held up, soon in mid-division, closer order when hampered 3 out, soon 3rd, raced on outer and ridden straight, challenged from last, led and stayed on well closing stages
prominent, on terms from 4 out, fell next
held up towards rear, went 4th but under pressure before straight, no extra from after 2 out
led, bad mistake 4 out, soon joined, headed from next, soon weakened and eased, tailed off
chased leaders, a little slow at 6th, moderate 7th and no extra approaching straight
chased leaders, moderate 5th approaching straight, soon no extra
soon chased leaders, closed into 2nd approaching straight, challenged from before 2 out, soon on terms, gained narrow lead run-in, headed closing stages, dropped to 3rd near line
tracked leaders, on terms from 4 out, led from next, drifted a little left before 2 out, soon joined, rider dropped whip after last, soon headed, not match winner and kept on same pace closing stages
soon in rear, still towards back when impeded by faller 3 out, no danger approaching straight
Man With Van, a winning point-to-pointer, looked a useful prospect when beating a big field of maidens at Down Royal though he'll find these rivals stronger. The Pounds had nine runs in bumpers without winning but showed that jumping is his game with a convincing maiden success on heavy going at Thurles. He looks certain to be in the shake-up but, with a 4lb allowance, OWENNACURRA MILAN looks the one to beat after a fine effort in a handicap on this track last time where he looked certain to be suited by this shorter trip. Everything Zain had strong form in 2012 but was beaten a long way on his belated return on St Stephen's Day so a bigger threat looks to be Roll It Out, who could hardly have made a better impression when beating subsequent winner Mister Nibbles on his racecourse debut at Down Royal.
Man With Van (IRE) 6-4fav (11-1) Mid-division, progress into 4th 4 out, led after 3 out, ridden clear and wandered around before last, kept on well run-in and drifted left, won at Down Royal 2m 4f mdn hdl sft in Dec beating Der Kaiser (10-13) by 6l, 18 ran.
The Pounds (IRE) 9-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders and 3rd halfway, progress 3 out and led approaching straight, ridden to assert between final 2, stayed on well run-in, won at Thurles 2m mdn hdl hvy in Jan beating Kerrieonvic (11-4) by 7l, 18 ran.
Roll It Out (IRE) 6-1 (11-4) Mid-division, mistake 4th, closer in 6th 4 out, 3rd 3 out, ridden to challenge 2 out, soon led, kept on well, won at Down Royal 2m mdn hdl sft in Dec beating Mister Nibbles (11-5) by 2 3/4l, 20 ran.
Casa Jove (IRE) 10-1 (11-12) Made all, still just in front 2 out, soon strongly pressed, stayed on well run-in, all out, won at Tramore 2m nh nov hdl sft in Dec '11 beating Turban (11-9) by hd, 6 ran.
Joseph Lister 9-4fav (11-7) Took keen hold, chased leaders, mistake 7th, lost place next, outpaced 3 out, rallied and hung left from 2 out, went modest 4th last, 4th of 10, 24l behind Cue To Cue (11-0) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Nov '12.
Maringo Bay (IRE) 5-2 (10-7) Chased leaders, 2 lengths 3rd and going ok when fell 2 out, in a race won by Pateese (10-12) at Ffos Las 3m nov chs (4) sft in Apr, 6 ran.
Owennacurra Milan (IRE) 14-1 (10-13) Held up early, soon mid-division, 6th halfway, progress into 4th 2 out, soon ridden, stayed on to challenge last, disputed run-in, no extra close home, 3rd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Annie Oakley (10-4) at Punchestown 3m hcp hdl in Jan.
Seriatim (IRE) 33-1 (11-1) Soon mid-division, pushed along and reminders from 2nd, mistake 8th, closed to track leaders before straight, challenged and slight mistake 3 out, no impression and kept on same pace from before last, 4th of 15, 12l behind Oscars Business (10-7) at Navan 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 in Dec.
Everything Zain (IRE) 16-1 (11-3) Not fluent 1st and pushed along, under pressure in last approaching 6 out, no extra 4 out, completely tailed off, 5th of 6, well behind Smashing (11-7) at Limerick 2m 4yo hdl hvy in Dec.
Sweeney Tunes 14-1 (11-2) Mid-division, ridden towards rear 4 out, weakened and pulled up before last, in a race won by He'llberemembered (10-4) at Leopardstown 2m 5f hcp chs sft in Jan, 21 ran.
