closed up and disputed lead, a bit slow and headed from last, drifted left run-in, demoted to 4th
tracked leaders, 4th 4 out, lost place from before next, no extra from before straight
soon tracked leaders, on terms before straight, led run-in and stayed on well to hold on at the finish
tracked leaders, closer in 3rd from before 3 out, struggling to get there from 2 out, no extra and kept on same pace from before last
close up and disputed lead, still on terms 4 out, weakened from before next, tailed off
waited with towards rear, closer in 5th before 3 out, struggling to get there from 2 out, kept on same pace in 4th from before last
waited with towards rear, niggled along approaching 4 out, no extra from before next and pulled up before 2 out
keen hold, held up towards rear, closed to chase leaders before straight, kept on under pressure without quite getting to principals closing stages, dead-heated for 3rd but promoted to a share of 2nd
tracked leaders, close up and a bit slow 3 out, ridden to chase leaders from next, kept on under pressure without quite getting to principals closing stages, dead-heated for 3rd but promoted to a share of 2nd
The Shoe Doctor needs a thorough test of stamina and may not get off the mark until tackling three miles and beyond while Yachvili, though arriving in good form after his Downpatrick success, is held by today's rival Dunroe Boy on their run at Ballinrobe in June. The latter was just touched off by PRESWELL LAD at Tramore last week but that was over fences and the winner can meet his rival on much better terms here so has to be the selection to follow up. Dante Anna gained a shock victory in a Gowran maiden before finding Grade 3 company at Limerick far too much for her though she makes her handicap debut off a high enough mark. Miss Xian produced her best run to date at Fairyhouse on New Year's Day and has more scope than most so should be kept on the right side.
Dunroe Boy (IRE) 10-1 (11-4) Soon tracked leaders, challenged and on terms approaching 2 out where in front, strongly pressed run-in and headed on line, 2nd of 12, shd behind Preswell Lad (10-12) at Tramore 2m 5f hcp chs 0-95 hvy.
Dante Anna (IRE) 20-1 (10-7) Raced in 3rd early, niggled along at stages, soon 4th, dropped to last and no extra from before 5 out, left poor 4th from next, 4th of 5, well behind Our Vinnie (11-6) at Limerick 3m nov hdl Grd 3 (1) hvy in Dec.
Miss Xian (IRE) 16-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders, 3rd 3 out, soon ridden, went moderate 2nd after 2 out, kept on without threatening easy winner, 2nd of 9, 8l behind Wise Oscar (11-5) at Fairyhouse 2m 6f hcp hdl 80-116 hvy.
Knock Beauty (IRE) 25-1 (10-8) Chased leaders, 7th halfway, ridden 5 out and behind when pulled up after next, in a race won by Sherika (9-7) at Gowran Park 2m 4f Mares Handicap Hurdle (80-116) (4yo+) sft in Dec, 10 ran.
Farmaland (IRE) 25-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, ridden in 2nd briefly entering straight, no extra from 2 out, 4th of 8, 18l behind Playing (11-11) at Clonmel 2m 4f cond hcp hdl 80-95 in Dec.
The Shoe Doctor (IRE) 5-1 (10-1) Held up in the last pair, closer order from 6 out, 2nd before straight where went wide and ridden, not getting there and kept on same pace from 2 out, 2nd of 7, 11l behind Drawn N Drank (10-13) at Limerick 3m hcp hdl 80-116 hvy in Dec.
Yachvili (IRE) 10-1 (10-12) Chased clear leader, closer in 5th halfway, 3rd 3 out and soon went 2nd, ridden to challenge early run-in and kept on best to lead final 100 yards, won at Downpatrick 2m 6f hcp hdl 80-95 sft in Nov beating Rudigreen (11-7) by 1/2l, 8 ran.
Preswell Lad (IRE) 8-1 (10-12) Waited with, a bit slow 7th, closer order from before 3 out, 3rd next, good run along rail from before last, stayed on well to lead on line, won at Tramore 2m 5f hcp chs 0-95 hvy beating Dunroe Boy (11-4) by shd, 12 ran.
Spiker The Biker (IRE) 10-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, dropped to rear after halfway, ridden approaching straight, moderate 6th 2 out, kept on one pace, 5th of 11, 19l behind Take A Shot (11-5) at Down Royal 2m 4f hcp chs 0-95 hvy in Dec.
