tracked leaders, ridden in 5th before 2 out, soon no impression
rear of mid-division, pushed along 2nd, weakened from 4 out
mid-division, mistake 3rd and reminders, ridden in 6th 4 out, no impression
tracked leaders on outer, ridden in 3rd after 4 out, weakened
towards rear, closer in mid-division at 8th, 9th and mistake 3 out, soon ridden and no impression
tracked leader in 2nd, ridden after 3 out, dropped to 4th at last, no extra
towards rear, pushed along early, headway into 7th 4 out, ridden in 4th before 2 out, no impression on leaders in 3rd at last, kept on well run-in
led, slight mistake 7th, ridden after 2 out, mistake at last, soon strongly pressed, headed and no extra close home
rear of mid-division, dropped to last and pushed along 6th, weakened, trailing when pulled up before 3 out
tracked leaders, ran in snatches, slight mistake 1st, not fluent 4th and 5th and pushed along, slight mistake 7th, ridden in 5th 3 out, went 3rd entering straight, 2nd at last, stayed on well to lead close home
always towards rear, ridden in moderate 8th entering straight, no impression
Martin Brassil has placed Glenquin Castle brilliantly to win his last seven, four over fences. He doesn't win by far and continues to defy the handicapper but he's 14lb higher than his last victory over hurdles. Alohamora ran well for a long way when sent to Cheltenham in November then reverted to fences with a comfortable victory on this track. She's back over timber on a lower mark so should get into contention. Gordon Elliott has three entries with ARDHILL looking the best of them and the one to beat. Placed just once in 11 starts, he was sent to Ascot for a novices' handicap and made a mockery of his official mark, cruising round and quickly putting the race to bed, landing a gamble in the process. Not surprisingly he's been hit hard by the assessor but still looks well in. That's Lifebuoy looked to have a chance in the 2.13 at Cork yesterday.
Espanito Bello (FR) 8-1 (11-9) Towards rear, mistake 1st and not fluent jumping after, in rear when bad mistake 4th and soon pulled up, at Limerick 2m 4f hcp hvy in Dec.
Ravenhill (IRE) 40-1 (11-0) Towards rear, slow jump 13th (bechers), tailed off back straight, pulled up, at Aintree 3m 2f hcp (1) sft in Dec.
Silver Sheen 50-1 (10-11) Close up, 5th before 6th, lost place before 2 out, kept on without threatening before last, 12th of 27, 23 1/4l behind Panda Boy (10-9) at Leopardstown 3m hcp sft in Dec.
Mr Josiey Wales (IRE) 22-1 (11-13) Prominent, slightly slow 4th, lost position and no impression from 3 out, no extra from before straight, 5th of 8, 28 1/2l behind Daly Tiger (11-13) at Limerick 2m 4f hvy in Dec.
Glenquin Castle (IRE) 11-8fav (10-9) Mid-division, progress 4 out, 4th next, travelled well in 2nd entering straight, ridden after 2 out, pressed leader and 1-length down when slight mistake and left in lead last, kept on well run-in, won at Punchestown 3m 2f hcp Yielding - Soft in Dec beating Exit To The West (11-2) by 1 1/2l, 18 ran.
Ciao Bella (FR) 40-1 (9-12) Always towards rear, never a factor, 15th of 23, 25 1/4l behind Commander Of Fleet (11-10) at Navan 3m hcp Yielding in Dec.
Young Dev (IRE) 13-2 (11-11) Held up towards rear, slight mistake 9th, 6th 3 out, pushed along in 4th next, ridden and no impression in 3rd before last, kept on one pace, 3rd of 18, 16 1/2l behind Itsnotinit (11-5) at Limerick 3m hcp hvy in Dec.
Alohamora (IRE) 3-1 (9-13) Made all, increased advantage at 4th, clear at 7th, reduced lead before 10th where not fluent, not fluent 3 out, asserted before last, kept on well, comfortably, won at Fairyhouse 2m 4f hcp gd in Nov beating Hurricane Georgie (10-2) by 6 1/2l, 5 ran.
Freewheelin Dylan (IRE) 15-2 (10-12) Midfield until mistake and unseated rider 27th (aintree), at Cheltenham 3m 6f hcp (2) gd in Nov.
Wall Of Fame (IRE) 5-1 (12-0) Settled behind leaders, pushed along briefly before 5th, slight mistake 6th, ridden 4 out, no impression in 5th before 2 out, kept on one pace, 5th of 15, 19l behind Hi Ho Phoenix (11-6) at Fairyhouse 2m 7f mdn Yielding - Soft in Dec.
Fiveaftermidnight (IRE) 66-1 (9-12) Rear of mid-division, dropped to rear and mistake at 7th, 11th halfway, detached after 17th, weakened after 3 out, 7th of 11, 18 1/4l behind Smoking Gun (10-4) at Fairyhouse 3m 5f hcp gd in Nov.
Ardhill (IRE) 4-1fav (10-10) Front mid-division, smooth headway to chase front rank 4 out, close up 3 out, pressed leader going easily before 2 out, led after 2 out, went clear before last, won in a canter, won at Ascot 3m hcp (4) gs in Dec beating Imphal (11-3) by 7 1/2l, 16 ran.
That's Lifebuoy (IRE) 9-4 (11-5) Chased leaders in 4th, mistake 4 out, 3rd 3 out and soon went 2nd, led briefly before 2 out where joined, ridden and headed before last, no impression in 3rd at last, kept on one pace, 2nd on line, 2nd of 7, 6l behind Young Fitzy (11-5) at Tramore 1m 7f Soft - Heavy in Jan.
