, kept on same pace
led, joined early, ridden and strongly pressed entering straight, headed over 1f out, soon no extra
tracked leaders, ridden entering straight, 5th 2f out, no impression
rear of mid-division, some progress from 3f out, kept on one paced from 2f out
Eye Lied and So Oscar are newcomers to note in the betting as both have decent pedigrees while Five Hawk Wings should have more pace than most. Mad Brian hasn't been seen since a very fair run at Navan in November 2011 but Whinstone Dee made a promising start over the C&D a couple of weeks ago and has to go on the short-list. The race won by Outlander here a month ago should prove the best guide as the winner has won a better race subsequently. EIGHT CHIMES finished strongly into third that day, just in front of Indian File with Railway Tommy a further five lengths away. There doesn't appear any particular reason for a reversal of the form so it's Tony Martin's charge who gets the vote.
Black Streak (IRE) 66-1 (11-9) Mid-division, weakened from 3 out, tailed off, 12th of 14, well behind Clonbanan Lad (11-12) at Punchestown 2m mdn hdl sft in Oct.
Eye Lied (AUS) Royal Academy gelding out of Jamu.
Five Hawk Wings (IRE) Hawk Wing gelding out of Zarata.
Judge Harper (IRE) Captain Rio gelding out of Embracing.
Mad Brian (IRE) 11-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, lost place entering straight, ridden into 6th 2f out, challenged 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, kept on same pace, 2nd of 9, 2 1/2l behind Formidableopponent (11-11) at Navan 2m N H flat in Nov '11.
Craggie Island (IRE) Heron Island gelding out of Kilmore Lady.
Eight Chimes (FR) 25-1 (11-2) Mid-division, 7th 3f out, ridden entering straight, went moderate 3rd 1f out, kept on, 3rd of 17, 7l behind Outlander (11-9) at Fairyhouse 2m 4yo nhf sft in Dec.
Indian File (IRE) 10-1 (11-9) Tracked leaders, led after 4f, ridden and strongly pressed entering straight, headed 1 1/2f out, no extra final furlong, 4th of 17, 9l behind Outlander (11-9) at Fairyhouse 2m 4yo nhf sft in Dec.
Railway Tommy (IRE) 33-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, ridden and no impression from 3f out, 8th of 17, 14l behind Outlander (11-9) at Fairyhouse 2m 4yo nhf sft in Dec.
So Oscar (IRE) Oscar gelding out of So Proper.
Whinstone Dee (IRE) 14-1 (11-9) Mid-division, 8th 4f out, r in 6th 2f out, went moderate 3rd 1f out, kept on without threatening, 3rd of 13, 10l behind City Slicker (11-9) at Fairyhouse 2m 4yo nhf sft in Dec.
The Bawn Rose (IRE) Definite Article filly out of Zobaida.
Canadian Chief (IRE) 9-1 (12-0) Mid div, some prog final cct, wknd bef 3out & pu, in a race won by Ballyculla (12-0) at Loughanmore 3m ire ptp hvy in Nov, 17 ran.
