tracked leaders on inner, ridden in 3rd on inner entering straight, no impression on leaders in 3rd 2 out, moderate 4th at last, no extra
always behind, no impression from 3 out, never a factor
held up towards rear, slight mistake 5th, pushed along in moderate 8th 3 out, some modest progress next, kept on without threatening run-in
tracked leaders on outer, 3rd 4 out, ridden and weakened from next
mid-division, closer in 4th and ridden 3 out, soon weakened
mid-division on outer, slight mistake 3rd, 7th 3 out, soon ridden and no impression
held up in rear, no impression from 3 out, never a factor
led, jumped left and mistake 2nd, ridden and headed entering straight, no impression on winner 2 out, kept on same pace in 2nd run-in
rear of mid-division on inner, took keen hold, headway into 5th 3 out, ridden in m 4th next, moderate 3rd at last, kept on same pace run-in
tracked leader in 2nd, headway to lead travelling well entering straight, went clear 2 out, soon pushed along, stayed on well run-in, easily
Andratx completed a hat-trick in 2017 then scored on the Flat at Galway before ending the year with a second place at Downptrick. He has a long absence to overcome and has to concede weight to TRY AGAIN. Paul Flynn's charge won a Navan handicap before a fine run in a big field at Cheltenham then got back to winning ways at Leopardstown. He's capable of further progress and looks the one to be on though Eclair De Beaufeu is also going places. Gordon Elliott's five-year-old, a dual bumper winner in France, had been running consistently before landing a Limerick maiden and there looks plenty more to come. His stable companion Stooshie hasn't been doing much wrong in tough handicaps and is likely to be thereabouts again while Gowran novice winner Inca Gold lost a shoe when pulled up at Limerick so that run should be ignored. Oscars Den bounced back to form when beaten a short-head over the course and distance on New Year's Day so is another to consider in an open contest.
Stooshie (IRE) 7-1 (11-8) Tracked leaders on inner, ridden in 3rd 2 out, moderate 3rd at last, no extra inside final furlong, 4th of 13, 5 1/4l behind Blast Of Koeman (10-12) at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp gd in Dec.
Andratx (IRE) 7-4fav (10-9) Chased leaders, forced left at 2nd, 3rd after 4 out, went 2nd from 2 out and soon pushed along, ridden before last and kept on well run-in without reaching winner, 2nd of 6, 1l behind Westland Row (11-1) at Downpatrick 2m 3f gd in Aug.
Exactoris (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, 5th at 4th, lost place at 8th, mistake 4 out and dropped to rear, weakened and detached, pulled up before 2 out, at Kilbeggan 3m 1f hcp gd in Jun.
Capital Force (IRE) 12-1 (10-9) Chased leaders, 7th approaching halfway, soon headway, one pace from before last, 12th of 17, 15 1/2l behind Jetez (10-12) at Leopardstown 2m hcp Good - Yielding in Dec.
Inca Gold (IRE) 7-1 (11-7) Chased leader in 2nd, not fluent 1st and soon dropped to 3rd, dropped to rear from 6th and detached from 5 out, pulled up before 3 out, at Limerick 2m 4f Soft - Heavy in Dec.
Or Jaune De Somoza (FR) 9-1 (11-0) Held up in last early, disputed 3rd from 5th, ridden in moderate 4th when left 3rd 3 out, no impression on leaders, 3rd of 5, dist behind Hardline (11-0) at Navan 2m 1f (1) Yielding in Dec.
King's Song (FR) 12-1 (11-8) Held up, pushed along after 5th, well beaten 3 out, 6th of 7, 30 1/2l behind Rightdownthemiddle (11-4) at Leicester 2m 4f (5) gf in Dec.
Oscars Den (IRE) 9-2 (11-7) Tracked leader in 2nd, disputed 2nd from halfway, 3rd entering straight, went 2nd 2 out, ridden to lead at last, joined inside final furlong, stayed on well, headed near line, 2nd of 5, shd behind Clementina (11-1) at Fairyhouse 2m hcp gd in Jan.
Try Again (IRE) 8-1 (10-11) Waited with, 13th approaching halfway, closed from before 3 out, on terms from 2 out, soon led, stayed on well to assert run-in, won at Leopardstown 2m hcp Good - Yielding in Dec beating Share The Honour (10-4) by 3l, 15 ran.
Eclair De Beaufeu (FR) 5-2 (11-7) Tracked leaders, 2nd halfway, improved to lead entering straight, ridden and headed narrowly approaching last, rallied run-in, regained lead inside final furlong, stayed on well close home, won at Limerick 2m mdn sft in Dec beating Envious Editor (11-2) by 1l, 18 ran.
