tracked leaders in 4th, ridden in 5th entering straight, dropped to 7th and mistake 2 out, no impression
tracked leaders in 3rd, slight mistake 4th, ridden in 5th 2 out, no impression
made all, ridden after 2 out, strongly pressed inside final furlong, stayed on well close home
tracked leaders in 4th early, slow jump at 2nd and dropped to mid-division, slow again at 3rd and soon off pace in rear, never involved thereafter, pulled up before 3 out
mid-division, headway into 4th on outer 3 out, 2nd travelling well 2 out, ridden before last, dropped to 3rd after last, 4th inside final furlong, no extra
tracked leader in 2nd, ridden in 3rd 2 out, dropped to 5th at last, no impression
in rear, not fluent at 1st and briefly pushed along, 8th 3 out, headway into 4th and ridden 2 out, went 2nd after last, strongly pressed winner inside final furlong, kept on same pace close home
in rear, slight mistake 5th, ridden 7th, trailing 3 out, tailed off when refused 2 out
tracked leaders, ridden briefly at 8th, ridden in moderate 7th when mistake 3 out, soon no impression, pulled up before last
rear of mid-division, closer in 6th 3 out, ridden in 6th 2 out, 4th at last, went 3rd inside final furlong, kept on without threatening
Unexcepted has been keeping very strong company since scoring at Tipperary last October though this looks a tough ask. Epson Du Houx completed a double in testing conditions last winter and there was plenty of give when he won at Cork a fortnight ago so more rain would greatly aid his cause. Poseidon landed a Grade B handicap on the latter track in very good style from today's rival Grange Walk and a 6lb rise may not be enough to prevent a double though the vote goes to BUDDY RICH. Gordon Elliott's charge had faced some strong opposition before beating the useful Ballyadam at Navan and doesn't look badly treated on 138.
Unexcepted (FR) 11-4fav (11-1) Rear, mistake at 1st, slightly detached after 3rd, closed up on field at 7th, 6th after 7th, progress before 4 out, under pressure before 3 out, weakened 2 out, pulled up before last, at Killarney 2m 4f (1) Good - Yielding in May.
Paloma Blue (IRE) 11-1 (11-2) Chased leader, progress before 2nd, 4th after 7th, slight mistake at 8th, under pressure and lost place before 3 out, ridden and weakened after 3 out, 7th of 8, dist behind Darasso (11-2) at Killarney 2m 4f Good - Yielding in May.
Dunvegan (FR) 9-1 (8-6) Held up towards rear, headway entering straight, ridden and no impression in 7th 2f out, 4th 1f out, 3rd final 100 yards and stayed on well close home, nearest finish, 3rd of 18, 1 3/4l behind Yaxeni (9-12) at Naas 2m hcp hvy in Oct.
Poseidon (IRE) 7-2 (10-9) Rear of mid-division, 5th after 6th, travelled well in 4th after 4 out, on terms 3 out, soon led, strongly pressed 2 out, asserted before last where not fluent, driven out, won at Cork 2m 2f hcp gd in Oct beating Grange Walk (10-3) by 3 1/2l, 10 ran.
Buddy Rich (IRE) 5-1 (12-0) Tracked leaders, pushed along in 4th 3 out, ridden in close 3rd when left 2nd 2 out, improved to lead before last, stayed on well run-in, won at Navan 2m 1f gd in Nov beating Ballyadam (12-0) by 4l, 10 ran.
January Jets (IRE) 6-5fav (11-7) Tracked leader, slight mistake at 4th, 4th at 5th, 5th at 6th, progress after 8th, 3rd before 4 out, left 2nd after 4 out, no impression on leader 3 out, soon ridden, one paced before last, 2nd of 6, 15l behind Vado Forte (11-4) at Limerick 2m 3f sft in Oct.
Grange Walk (IRE) 66-1 (11-6) Always towards rear, 5th 4 out, pushed along and no impression after 3 out, ridden and no extra in straight, 5th of 6, 36 1/2l behind Riviere D'etel (10-5) at Punchestown 2m 1f (1) Yielding in Nov.
Jack Hackett (IRE) 11-2 (11-10) Mid-division, pushed along in 6th from halfway, went 3rd from 3 out and ridden after next, dropped to 4th before last where not fluent and soon no extra, 4th of 12, 10l behind Definite Soldier (10-6) at Kilbeggan 2m 4f hcp Yielding in Aug.
One Down (IRE) 16-5fav (10-4) Close up, 2nd after 6th, led after 8th, joined 3 out, soon headed and weakened, 8th of 10, 27 3/4l behind Poseidon (10-9) at Cork 2m 2f hcp gd in Oct.
Benefit Run (IRE) 10-1 (11-10) Mid-division, headway into 5th 3 out, went 2nd entering straight, ridden in close 2nd at last, no extra inside final furlong, 4th of 13, 6 3/4l behind All The Chimneys (11-4) at Thurles 2m 2f hcp Good - Yielding in Nov.
Epson Du Houx (FR) 7-1 (11-10) Close up, disputed before 5th, led before 6th, pressed 3 out, ridden before last, kept on well run-in close up, disputed before 5th, led before 6th, pressed 3 out, ridden before last, kept on well run-in, won at Cork 2m 1f hcp sft in Nov beating Golden Jewel (9-12) by 4l, 8 ran.
Vado Forte (FR) 6-1 (11-7) Raced in 4th, not fluent 1st and 6th, closer in 3rd from 3 out, ridden before next and weakened to 5th, soon no extra, 5th of 6, dist behind Envoi Allen (12-0) at Down Royal 2m 4f (1) sft in Oct.
