prominent, soon 2nd, on terms before 4th, soon led, went on straight, pushed out and stayed on well run-in, easily
tracked leaders in 3rd, fell 5th
led, raced towards outer, joined before 4th, soon headed and raced in 2nd, slight mistake 5 out, not go with winner when mistake 2 out, slight mistake last, no impression and kept on same pace run-in
held up, moderate 5th at 2nd, moderate 4th at 3rd, left 3rd at 5th, no extra and one pace from before last
in rear, progress and left moderate 4th at 5th, slight mistake 4 out, no extra and one pace from next
chased leaders, soon moderate 4th, lost place 4th, no danger and kept on same pace from before 4 out
chased leaders, moderate 5th early, moderate 6th at 2nd, pushed along in rear after 4th, no danger from before 4 out, completely tailed off
towards rear, bad mistake and unseated rider 1st
soon raced in moderate 7th, slight mistake 2nd, moderate 5th approaching 4 out, soon pushed along and no impression, one pace
DICOSIMO was never the best jumper over hurdles and made a poor start in his first two runs over fences. He did very much better to chase home Don't Touch It in a similar contest to this at Thurles and that should have restored his confidence enough to take this. Blackmail, a winning bumper and hurdler, was well beaten on his opening run over fences but did better at Leopardstown last time though is likely to be suited by further. His stable companion Pyromaniac, a useful performer on the Flat and over hurdles, makes his debut over the bigger obstacles and is a half-brother to a winning chaser so there's every chance of him doing well in his new career. Alamein has always looked an embryonic chaser and is definitely one to keep an eye on.
Alamein (IRE) 11-1 (10-10) Raced in 7th early, closer in 3rd and pushed along approaching straight, no impression and slight mistake last, one pace, 7th of 13, 8 1/4l behind Grand Partner (10-12) at Leopardstown 2m hcp sft in Feb.
Blackmail (FR) 25-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, closer in 4th entering straight, ridden before last, no impression in 5th run-in, kept on same pace, 5th of 11, 7 1/2l behind Bleu Et Rouge (11-12) at Leopardstown 2m 3f Yielding in Dec.
Dicosimo (FR) 6-1 (11-12) Disputed lead early, slight mistakes 1st and 3rd, soon raced in 2nd, on terms from before 3 out, headed but still close up next, no impression and kept on same pace from last, 2nd of 16, 3l behind Don't Touch It (11-12) at Thurles 2m sft in Feb.
Pyromaniac (IRE) 25-1 (11-1) Held up in mid-division, headway chasing leaders after 3 out, plugged on, 6th of 19, 12 1/4l behind Brain Power (11-11) at Ascot 2m hcp (1) gs in Dec.
Slemish (IRE) 11-4 (11-3) Tracked leaders early, towards rear when slow jump 5th, soon last and not a factor after, tailed off, 7th of 8, dist behind Catalaunian Fields (11-3) at Tramore 2m Soft - Heavy in Jan.
Suas Sios (IRE) 7-2 (11-11) Ld til disp 6th, cls 3rd 3out & chs ldr 2out, impr to ld last, sow all out, won at Oldtown 3m mdn Yielding in Feb beating Jammin Masters (11-11) by hd, 7 ran.
The Drunken Dr (IRE) 50-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, 9th from 5th and pushed along, slightly impeded 6th, reminders 7th, no impression 9th, weakened, completely tailed off, 9th of 12, dist behind Clontarf (11-12) at Fairyhouse 2m 5f sft in Jan.
Rancher Lass (IRE) 50-1 (11-7) 7th at 4th, headway 10th, slight mistake next, under pressure 4 out, no impression approaching straight, slight mistake 2 out, 7th of 10, dist behind Retour En France (11-7) at Fairyhouse 2m 5f Soft - Heavy in Feb.
Routes Choice (IRE) 66-1 (11-5) Held up, not fluent 4th where moderate 11th, no impression and kept on same pace from 3 out, 7th of 16, dist behind Don't Touch It (11-12) at Thurles 2m sft in Feb.
