chased leaders, 5th over 2f out, no impression under pressure and kept on same pace from over 1f out
attempted to make all, headed from early straight, soon drifted left, 4th and no extra from over 1f out
waited with in 6th for much, closer in 4th over 2f out, 3rd over 1f out, led under pressure inside final furlong and stayed on well
tracked leaders, challenged under pressure and every chance in 2nd over 1f out, soon 3rd and no impression until kept on into 2nd without getting to winner closing stages
close up in 2nd for much, lost place from before straight, dropped to 6th and no extra from over 2f out
waited with towards rear and 7th of the 8 for much, no impression from over 2f out
tracked leaders, led on inner from early straight, strongly pressed from over 1f out, headed and kept on same pace inside final furlong, dropped to 3rd closing stages
raced last of the 8, ridden along over 4f out, went moderate 6th over 1f out, ran on without threatening into 4th inside final furlong
SIZING CHILE couldn't cope with Blackmail at Leopardstown last month but it was a very promising debut against a useful winner and compensation awaits. Thekingofconnemara wasn't far behind Mullanaghoe River at Leopardstown's Christmas meeting and, as the winner has gone on to score over hurdles, the form looks strong enough to give the selection something to think about. Waylander was odds-on when beaten at Tramore but found 2m too short and this is much more like his trip. Apache Jack and Pals Leg have shown promise but will need to find more.
Pals Leg (IRE) 22-1 (11-7) Rear of mid-division on inner, went 7th approaching straight and ridden in 5th 2f out, no impression final furlong and kept on one pace, 4th of 18, 9l behind Band Of Blood (11-8) at Thurles 2m N H flat hvy.
Thekingofconnemara (IRE) 4-1 (11-11) Mid-division, 7th halfway, ridden into 4th 4f out, close 3rd entering straight, no extra 2f out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 15, 5l behind Mullaghanoe River (11-10) at Leopardstown 2m 4f N H flat sft in Dec.
Apache Jack (IRE) 25-1 (11-7) Rear of mid-division, never a factor, moderate 7th approaching 2 out, went 4th before last and kept on one pace, 3rd of 12, 22l behind Talbot Road (11-7) at Leopardstown 2m 4f 4yo mdn hdl sft in Dec.
Sizing Chile (IRE) 11-4 (11-12) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, 2nd 4f out, ridden and no impression winner 2f out, kept on same pace, 2nd of 10, 3l behind Blackmail (11-12) at Leopardstown 2m N H flat in Jan.
Step One (IRE) 50-1 (10-9) Mid-division, ridden in 8th and no impression 3 out, kept on one pace, 6th of 15, 29l behind Kashline (11-1) at Punchestown 2m 6f mdn hdl hvy.
The Ramblin Kid 6-1 (11-13) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden in 4th 2f out, no impression and kept on one pace straight, 4th of 7, 13l behind Railway Tommy (11-6) at Punchestown 2m N H flat hvy.
Waylander (IRE) 4-5fav (11-11) Tracked leaders, close up from 5f out, on terms over 3f out, not getting to winner in 2nd from 1 1/2f out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 10, 8l behind Golden Plan (11-7) at Tramore 2m ldy N H flat hvy in Dec.
Limerickurmylady (IRE) 20-1 (10-8) Towards rear, progress to track leaders from 4 out, 4th 3 out, 3rd before next, 2nd and kept on same pace under pressure from last, 2nd of 15, 3 1/2l behind Madam Bovary (11-7) at Roscommon 2m 4f cond mares mdn hdl hvy in Sep '11.