tracked leader in 2nd, improved to dispute lead entering straight, pushed along 2 out, ridden to lead approaching last, stayed on well under pressure inside final furlong, reduced advantage close home
towards rear, pushed along 7th, weakened next, trailing when pulled up before 4 out
mid-division early, not fluent 2nd, slight mistake 3rd and dropped to rear, slow jump at 4th and mistake 5th, soon tailed off, pulled up before 7th
tracked leaders, pushed along in 4th 3 out, ridden in 3rd 2 out, no impression on leaders before last
led, mistake 4th, headed 3 out, soon ridden and weakened
tracked leaders in 3rd, bad mistake 8th, improved to led 3 out, joined entering straight, ridden and strongly pressed 2 out, headed approaching last, kept on under pressure inside final furlong, 3rd close home
towards rear, closer in 5th 3 out, soon ridden, 6th 2 out, no impression
in rear, ridden 3 out, moderate 8th next, no impression
mid-division, 6th 3 out, ridden in 5th next, went 3rd before last, kept on well run-in, 2nd close home, not reach winner
rear of mid-division, pushed along entering straight, ridden and went 4th 2 out, soon no impression on leaders, kept on one pace
Paul Rothwell's horses have been in excellent form and Clonmel winner UNION PARK (NAP) can defy a 6lb rise for what was a convincing success. He had Shakeytry behind when placed at Thurles earlier though the latter was having only his second run back after a year off and went on to an easy victory at Naas. Brideswell Lad completed a double in the summer but made mistakes before falling at Listowel. Halsafari rarely wins but his consistency means the assessor can't loosen his grip while Alice Avril hasn't fulfilled early potential.
Shakeytry (IRE) 3-1 (10-11) In touch, 3rd after 5th, closed after 3 out, challenged leader 2 out where not fluent, soon led, ridden and ran on strongly run-in, comfortably, won at Naas 2m hcp sft in Jan beating Kildorrery (11-10) by 8l, 7 ran.
Serenity Grove (IRE) 16-1 (11-12) Held up, slight mistake and dropped to rear 5 out, soon trailing, pulled up before 2 out, at Clonmel 2m 2f hcp Soft - Heavy in Dec.
Razzle Dazzle Love (IRE) 8-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, jumped left at times, not fluent at 3rd, 3rd to clear leader before 6th, closed in 2nd at 7th, dropped to 3rd and no impression before last, one paced run-in, 3rd of 9, 11 1/2l behind Malina Girl (11-0) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f hcp Yielding - Soft in Dec.
Brideswell Lad (IRE) 15-2 (12-5) Led, headed before 2nd, a little keen, led at 3rd, jumped left at 7th, not fluent at 8th and 13th, joined 3 out, led before 2 out where joined and fell, at Listowel 3m hcp Good - Yielding in Sep.
Alice Avril (FR) 17-2 (10-2) Held up towards rear, jumped right throughout, ridden and no extra 3 out, pulled up before last, at Leopardstown 2m 1f hcp Yielding in Dec.
Dont Go Yet (IRE) 25-1 (10-0) Soon tracked leaders, mistake 6 out, not fluent 3 out and soon lost place, no extra in 8th before 2 out and pulled up, at Limerick 2m 4f hcp hvy in Dec.
Halsafari (IRE) 13-2 (10-13) Mid-division, 5th halfway, headway into 2nd 4 out, travelled well and led 2 out where slight mistake, pushed along and headed last, ridden and no impression run-in, dropped to 3rd closing stages, 3rd of 8, 3 1/4l behind Weihnachts (10-3) at Cork 2m 4f hcp Soft - Heavy in Jan.
Better Times Ahead (IRE) 80-1 (11-12) Mid-division, pushed along towards rear before 4 out, no extra, tailed off, 8th of 9, dist behind Appreciate It (11-12) at Punchestown 2m sft in Dec.
Union Park (FR) 7-1 (11-3) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, improved to dispute before 2 out, ridden after 2 out, led before last, kept on well run-in, won at Clonmel 2m hcp hvy in Jan beating Bonnie Kellie (11-10) by 3 1/4l, 10 ran.
Know The Game (IRE) 9-4fav (12-0) Held up in rear, pushed along in 8th approaching straight, 7th 2 out ( usual 3 out), ridden in moderate 5th before last, no extra, 4th of 16, 31l behind Highstreetfashion (10-3) at Down Royal 2m 4f hcp sft in Dec.
