mid-division, weakened quickly halfway, trailing when pulled up 7f out
always towards rear, trailing 3f out, completely tailed off
held up in rear of mid-division, some progress into 4th 4f out, soon ridden, moderate 5th 1 1/2f out, no impression
held up in rear, progress into 6th entering straight, ridden in 5th 1 1/2f out, improved into 2nd 1f out, kept on well final furlong
led and took keen hold, ridden and headed entering straight, soon weakened quickly
tracked leader in 2nd, ridden in 2nd entering straight, weakened from 2f out
tracked leaders, improved to lead entering straight, ridden over 1f out, stayed on well under pressure final furlong
tracked leaders, 6th 4f out, ridden entering straight, soon weakened
mid-division, 5th 4f out, improved into 2nd and ridden 2f out, dropped to 3rd 1f out, kept on same pace
Bertie Bell started a short-priced favourite for his debut between the flags at Largy in May and made no mistake and, being by Kalanisi, should have enough pace for bumpers. Jetstream Jack was an impressive winner of a point at Affane in November and has joined Gordon Elliott so has to be respected, especially with Nina Carberry on board. Anibale Fly is an interesting newcomer for Tony Martin and the Tractor Man has a superb pedigree but MASTER OF VERSE gets another opportunity to recoup losses after his defeat at long odds-on by Wildebeest at Punchestown.
Bertie Bell (IRE) Evens (12-2) Alw pr, disp from 3out, chall 2out, adv last, held on, won at Largy 3m ire ptp gd in May beating Calivigny (12-2) by 1/2l, 15 ran.
Ekbaal 100-1 (11-4) Held up, moderate 9th 5 out where not fluent, soon no danger, tailed off, 10th of 13, well behind Cappacurry Zak (11-4) at Tramore 2m 5f mdn hdl in Dec.
Master Of Verse (IRE) 2-7fav (12-0) Led early, then raced in 2nd, led before straight, pushed along from 2f out, headed over 1f out, soon no impression, one pace,, 2nd of 8, 4l behind Wildebeest (12-0) at Punchestown 2m NH flat sft in Nov.
Anibale Fly (FR) Assessor gelding out of Nouba Fly.
Fiftyshortshirocco (IRE) 5-1 (11-9) Alw in rr, pu 4out, in a race won by Classic Place (11-9) at Largy 3m ire ptp gd in May, 9 ran.
Gala Ball (IRE) Flemensfirth gelding out of Nuit Des Chartreux.
Jetstream Jack (IRE) 4-1 (11-9) Rcd 3rd, lft 2nd at 9th, 2nd when mstk 6out, ld 3out & hmprd by loose horse 2out, adv & gng best last, so, won at Affane 3m ire ptp in Nov beating Crocodile Dundee (11-9) by 4l, 13 ran.
Peter The Mayo Man (IRE) 66-1 (11-2) Rear of mid-division, closer in moderate 8th and ridden entering straight, kept on one paced from 2f out, 5th of 13, 15l behind Identity Thief (11-4) at Fairyhouse 2m 4yo NH flat in Nov.
The Tractor Man (IRE) Flemensfirth gelding out of Sadie's Pet.
