soon led and disputed, untidy at 5th, strongly pressed and headed after 2 out, dropped to 3rd and no extra last, kept on same pace
tracked leaders, improved travelling well to lead after 2 out, mistake last, soon pressed, stayed on best run-in to soon assert
led and disputed, bad mistake and headed 4th, tracked leaders after, ridden into 2nd at last, soon no impression on winner and kept on same pace
close up and disputed lead, pushed along into straight, no impression from 2 out, no extra and kept on same pace in 4th from before last
raced last of the 5 throughout, ridden from 3 out, no impression from before straight, soon trailing
WAAHEB lost his unbeaten record by a short-head in the Champion Bumper at Punchestown. He reappeared with a smooth debut success over timber before performing very well when runner-up to the classy Jezki in the Future Champions at Leopardstown where a mistake put paid to his chances. An early faller back there earlier this month, he'll need to stay upright against a couple of smart prospects but his overall form should be good enough. Midnight Oil was beaten a very long way by Jezki here in December but looked an improved performer when easily landing a Cork maiden and will ensure the selection doesn't get an easy ride. Art Of Logistics got bogged down in the very heavy ground at Naas last month and finished very weary. He'll appreciate this slightly better going but has plenty to find. Becauseicouldntsee is a chaser with a Grand National entry and Famous Last Words looks outclassed.
Waaheb (USA) 11-4 (11-10) Towards rear when fell 2nd, in a race won by Champagne Fever (11-10) at Leopardstown 2m 2f nov hdl G2 (1) sft, 8 ran.
Art Of Logistics (IRE) 12-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders in 3rd, ridden early straight and no chance with easy winner from 2 out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 6, 34l behind Un Atout (11-7) at Naas 2m nh nov hdl hvy in Jan.
Midnight Oil Evensfav (11-10) Always prominent, a bit slow 6 out, on terms approaching straight, in front 3 out, in command last, stayed on well run-in, won at Cork 2m mdn hdl in Jan beating Lughnasa (11-5) by 3 1/2l, 17 ran.
Becauseicouldntsee (IRE) 33-1 (11-7) Chased leaders early, weakened to rear before 8th, pulled up after 9th, in a race won by Colbert Station (10-11) at Leopardstown 3m hcp chs 0-145 sft in Dec, 28 ran.
Famous Last Words (IRE) 25-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, 2nd halfway, weakened over 6f out, completely tailed off, 14th of 15, well behind Mullaghanoe River (11-10) at Leopardstown 2m 4f N H flat sft in Dec.
