The heavier the ground the better for Sole Witness, who ploughed through the Down Royal mud to land a handicap three weeks ago for which a 6lb rise doesn't appear excessive. Arklow Ger had been racing over much further before dropping back to this trip at Leopardstown and running his best race for some time. That was over fences and he's well handicapped back over timber. MIGHT BE MAGIC was having only his sixth start over timber when beating Benash at Fairyhouse on New Year's Day. The runner-up was conceding lumps of weight but has won very easily since and the form looks strong enough for this. The front-running Sounds Of Jupiter may be vulnerable to a finisher on this ground.
Anothercoppercoast (IRE) 16-1 (10-10) Held up in rear, progress 4 out, 4th approaching 2 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace, 4th of 10, 10l behind Askanna (10-4) at Punchestown 2m 6f hdl in Nov.
Sounds of Jupiter (IRE) 11-4 (10-12) Attempted to make all, jumped well, ridden and headed before 2 out, soon no impression on winner, 2nd of 3, 8l behind Rory Anna (10-9) at Limerick 2m 4yo hdl in Dec.
Might Be Magic 7-1 (9-13) Always prominent, 2nd halfway, challenged early straight, ridden to lead between final two flights, strongly pressed last, kept on best under pressure run-in to assert closing stages, won at Fairyhouse 2m hcp hdl 8Evens30 beating Benash (11-1) by 2l, 9 ran.
Quiet Thought (IRE) 20-1 (10-13) Held up in touch, close 8th 3 out, ridden and no impression from next, 8th of 9, 13l behind Our Girl Salley (11-3) at Leopardstown 2m 4f mrs lst hdl hvy in Dec.
Are You The One (IRE) 25-1 (11-7) Towards rear for most, no impression from before 2 out, 12th of 18, well behind Gimli's Rock (11-7) at Punchestown 2m 4yo hdl gd in Apr.
Miss Fancy Pants 6-1 (11-5) Mid-division on outer, 7th 3 out, soon driven along, weakened approaching 2 out, 9th of 11, 46l behind Ned Of The Hill (11-2) at Leopardstown 2m 2f hcp hdl 8Evens16 sft in Dec.
Sole Witness (IRE) 15-2 (11-7) Mid-division, headway into 5th 3 out, ridden to challenge in 2nd 2 out, soon led, kept on well from before last, won at Down Royal 2m cond hcp hdl 80-102 hvy in Dec beating Chino Valdes (10-11) by 3/4l, 18 ran.
The Last Stand 14-1 (11-9) Chased leaders early, soon dropped towards rear, completely tailed off, last of 12, well behind Lucky Spring (11-1) at Navan 2m hcp hdl 80-109 sft in Dec.
The Sneezer (IRE) 14-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, headway into 2nd before 4 out, ridden in 3rd 3 out, soon no extra, kept on one pace, 4th of 10, 31l behind Tullintain (11-2) at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp chs 0-116 hvy.
Arklow Ger (IRE) 16-1 (10-0) Led, strongly pressed from 3 out, headed before last, 3rd early run-in, kept on same pace under pressure, 2nd of 10, 6l behind Askthemaster (10-4) at Leopardstown 2m 1f hcp chs 0-140 sft in Dec.
Asiya (IRE) 11-8fav (10-11) Mid-division, moderate 8th halfway, some progress into moderate 6th 3 out, no impression from before next, 5th of 15, 12l behind Three Monkeys (10-13) at Tramore 2m Mares Maiden Hurdle (4-5yo) in Dec.
Ghareer (IRE) 16-1 (10-9) Mid-division, 7th approaching 5th, no danger and kept on same pace without threatening from after 3 out, 6th of 12, 14l behind Jacks Island (9-10) at Clonmel 2m hcp hdl 80-109 in Nov.
