settled in mid-division, 7th halfway, 4th 4 out, ridden along in 3rd approaching 2 out, went 2nd before last where pecked badly on landing, not recover
chased leaders, 5th halfway, 4th entering straight, no extra from 2 out
tracked leaders and always prominent, 2nd halfway, no impression on winner in straight and dropped to 3rd before last, no extra run-in
mid-division, 8th halfway, no extra from 3 out, tailed off
never a factor, mistake 5th, behind when pulled up before 3 out
led early, headed before 3rd but remained prominent, 3rd halfway, no extra from 4 out and weakened, completely tailed off
rear of mid-division, steady headway into 6th approaching straight, no extra from 2 out
mid-division on inner, 6th halfway, no extra in 7th approaching 2 out
always prominent and raced keenly, led from before 3rd, kept on well in straight and left well clear after last
mid-division, 9th halfway, 6th approaching straight, went 4th 2 out but soon no extra, kept on one pace
tracked leaders, 4th halfway, no extra after 4 out and weakened, pulled up before 2 out
rear of mid-division, mistake 1st, headway to go 5th briefly 5 out, no extra and weakened when mistake 3 out, completely tailed off
rear of mid-division, mistake 1st, no threat from 3 out, tailed off
Cadspeed was a very progressive hurdler who didn't do quite as well as expected in two starts over fences around this time a year ago. He'll have had extensive schooling and could well be useful though he takes on a couple of promising performers here. AITMATOV was a very useful hurdler who has gradually been getting the hang of things over fences and was only just touched off over the C&D on New Year's Day. Further improvement should be forthcoming and he is taken to see off Rathlin, who hasn't appeared to enjoy testing conditions when a beaten favourite on his two latest starts. Pontiac was in good form in novice company last season and stays extreme distances while The Shepherd improved massively on his two opening runs over the bigger obstacles when just half-a-length behind Gran Torino at Down Royal with the remainder beaten a long way.
Aitmatov (GER) 9-2 (11-12) Chased leaders mainly 5th, closer approaching 4 out, ridden and no impression in 4th 2 out, rallied from before last, kept on under pressure run-in to go 2nd close home, not reach winner, 2nd of 5, nk behind Frisco Depot (11-12) at Fairyhouse 2m 5f beg chase sft.
Forestside (IRE) 9-2 (11-10) Held up in 4th, driven and outpaced on long run between last 2, weakened before last, tailed off, 7th of 8, well behind Fentara (11-2) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) hvy in Dec.
Harpsy Cord (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) Mid-division best, no extra from before 2 out, completely tailed off, 13th of 17, well behind Tornedo Shay (11-12) at Punchestown 2m 4f hdl gs in May.
High Desert (GER) 6-1 (11-5) Mid-division, fell 4th, in a race won by Gran Torino (11-9) at Down Royal 2m 4f beg chs hvy in Dec, 11 ran.
Letterofapproval (IRE) 16-1 (11-7) Soon mid-division, moderate 5th after 3 out, soon no impression and kept on same pace, 6th of 10, 41l behind Point The Toes (10-8) at Tramore 2m 5f mdn hdl gf in Aug.
Mickey Monk (IRE) 50-1 (11-7) Prominent in chasing group, a bit slow 5th, no extra 5 out, 6th of 10, 48l behind Marble House (11-12) at Tramore 2m 5f beg chs sft in Dec.
Mister First (FR) 12-1 (10-13) Mid-division, 11th halfway, no impression from 2 out, 15th of 25, well behind Down Under (10-8) at Navan 2m 4f hcp hdl 80-109 sft in Nov.
Pontiac (FR) 16-1 (10-8) Mid-division, weakened 9 out, pulled up before 7 out, in a race won by Uncle Junior (11-0) at Punchestown 3m 6f hcp chs 0-140 gd in May, 25 ran.
Rathlin 11-8fav (11-12) Led and disputed, slightly slow jump 6 out, 2nd approaching 4 out, 3rd approaching 2 out, soon no impression under pressure, kept on same pace, 3rd of 16, 7l behind Bishopsfurze (11-12) at Thurles 2m 2f beg chs hvy in Nov.
The Shepherd (IRE) 4-1 (11-5) Chased leaders 4th halfway, headway in 3rd 3 out, ridden to challenge 2 out, disputed from last, just headed close home, 2nd of 11, 1/2l behind Gran Torino (11-9) at Down Royal 2m 4f beg chs hvy in Dec.
Whatdoyousay 20-1 (11-9) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden and weakened over 3f out, 9th of 11, 43l behind Ballycasey (11-10) at Leopardstown 2m 4f N H flat in Dec.
Whatever Jacksays (IRE) 33-1 (11-12) In rear, mistake 2nd, kept on one pace and some progress in straight without threatening, 5th of 14, well behind Crash (11-7) at Punchestown 2m 4f beg chs in Dec.
Shellys Creek (IRE) 14-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, no impression approaching 3 out, 5th of 9, well behind Belle Brook (11-7) at Cork 2m 4f mrs beg chs hvy.
Cadspeed (FR) 8-15fav (11-2) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, slight mistake 5 out, challenged 2 out, ridden in 3rd and no extra before last, kept on same pace, 3rd of 7, 12l behind Uncle Tom Cobley (10-13) at Naas 2m nov chs sft in Jan '11.
