rear of mid-division, mistake 2nd, weakened from 4 out, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
led, headed 5th, disputed lead briefly 4 out, ridden and led again entering straight, headed before 2 out, kept on onepaced before last
in rear, reminders 6th, weakened from 4 out, pulled up before 3 out
tracked leaders, close 3rd 3 out, soon ridden, no impression on leaders after 2 out
prominent, led from 5th and soon clear, headed 4 out and soon weakened, trailing straight and eased before last
tracked leaders, 5th 3 out, travelling well on outer entering straight, led after 2 out and soon clear, kept on well from last, easily
tracked leaders, disputed lead 4 out, led next, soon ridden and no impression, weakened from 2 out
always in rear, no impression from 4 out, slight mistake 2 out
tracked leaders, 4th 3 out, soon ridden, no impression on winner after 2 out, disputing 2nd when slight mistake last, kept on run-in
tracked leaders, slight mistake 6th, 5th 4 out, soon ridden and weakened
mid-division, 8th 5 out, no impression from 3 out
always towards rear, pulled up before 2 out
OUT NOW was always travelling well when comfortably scoring over 2m4f and neither the shorter trip nor a subsequent 10lb rise should prevent a follow-up. Saludos is a very progressive chaser making his handicap debut. He won a Grade 2 on heavy ground at Navan in February and any more rain will be to his advantage. I Hear A Symphony has gone up 7lb for beating Jigalo at Down Royal but can still get involved as can Majestic Oak, who scored at Cork in January and made a very satisfactory return to action there in October. Gentle Alice hasn't exactly been consistent but she's useful at her best and no forlorn hope in an open contest.
Free World (FR) 9-2 (10-9) Mid-division, moderate 7th approaching 4 out, struggling when hampered next, soon pulled up, in a race won by King High (9-11) at Cork 2m hcp chs in Oct, 9 ran.
Saludos (IRE) 9-4 (11-10) Tracked leader, led 4th until headed halfway, pushed along from early straight and slight mistake 2 out, no chance with winner after last, no extra under pressure and lost 2nd on line, 3rd of 4, 7l behind Quel Esprit (11-6) at Naas 2m 3f chs in Nov.
I Hear A Symphony (IRE) 20-1 (11-9) Tracked leaders, 5th 4 out, smooth headway to lead after 2 out, ridden and kept on well run-in, won at Down Royal 2m hcp chs sft in Nov beating Jigalo (11-4) by 4 1/2l, 11 ran.
Out Now (IRE) 4-1 (11-6) Tracked leader in 2nd, led 5 out, travelling well early straight and asserted from 2 out, kept on well, won at Clonmel 2m 4f hcp chs sft in Nov beating Mirador Del Conde (10-13) by 10l, 6 ran.
Uncle Tom Cobley (IRE) 11-2 (11-6) Tracked leader in 2nd and clear of remainder, ridden early straight and no extra from 2 out, weakened, 6th of 9, 21l behind Hans Crescent (9-9) at Cork 2m hcp chs 0-140 hvy in Nov.
Lastoftheleaders (IRE) 14-1 (11-8) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, slight mistake 3 out, 3rd next, no impression under pressure before last, kept on one pace, 4th of 14, 4 1/2l behind Dul Ar An Ol (11-3) at Naas 2m hcp hdl 8Evens23 in Nov.
Majestic Oak (FR) 10-1 (9-10) Prominent in chasing group, closer order into straight, 2nd 2 out, soon no impression under pressure, kept on same pace, 2nd of 9, 5l behind King High (9-11) at Cork 2m hcp chs in Oct.
Gentle Alice (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) Towards rear, ridden in 6th approaching straight, left 4th after 2 out, left 2nd after last, no impression on winner run-in, 2nd of 6, 3 1/2l behind Blazing Tempo (11-5) at Clonmel 2m 4f mares chs Grd 3 (1) sft in Nov.
Peak Raider (IRE) 7-1 (10-8) Rear of mid-division, headway into 6th 3 out, ridden in 5th 3 out, no extra before last, kept on same pace, 5th of 14, 9l behind Lucky Spring (11-0) at Down Royal 2m hcp hdl 0-140 sft in Nov.
The Sneezer (IRE) 16-1 (11-2) Led, headed 2 out, soon no extra, 6th of 19, 42l behind Tharawaat (11-10) at Galway 2m 6f hcp chs hvy in Oct.
Mahrajaan (USA) 33-1 (11-1) Held up towards rear, fell 3rd, in a race won by Tanks For That (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m hcp chs 0-145 (2) gd in Nov, 17 ran.
Clarkey (IRE) 4-1fav (9-10) Soon chased leaders, 5th halfway, ridden in 7th 3 out, no extra and kept on one pace, 6th of 13, 23l behind King's Parade (9-13) at Naas 2m 3f hcp hdl in Oct.