chased leader, 4th halfway, no impression approaching 2 out, moderate 3rd from last
chased leaders, 6th halfway, 3rd 3 out, closed on leader to challenge next, soon led and in control from before last, driven clear run-in
chased leader, 3rd halfway, weakened from 4 out, tailed off
led, 6 lengths advantage from before halfway, reduced lead early straight and soon strongly pressed, headed after 2 out and no impression on winner before last, no extra run-in
chased leaders, weakened after halfway, pulled up before 4 out
always towards rear, pulled up before 3 out
chased leaders on outer, 7th halfway, 5th 3 out, no extra before next
rear of mid-division, no extra from 3 out and greatly eased late run-in, tailed off
held up towards rear, some headway from 4 out, ridden in 6th entering straight, no threat from 2 out and kept on one pace
rear of mid-division, no threat from 3 out, tailed off
chased leaders, 5th halfway, 3rd 4 out, no extra approaching straight, weakened, tailed off
tracked leader, 2nd halfway, ridden in 3rd entering straight, no extra after 2 out, moderate 4th from last
never a factor, no threat from before 3 out, weakened, completely tailed off
towards rear when fell 4th
always behind, pulled up before 3 out
towards rear, some headway into 7th 4 out, no extra from early straight
Taralga has shown a bit of promise but remains a maiden after a dozen starts over hurdles. Call Box has had half that number without winning and his future is probably over fences though he's well handicapped over the smaller obstacles. GIVE US A HAND is better over fences and is reverting to hurdling on a very fair mark after running in the Grade 1 Fort Leney at Leopardstown. He failed to take advantage of this mark here in November but came up against the very progressive Luke's Benefit and will be unfortunate to run into one of his kind this time. Too Late To Sell was beaten a distance in that latter race but showed massive improvement at Navan last time and Liszt ran well enough behind Selection Box at Downpatrick to suggest he can't be dismissed.
Oscar Hill (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders racing very keenly, pulled way to dispute briefly after 3rd, still prominent when pulled up before next (rider reported his mount hung badly right), in a race won by Star Of Aragon (11-0) at Leopardstown 2m nov hcp hdl 80-116 gd in Dec, 13 ran.
Ros Brin (IRE) 16-1 (10-4) Waited with towards rear, closer in 8th 3 out, no impression and kept on same pace from before straight, 5th of 13, 18l behind Beckett Rock (11-5) at Limerick 2m 6f hcp hdl 80-116 hvy in Dec.
Taralga (IRE) 9-1 (10-11) Prominent in chasing group, a bit closer 2 out, no impression under pressure and kept on same pace from before last, 3rd of 11, 6l behind Spring Wine (9-12) at Tramore 2m nov hcp hdl 80-109 hvy.
Liszt (IRE) 7-1 (10-9) Untidy 1st, soon led and clear, attempted to refuse 5 out, slightly reduced advantage, ridden and reduced advantage after 2 out, headed run-in and no extra, 2nd of 10, 4l behind Selection Box (11-10) at Downpatrick 2m 2f cond in Dec.
Storm Breaker (IRE) 16-1 (10-13) Chased leaders, 6th halfway, headway into 4th 4 out, 3rd 3 out, ridden in 2nd and no impression leader 2 out, kept on same pace, 2nd of 10, 9l behind Bay Of Kotor (11-11) at Down Royal 2m cond hcp hdl 80-102 hvy in Dec.
Court Knee (IRE) 50-1 (10-13) Chased leaders, 10th halfway, 8th 2 out, soon no impression, left moderate 7th after last, 6th of 25, 18l behind First Impressions (10-11) at Naas 2m 3f mdn hdl in Mar.
Call Box (IRE) 11-10fav (11-0) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, 2nd 4 out, improved to challenge before last, mistake and ridden last, hung left and no extra run-in, kept on same pace, 3rd of 13, 9l behind Come To The Party (11-7) at Downpatrick 2m 2f hcp hdl 80-95 in Dec.
Minor Power (IRE) 9-2fav (10-7) Soon towards rear, not fluent & reminders 7 out, no impression 4 out, 11th of 18, well behind Cloughmile (10-6) at Gowran Park 2m 2f hcp chs 0-116 sft in Nov.
Give Us A Hand (IRE) 66-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, 7th halfway, no extra from 3 out, weakened, tailed off, 6th of 8, well behind Last Instalment (11-10) at Leopardstown 3m nov chs Grade 1 (4yo+) (1) gd in Dec.
Lisdaleen (IRE) 8-1 (10-11) Towards rear for most, some late headway, never a factor, 9th of 19, 28l behind Rocky Wednesday (11-9) at Down Royal 2m mdn hdl hvy in Dec.
Killiney Castle (IRE) 16-1 (9-12) Chased leaders, 9th before 6 out, no danger and kept on without threatening from before straight, 6th of 14, 26l behind Fahamore (11-0) at Limerick 2m 5f hcp hdl 80-109 hvy in Dec.
Too Late To Sell (IRE) 12-1 (10-9) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, 3rd 3 out, ridden and no extra 2 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 16, 5l behind Strange Encounter (11-2) at Navan 2m 6f hcp hdl 80-102 hvy in Dec.
Street Runner 33-1 (10-6) Chased leaders, no impression in 5th approaching straight, 7th approaching 2 out where hampered, kept on same pace, 5th of 18, 29l behind Really Unique (11-7) at Limerick 2m 6f hcp hdl 80-102 hvy in Dec.
Brian Who (IRE) 16-1 (10-6) Chased leaders, closed from 4 out, no extra from next, 5th of 14, well behind Lookoutnow (10-11) at Thurles 2m 6f nov hcp hdl 80-109 hvy in Dec.
Grey Area (IRE) 18-1 (10-11) Towards rear, closer in 9th 4 out, no impression approaching straight, 10th of 15, 45l behind Clashnabrook (10-0) at Limerick 2m 5f hcp hdl 80-102 hvy in Dec.
Strong Euro (IRE) 25-1 (10-7) Held up towards rear, ridden into moderate 8th 2 out, no impression and kept on one pace, 9th of 16, 22l behind Luke's Benefit (11-10) at Fairyhouse 2m hcp hdl 80-95 sft in Nov.
Clifton Pier (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Mid-division best, pulled up after 4 out, in a race won by Bulls And Mortar (9-11) at Tramore 2m 6f hcp chs 0-95 gd in Apr, 16 ran.
Pampered Jack (IRE) 7-1 (9-13) Tracked leaders, on terms before straight, soon headed and no impression under pressure, kept on same pace, 4th of 15, 15l behind Clashnabrook (10-0) at Limerick 2m 5f hcp hdl 80-102 hvy in Dec.
