rear of mid-division, a little keen, slightly hampered at 5th, dropped to 8th at 7th where not fluent, soon under pressure, pulled up before 8th
tracked leader, led after 1st, not fluent at 9th, asserted before last, ran on well, easily
soon mid-division, not fluent at 3rd, mistake in 5th at 5th and fell
in touch, progress after 2nd, 2nd after 7th, lost place and weakened quickly before last
rear, not fluent at 1st, 5th after 7th, took closer order 4 out, 6th before 2 out where left 5th and hampered, no extra in moderate 4th run-in
soon rear of mid-division, towards rear after 2nd, 6th after 7th, progress before 2 out where left 4th, headway to 3rd before last, kept on same pace in moderate 3rd run-in
led narrowly, headed after 1st, 4th after 7th, 3rd after 10th, 4th at 11th, improved to 3rd 2 out, ridden and no impression on leader in 2nd before last, kept on one pace run-in
soon rear of mid-division, dropped to rear at 5th where badly hampered, 7th after 7th, detached after 11th, weakened 3 out, completely tailed off
in touch, 3rd after 7th, 4th after 10th, 3rd at 11th, not fluent 4 out and pecked, dropped to 4th 2 out where mistake and fell
Jody Ted may have made a winning start over fences at Cork but for unseating two out and made amends impressively at Clonmel but was very disappointing at Limerick last month. Winning bumper and hurdler Must Be Obeyed made most and battled on strongly to beat what looked a strong field at Punchestown on New Year's Eve while the lightly-raced INNOVATED (NAP) looked one to follow when making a winning start over fences at Down Royal. The latter gets the nod though Jack In The Box wasn't far behind and like the selection is entitled to improve. Clonbury Bridge has run well in a couple of handicaps after winning a beginners' chase at Downpatrick.
Jody Ted (IRE) 7-4fav (11-9) Mid-division, 4th before 5th, not fluent at 6th, progress to 3rd after 3 out, soon pushed along, dropped to 5th before 2 out, weakened after 2 out, 5th of 8, 28l behind Drumbear (11-5) at Limerick 2m 2f Soft - Heavy in Dec.
Must Be Obeyed (IRE) 18-1 (11-5) Prominent, disputed 3rd and led next, jumped left 7th, joined halfway, not fluent and headed 11th, led 4 out, pushed along after 2 out, ridden run-in, stayed on well, won at Punchestown 2m 7f Soft - Heavy in Dec beating Shantreusse (11-12) by 1 1/2l, 8 ran.
Sea Ducor 18-1 (11-12) Ran 3rd and soon well off pace, went remote 2nd 4 out, no impression after 2 out, slight mistake last and soon ridden, dropped to remote 3rd closing stages, 3rd of 4, 30 3/4l behind Dysart Dynamo (11-12) at Leopardstown 2m 1f Yielding in Dec.
Innovated (IRE) 16-1 (11-12) Mid-division, 5th halfway, mistakes 8th and next, headway to lead travelling well 2 out (usual 3 out), swerved around bypassed usual 2 out, 2 lengths lead last, ridden and kept on well, won at Down Royal 2m 4f sft in Dec beating Salmanino (11-12) by 3l, 10 ran.
Bay Ambition (IRE) 11-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, 6th 3 out, ridden in 5th next, weakened, 8th of 23, 12l behind Jungle Prose (11-12) at Navan 2m 6f hcp sft in Nov.
Clonbury Bridge (IRE) 11-5fav (11-1) Chased clear leader, 3rd halfway, ridden after 3 out, 4th and no impression when slight mistake 2 out, kept on one pace run-in to go 3rd close home, 3rd of 7, 15l behind Big Debates (11-5) at Fairyhouse 2m hcp Yielding - Soft in Dec.
Wellington Hill (IRE) 9-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, slight mistake 1st, soon settled behind leaders, slight mistake 4th, 7th halfway, ridden and no impression after 3 out, 6th of 14, 28 3/4l behind Jody Ted (11-12) at Clonmel 2m Soft - Heavy in Dec.
Cartwright 66-1 (11-12) Held up, moderate 5th halfway, behind from 8th, never a factor, 5th of 6, dist behind James Du Berlais (11-12) at Fairyhouse 2m 5f sft in Jan.
Jack In The Box (IRE) 9-2 (11-12) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, not clear run and checked before 2 out (usual 3 out), 6th 2 out, ridden in 4th when swerved around bypassed usual 2 out, no impression in 3rd when not fluent last, kept on one pace, 3rd of 10, 3 1/2l behind Innovated (11-12) at Down Royal 2m 4f sft in Dec.
