prominent early, towards rear before 5th, no impression in last at 8th, no extra approaching straight
soon led, joined after 5th, soon headed, 4th when hit 8th, soon weakened, pulled up before 2 out
held up, not fluent and slightly impeded 2nd, not much room on inner around bypassed 3 out, 7th approaching straight and pushed along, no impression and slight mistake 2 out, no extra
held up, not fluent 7th, closer in 4th approaching straight travelling smoothly, slight mistake 2 out, soon no impression, kept on without threatening run-in into 2nd near finish
close up, mistake 6th, 5th and pushed along approaching straight, soon no impression
held up in touch, not fluent and slightly impeded 2nd, last and pushed along briefly 7th, not fluent next, 6th approaching straight, no impression and one pace 2 out
tracked leaders, on terms approaching straight, led between last 2, jumped slightly left last, stayed on well run-in
held up in touch early, soon prominent, on terms approaching straight, headed between last 2, jumped slightly right last, one pace and dropped to 3rd near finish
tracked leaders, on terms after 5th, soon led, headed and 3rd approaching straight, no extra from 2 out
mistake 1st and reminder, soon chased leaders, fell 2nd
An excellent prize has produced a strong line-up with Gordon Elliott, Willie Mullins and Sandra Hughes all doubly represented. The former's Clarcam, a dual Grade 1 winner over fences, has continued to race at the highest level and this represents a significant drop in class while stable companion Bright New Dawn, runner-up to Mallowney in this a year ago, has been operating at Grade 2 level with distinction. The champion trainer has the disappointing Mozoltov on the recovery trail after injury though he didn't enhance his prospects with a poor run at Cheltenham last month so Tennis Cap is likely to be the stable's main hope. He's won a couple of minor races over fences but will need to step up so it's NEARLY NAMA'D who looks the one to be on for the JP McManus/Hughes/Geraghty team. His victory over Minella Foru at Fairyhouse in November was given a huge boost when the runner-up won the Paddy Power at Leopardstown and a 7lb rise may not be enough to prevent a follow-up. Stablemate Guitar Pete, a Grade 1 winner over timber, hasn't quite hit the heights over fences but has plenty of time and should win a nice race soon.
Clarcam (FR) 14-1 (11-12) Held up in rear, 5th 3 out, ridden and no impression before 2 out where left 4th, kept on one pace, 4th of 6, 26l behind Flemenstar (11-12) at Leopardstown 2m 1f (1) hvy in Dec.
Baily Green (IRE) 25-1 (11-4) Soon close up, impeded 1st, on terms 3rd, led from next, headed approaching 5 out, losing place from next, no extra last, tailed off, 16th of 22, dist behind Shanahan's Turn (10-10) at Galway 2m 7f hcp gd in Jul.
Bright New Dawn (IRE) 4-1 (11-4) Held up in rear, took keen hold, slight mistake 2nd, closer order approaching straight to chase leaders, challenged from between last 2, 2nd at last, kept on same pace run-in, 2nd of 5, 2 1/2l behind Felix Yonger (11-12) at Navan 2m 1f (1) hvy in Dec.
Mozoltov 8-1 (10-12) In rear, slow 1st, awkward and behind from next, continued to lack fluency, well adrift from 9th, pulled up before 12th, at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (1) sft in Dec.
Days Hotel (IRE) 9-1 (11-4) Prominent, hampered 3rd, soon disputed lead briefly, slight mistake 8th, challenged and on terms 2 out, dropped to 4th from before last, one pace, 4th of 5, 5 1/2l behind Felix Yonger (11-12) at Navan 2m 1f (1) hvy in Dec.
Tennis Cap (FR) 4-1 (11-5) Led, headed after 3rd, led briefly 4 out, pushed along before 2 out and no impression in 3rd when slight mistake last, no extra, 3rd of 5, 18 1/2l behind Smashing (11-1) at Gowran Park 2m 4f hvy in Nov.
Nearly Nama'd (IRE) 40-1 (10-6) Tracked leaders, slight mistake 1st, jumped left 3rd, slightly slow 5th and 6th, on terms from 8th, led before 4 out, slight mistake 3 out, jumped left 2 out, soon went on, slight mistake last and reduced lead, stayed on best run-in,, won at Fairyhouse 2m 1f hcp Soft - Heavy in Nov beating Minella Foru (10-8) by 2 1/4l, 16 ran.
Guitar Pete (IRE) 3-1jfav (11-8) Prominent, impeded 4 out, on terms from next, headed 2 out and slight mistake, not much room briefly between last 2 and switched left, no extra in 4th from before last where not fluent, 5th of 9, 9 3/4l behind Rossvoss (11-4) at Punchestown 2m 6f hcp sft in Nov.
Draycott Place (IRE) 11-4 (11-10) Made virtually all and jumped well, ridden after 2 out, joined briefly before last, rallied well to regain lead at last, stayed on well run-in, won at Tramore 2m 6f gd in Apr beating Urano (11-10) by 2l, 4 ran.
Irish Thistle (IRE) 14-1 (11-7) Bumped 1st, soon raced in 6th, not fluent 6th, no impression 2 out, kept on without threatening run-in, 5th of 10, 8 1/2l behind Dysios (11-5) at Leopardstown 2m 1f hcp hvy in Dec.
Pires 12-1 (11-5) Held up, 9th after 1st, slightly impeded 8th, disputed moderate 6th approaching straight, soon no extra, 8th of 10, 19 3/4l behind Dysios (11-5) at Leopardstown 2m 1f hcp hvy in Dec.
