tracked leaders, slight mistake 2nd, 4th halfway, pushed along 3 out, soon ridden and no impression next, no extra
tracked leaders, 5th halfway, pushed along and some headway in 3rd 3 out, progress to challenge at last and soon led, kept on well run-in
mid-division, dropped to rear and pushed along after 4 out, soon no extra
led, headed 6th and led again after next, pushed along and slight mistake 2 out, ridden approaching last and headed run-in, no impression on winner closing stages
rear of mid-division, no impression after 4 out and no threat in straight, no extra
towards rear, some headway after 4 out, 5th and slight mistake next, pushed along and no impression after 2 out, no extra
tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, lost place 4 out, detached early straight and pulled up before 2 out
tracked leader, jumped left 2nd and 5th, 2nd halfway, 4th 4 out, pushed along and dropped to 6th before next, no impression approaching last, kept on one pace to go moderate 3rd close home
towards rear, headway 5th and led next, headed after 4 out and 2nd early straight, soon ridden, 3rd and no impression when slight mistake last and rider lost irons, no extra
The Long Mile is the only one of these arriving in top form having scored at Naas in December before a good effort when stepped up to 2m5f at Fairyhouse. However, that victory was achieved by less than a length over CONRIGHT BOY, who 9lb better off and should turn the tables. He wasn't right when pulled up when tackling hurdles at Fairyhouse next time and has hopefully recovered. Alfie's Choice, three times a hurdles winner in the UK, has shown nothing in three starts over fences but Fivecardstud showed his first sign of form at Down Royal and wouldn't need to improve much to take a hand. Royal Reve makes his handicap debut from a lowly mark but has been beaten a long way in his three starts over fences.
Alfie's Choice (IRE) 50-1 (11-12) Waited with, 7th from 4th, pushed along briefly from 9th, under pressure from next and no danger, 8th of 9, dist behind Allaho (11-12) at Fairyhouse 2m 5f Yielding - Soft in Jan.
The Long Mile 10-3 (11-3) Mid-division, 7th halfway, mistake 8th and reminder, slow next, headway 5 out, pushed along and went 2nd 2 out, ridden and no impression on easy winner before last, kept on one pace, 2nd of 9, 2 1/2l behind At The Acorn (11-6) at Fairyhouse 2m 5f sft in Jan.
Arverne (FR) 28-1 (11-7) Waited with, slight mistake 3rd, moderate 14th at 4th, never a factor, 14th of 16, dist behind Mitchouka (11-12) at Thurles 2m Good - Yielding in Feb.
Conright Boy (IRE) 4-1jfav (11-3) Always behind, under pressure from 2nd, weakened before 4th, pulled up before 5th, at Fairyhouse 2m hcp Yielding in Jan.
Rock On Aussie (IRE) 20-1 (11-9) Held up towards rear, progress into 8th 6 out, ridden in 6th entering straight, weakened, pulled up before last, at Navan 3m hcp Soft - Heavy in Jan.
Weihnachts (IRE) 50-1 (11-12) Always behind, slight mistake 2nd, trailing 10th, pulled up before 3 out, at Tramore 2m 6f Soft - Heavy in Oct.
Fivecardstud (IRE) 14-1 (11-8) Chased leaders, 2nd halfway, close up 4 out, led after 3 out, ridden and pressed 2 out, joined last, headed run-in and no extra closing stages, 4th of 15, 7 3/4l behind Golden Sunset (11-12) at Down Royal 2m 4f hcp sft in Jan.
Royal Reve (FR) 100-1 (11-12) Rear of mid-division, no impression when mistake and jumped left 4 out, trailing when jumped badly left next, 5th of 9, dist behind Smoking Gun (11-12) at Punchestown 3m 1f Yielding in Dec.
Cluan Dara (IRE) 11-2 (10-5) Disputed lead, led from 4th, joined 6th, headed approaching 3 out, soon no extra, 5th of 10, 30 3/4l behind Flamingo's Court (11-1) at Thurles 2m hcp Good - Yielding in Feb.
