led, joined briefly 3rd, extended lead to 4 lengths halfway, jumped left 10th and reduced advantage before next, pushed along and strongly pressed 2 out, soon headed, ridden and no impression in 3rd approaching last, no extra
tracked leaders, jumped left, 3rd halfway, slight mistake 4 out and soon no extra, behind and pulled up before next
mid-division, headway in 3rd 5 out, challenged 2 out and soon led, steadied and headed last, under pressure and kept on well run-in, just failed
tracked leader, disputed briefly 3rd, 2nd halfway, pushed along and no impression in 4th approaching straight, weakened, tailed off
in rear, jumped left 9th and 10th, soon reminders, pushed along and no impression before 4 out, detached and jumped left 3 out, no extra
ran 5th, closer 5 out, travelled well in 3rd before 2 out, pushed along and led last, under pressure and kept on run-in, held on
BAY OF FREEDOM hasn't made the expected progress after landing a Wexford Listed contest but was taking on too much in the Paddy Power last time and hadn't been beaten far in his two previous starts. He receives 4lb from Call It Magic which may just be enough to see off that rival, who was in fine form during the autumn, especially when making all at Galway, before having a run over hurdles in December. Drumacoo is back with Michael Hourigan after a spell in the UK and showed he retains his ability when having his first run for a year over hurdles at Navan in December. He hasn't had much racing and still has the potential to do better. Westerner Point, who finished eighth in the Grand National and has a tremendous strike-rate, can never be left out of calculations as his trainer has placed him superbly.
Call It Magic (IRE) 7-4fav (11-10) Led, 2 lengths clear at 6th, reduced advantage and mistake 4 out, headed before 2 out, soon ridden and weakened, 4th of 7, 14l behind Dom Dolo (11-4) at Thurles 2m 7f hvy in Dec.
Bay Of Freedom (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, 9th at 7th, moderate 7th at 9th, weakened straight, 19th of 28, dist behind Anibale Fly (11-8) at Leopardstown 3m Yielding in Dec.
Drumacoo (IRE) 14-1 (10-12) Held up, 9th approaching 4th, closed straight, no impression when slight mistake last, one pace, 5th of 15, 23 1/4l behind Diamond Cauchois (10-12) at Navan 2m 4f hcp hvy in Dec.
He Rock's (IRE) 9-1 (11-11) Tracked leaders, 5th halfway, slight mistake 11th, pushed along towards rear approaching 3 out, soon no extra, behind and pulled up before last, at Punchestown 3m 1f hcp Soft - Heavy in Jan.
Portrait King (IRE) 20-1 (11-10) Tracked leader in 2nd, 3rd halfway, dropped to 7th and ridden 3 out, no impression, 6th of 11, 24l behind Poormans Hill (11-2) at Fairyhouse 3m hcp hvy in Jan.
Westerner Point (IRE) 7-2fav (10-8) Chased leaders, soon 4th, 3rd before 8th, chased leader 4 out, pushed along and lost place before straight, soon no extra, 7th of 12, dist behind Lite Duties (11-3) at Cork 2m 4f hcp hvy in Jan.
