tracked leaders, slight mistake 5th, bad mistake next, on terms 8th, led 3 out, joined next, soon headed, no extra last, kept on same pace run-in
soon disputed lead, not fluent 2nd, 2nd approaching 7th, lost place from 5 out, weakened and eased from 4 out, pulled up before 3 out
tracked leaders, not fluent 7th, dropped to moderate 4th and pushed along after 4 out, soon weakened, tailed off
towards rear, closer in 7th after 5 out, pushed along in moderate 6th after 4 out, soon no extra
soon chased leaders, improved to lead approaching straight, headed 3 out, no extra in 3rd when jumped left 2 out
soon disputed lead, not fluent 5 out, renewed effort from 3 out, on terms next, soon led, clear last, stayed on well run-in, comfortably
tracked leaders, lost place 8th, soon no danger, behind in 7th when fell last
towards rear, dropped to last quickly 7 out, very slow jump next and pulled up
towards rear, slight mistake 4th, improved 9th, pushed along in moderate 5th after 4 out, soon no extra
ABBEY LANE, who beat some useful rivals when landing the boylesports Hurdle at Leopardstown last January, should be up to gaining his first success over fences. A faller on his chasing debut, he came up against a useful winner in Moscow Mannon on his second start at Naas and with that experience behind him can take this before heading for better things. Operating's close fourth to Foxrock at Fairyhouse in November has been given a boost by the winner and he must be a threat as though he was beaten when falling at Leopardstown last time that was a very tough handicap. Toon River has had more experience than most of these over fences but hasn't progressed as expected while winning bumper and hurdler Ballysteen has yet to take to the bigger obstacles.
Abbey Lane (IRE) 9-10fav (11-12) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, progress into 3rd before 4 out, closed entering straight, 2nd 2 out, soon ridden, no impression on winner from last, kept on same pace, 2nd of 16, 15l behind Moscow Mannon (11-12) at Naas 2m beg chase in Feb.
Ballysteen (IRE) 16-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, 3rd at 8th, ridden and no impression leaders before 2 out, kept on one pace, mistake last, lost 3rd close home, 4th of 11, 39l behind Mullaghanoe River (11-12) at Punchestown 2m 4f beg chase in Jan.
Bar Stool Bob (IRE) 25-1 (11-12) Mid-division, 5th halfway, ridden and no impression 3 out, 5th of 16, well behind Moscow Mannon (11-12) at Naas 2m beg chase in Feb.
Glenwood For Ever (IRE) 66-1 (11-11) Always towards rear, never a factor, 8th of 12, well behind My Murphy (11-12) at Fairyhouse 3m beg chs sft in Dec.
Operating (IRE) 16-1 (10-6) Chased leaders, 7th halfway, weakened before 2 out where fell, in a race won by He'llberemembered (10-4) at Leopardstown 2m 5f hcp chs sft in Jan, 21 ran.
Toon River (IRE) 20-1 (9-11) Towards rear, mistake 6th, some progress after halfway, pushed along and no impression approaching 2 out, no extra, 16th of 21, well behind Courage (10-1) at Leopardstown 3m hcp hdl sft in Dec.
Whiskey And Rye (IRE) 16-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, jumped right 1st, 7th halfway, slight mistake 4 out, soon no extra, towards rear when mistake last, 11th of 15, well behind Leavethelighton (11-9) at Gowran Park 2m 2f beg chase hvy in Feb.
All The Way Home (IRE) 12-1 (11-7) Towards rear, no impression before 5 out, ridden into poor 7th entering straight, never a factor, 6th of 15, well behind Way Up In The Air (11-7) at Thurles 2m 2f mrs beg chs hvy in Feb.
Ellaway Rose (IRE) 33-1 (11-7) Always towards rear, never a factor, slight mistake 3rd, no extra after 5 out, 8th of 12, well behind Milestone Miss (11-0) at Thurles 2m 6f mrs beg chs sft in Jan.
