waited with towards rear, pushed along after 3 out, under pressure approaching straight, no impression approaching 2 out where not fluent, no extra
chased leaders, effort straight, kept on same pace from after 2 out
waited with towards rear, closed up approaching 3 out where slight mistake, travelling smoothly straight, chased leaders and one pace 2 out
prominent, on terms approaching straight, headed before 2 out, soon no extra
led, slight mistake 6th, pushed along approaching straight, soon joined and headed, weakened from before 2 out where not fluent
not fluent 1st, chased leaders, lost position and pushed along after 6th, kept on same pace without threatening straight
chased leaders, closed and on terms before straight travelling smoothly, narrowly headed after 2 out, on terms again before last where mistake, soon headed and rider without irons, one pace
prominent, pulled up quickly soon after 6th
chased leaders, closed and on terms before straight travelling smoothly, headed between last 2, soon no extra in 4th and one pace
waited with, soon rear of mid-division, closed up travelling smoothly straight, on terms 2 out, soon gained narrow lead, joined from before last, soon headed and no extra in 3rd, one pace
chased leaders, pushed along 3 out, no impression before 2 out, soon no extra
waited with towards rear, slightly impeded soon after 6th, not much room on inner after 3 out, one pace next
soon mid-division, closed and on terms before straight travelling smoothly, narrowly headed after 2 out, on terms again before last where slight mistake, led run-in, quickly asserted and stayed on well
Nobody Home made all for a facile victory in this a year ago and though hardly consistent is back on the same mark so don't be surprised by another big run. JUKEBOX JIVE has only had two runs over hurdles, scoring at Fontwell two years ago, but he arrives with a victory over 1m6f on heavy ground at Naas under his belt and a mark of 124 looks lenient. Pivotal Flame gained a shock victory in a 2m6f handicap at Ballinrobe but proved it was no fluke when runner-up over the same trip at Galway from 8lb higher. She looks certain to go well as does Lily's Gem, who was making her handicap debut when just failing to concede 12lb to Amberose at Carlisle though she's yet to prove she stays this far. Foreign Secretary will love the conditions and wasn't beaten far in a Grade 3 novices' hurdle at Navan last time.
Kasakh Noir (FR) 33-1 (11-13) Mid-division, ridden in moderate 7th 3 out, no impression, 6th of 9, dist behind Ar Eagla Na Heagla (10-0) at Down Royal 2m hcp sft in Nov.
Presented Well (IRE) 33-1 (11-8) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, pushed along after 2 out, 2nd and no impression on winner when slight mistake last, no impression run-in, 3rd of 12, 6l behind Zero Ten (12-0) at Punchestown 2m 4f Yielding in May.
Jukebox Jive (FR) 20-1 (8-5) Took keen hold early, soon mid-division, 9th approaching halfway, pushed along 4f out, improved to challenge and on terms over 1f out, led and stayed on well inside final furlong, won at Naas 1m 6f hcp hvy in Nov beating Buildmeupbuttercup (9-5) by 1 3/4l, 16 ran.
Arthur's Quay (IRE) 12-1 (10-9) In rear, bumped at 1st, headway from 4 out, pushed along in 8th on outer 3 out, soon ridden and no impression, 8th of 14, 27 1/4l behind Janidil (10-10) at Down Royal 2m hcp sft in Nov.
Nobody Home (IRE) 7-1 (11-0) Towards rear, 6th 4 out, 7th and ridden before next, weakened, pulled up before 2 out, at Down Royal 3m hcp sft in Nov.
Foreign Secretary 66-1 (10-12) Held up behind leaders disputing 4th, went 3rd at halfway, pushed along 4 out, ridden in 4th 3 out, moderate 5th next, went moderate 3rd inside final furlong, not trouble leaders, 3rd of 6, 9 1/2l behind Abacadabras (11-1) at Navan 2m (1) Soft - Heavy in Nov.
Drumacoo (IRE) 25-1 (11-8) Held up, jumped big and slight mistake 1st, progress into 4th after 3 out, ridden and no extra entering straight, weakened before last, 6th of 8, dist behind High Sparrow (11-10) at Clonmel 3m hcp sft in Oct.
Lucky Road (IRE) 13-2 (10-5) Tracked leaders, 3rd from 4th, one pace and slight mistake last, 4th of 16, 6 1/2l behind Conron (11-1) at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp Yielding in Oct.
Avellino (IRE) 6-1cfav (11-3) Held up towards rear, ridden into 6th 2 out, no extra before last, 8th of 15, 32l behind Roxboro Road (10-8) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f hcp Good - Yielding in Apr.
Pivotal Flame (IRE) 9-2 (10-5) Held up towards rear, 7th halfway, travelling well behind leaders before 2 out and went 3rd entering straight, ridden in 2nd and challenged after last, kept on but no impression when slightly hampered and switched right 100 yards out, no extra, 2nd of 12, 2 1/2l behind Gran Geste (11-3) at Galway 2m 6f hcp sft in Oct.
Ocean Voyage (IRE) 25-1 (11-2) Mid-division, 8th halfway, ridden and no impression before 3 out, kept on one pace, 7th of 14, 14l behind Something Sweet (10-1) at Thurles 2m 4f hcp Yielding - Soft in Nov.
Lily's Gem (IRE) 7-2 (11-7) In touch, closed 4th, ridden and every chance 2 out, switched left flat, driven to press winner towards finish, just held, 2nd of 6, nk behind Amberose (11-0) at Carlisle 2m 1f hcp (4) sft in Nov.
Brawler (IRE) 8-1 (10-5) Rear of mid-division, slight mistake 2nd, progress into 8th before 3 out, soon ridden and no impression, 7th of 19, 14 1/2l behind Dollys Destination (10-10) at Navan 2m hcp Soft - Heavy in Nov.
