towards rear, closed to track leaders 3 out, 4th before straight, challenged from before last where led, headed and kept on same pace run-in
soon chased leaders, 7th 3 out, no extra from before straight
towards rear, behind when mistake 3 out, pulled up before 2 out
soon chased leaders, improved to be on terms before straight, led approaching last where headed, regained lead and stayed on well run-in
tracked leaders, jumped left and not fluent 10th, no extra and bad mistake 5 out, pulled up before next
always towards rear, never a factor
prominent, led from 4 out, joined before straight, headed and weakened approaching last
always towards rear, never a factor
soon chased leaders, 5th 3 out, ridden before straight, no impression and kept on same pace from after 2 out
chased leaders, 4th 3 out, 5th before straight, ridden to go 2nd approaching last, soon 3rd and no impression, kept on same pace
prominent, 3rd 3 out, lost place and no extra from before straight
led, clear halfway, reduced lead before 4 out, soon headed and weakened, pulled up before 2 out
This looks yet another for the champion trainer as the chasing debut of SUNTIEP has been eagerly awaited. Unbeaten in three starts, the latest when slamming the useful Bonisland at Navan in March, he's always been regarded as a potentially useful staying chaser and though this is no easy task he can get off the mark at the first time of asking. Minsk is a smart hurdler who didn't make much of an impression on his chasing bow at Navan but there's much more to come and he looks a threat while Rogue Angel has done well against strong opposition and will ensure a stiff test. Followmeuptocarlow arrives in tremendous shape after beating a big field over hurdles here on his reappearance though he's making his chasing debut at an advanced age.
Followmeuptocarlow (IRE) 10-1 (11-11) In rear, ridden entering straight, moderate 14th 2 out, went 7th at last stayed on strongly to lead close home, won at Fairyhouse 2m 4f hcp hdl 80-116 in Nov beating Vaxalco (10-11) by 1/2l, 24 ran.
Jimmy The Hat (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) 6th of 8, 29l behind Ipsos Du Berlais (11-12) at Downpatrick 2m 7f beg chs sft in Oct.
Juan De Gracia (IRE) 20-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders in moderate 5th, jumped right at 1st, moderate 5th 5 out, no impression from next, 7th of 11, well behind Ballycasey (11-12) at Navan 2m 1f beg chs in Nov.
My Murphy (IRE) 9-1 (11-12) Soon tracked leaders, jumped a little left 7th, dropped to last briefly from before 4 out, pushed along into 4th approaching straight, no impression and kept on same pace from 2 out, 4th of 7, 2 1/4l behind Hunting Party (11-12) at Gowran Park 2m 4f beg chs in Nov.
Saddlers Job (IRE) 50-1 (11-12) Towards rear, pushed along briefly after 6th, slow jump 7 out, no impression next, fell 4 out,, in a race won by Sitcom (11-5) at Thurles 2m 2f beg chs gd in Nov, 12 ran.
Soaring High (IRE) 16-1 (11-4) Always behind, tailed off, 10th of 17, well behind Fort George (11-4) at Listowel 3m hts chs gd in Jun.
Suntiep (FR) 7-4 (11-4) Led after 1st and made most, joined 4 out, led again before 2 out, ridden before last, stayed on well run-in, won at Navan 2m 7f nov hdl hvy in Mar beating Bonisland (11-3) by 3 1/2l, 4 ran.
Glenwood For Ever (IRE) 20-1 (10-11) Held up in rear of mid-division on outer, pushed along from 4 out, moderate 7th from next, no impression in moderate 6th and kept on same pace from before straight,, 6th of 12, 13l behind Gort An Chnoic (10-11) at Clonmel 2m 4f gd.
Minsk (IRE) 7-2 (11-12) Tracked leaders, collided with rival and hampered 1st, 5th halfway, pushed along after 3 out and slight mistake in 4th next, no extra approaching last and left moderate 3rd early run-in, 3rd of 10, 13l behind The Shepherd King (11-12) at Navan 2m beg chs in Nov.
Rogue Angel (IRE) 11-1 (11-11) Tracked leader in 2nd, mistake 6th, bad mistake 4 out and dropped to 3rd, soon ridden, dropped to 4th from 2 out, no impression, 4th of 10, 24l behind Champagne Fever (11-12) at Punchestown 2m 4f beg chs in Nov.
Civena (IRE) 20-1 (11-7) Mid-division, ridden in 6th 3 out, kept on one paced, 6th of 14, 36l behind Speckled Wood (11-7) at Wexford 2m 3f beg chs sft in Nov.
Oscar Pearl (IRE) 50-1 (11-7) Prominent and led from 2nd, mistake 7th, headed approaching straight and soon no extra, moderate 4th when slow 2 out, weakened, 6th of 15, 38l behind Backinthere (11-7) at Clonmel 2m 4f beg chs in Oct.
