chased leaders early, mid-division halfway, ridden and no impression before 3 out
chased leader, moderate 2nd halfway, closer before 3 out, ridden entering straight, no extra before last
chased leaders, moderate 3rd halfway, slight mistake 5th, ridden and no extra 4 out, pulled up before 2 out
held up towards rear, progress into 6th before 3 out, ridden in 5th entering straight, stayed on into 3rd 2 out, soon 2nd, led after last, strongly pressed run-in and headed close home
chased leaders, moderate 5th halfway, closer in 3rd before 3 out, ridden and hampered by loose horse entering straight, under pressure in 4th 2 out, no impression from last, kept on same pace
towards rear, progress into 5th before 3 out, ridden and mistake 3 out, soon no extra and weakened, eased run-in and completely tailed off
chased leaders, moderate 5th halfway, closer in 4th before 3 out, ridden entering straight, stayed on into 3rd last, kept on well run-in to challenge and led close home
held up towards rear, progress before 3 out, ridden into 6th entering straight, kept on same pace from 2 out
held up, fell 1st
mid-division best, ridden and no extra before 3 out, weakened and pulled up before 2 out
led and soon clear, reduced advantage before 3 out, ridden after 2 out, headed after last, kept on under pressure run-in, no extra closing stages
chased leaders, moderate 6th halfway, ridden and no impression before 3 out, weakened, eased run-in and completely tailed off
It's very rare to see a four-year-old in a handicap at this time of the year but Gordon Elliott must believe that HIGH EXPECTATIONS is still well treated, despite a 5lb rise for his victory at Naas, and with David Mullins' claim again coming into play he can complete a double. Dick Dundee has won three times over fences but is much better handicapped over hurdles and should prove a threat but Railway Tommy improved when stepped up to 2m4f at Limerick. Maguires Glen is another who is suited by further as both of his victories have been gained over 2m4f and all of his recent runs have been over that trip. Kashline is better known as a chaser these days and is yet another who could find this on the short side.
Clonbanan Lad (IRE) 18-1 (11-3) Rear of mid-division, 8th halfway, ridden and no impression before 2 out, kept on one pace, 6th of 11, 24l behind Sort It Out (10-5) at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp hdl sft in Dec.
Daliyan (IRE) 8-1 (11-3) Chased leaders, slight mistake 2nd, 5th halfway, bumped 3 out, ridden and no extra before 2 out, 8th of 12, 23l behind Maxim Gorky (11-1) at Galway 2m hcp hdl gd in Aug.
Kashline (IRE) 14-1 (9-13) Chased leader, 4th halfway, closer 4 out, challenged before 2 out, ridden and no extra early straight, weakened, 17th of 21, 27l behind Usuel Smurfer (10-8) at Leopardstown 3m hcp hdl sft in Dec.
Maguire's Glen (IRE) 9-2 (10-5) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, progress to dispute 3 out, ridden in 2nd entering straight, stayed on to lead before last, headed run-in and no extra, 4th of 11, 4 1/2l behind Sort It Out (10-5) at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp hdl sft in Dec.
Railway Tommy (IRE) 7-1 (10-12) Mid-division, moderate 8th at 6th, not fluent next and 3 out, improved to challenge 2 out, soon on terms, not fluent last, soon headed and one pace, 2nd of 13, 1 1/4l behind Rue Hill (9-6) at Limerick 2m 4f hcp hdl hvy in Dec.
College Boy (IRE) 16-1 (10-13) Held up in rear, off pace in last halfway, progress into 7th and ridden entering straight, soon no impression, 6th of 12, 20l behind Frontline (11-0) at Fairyhouse 2m hcp hdl sft.
Dick Dundee 20-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, not fluent 4th, 6th from 4 out, moderate 4th into straight, one pace from before last, 4th of 12, 17l behind Forty Foot Tom (9-12) at Leopardstown 2m 1f hcp chs sft in Dec.
Oscar Chimes (IRE) 20-1 (11-8) Raced 4th, mid-division at 2nd, dropped towards rear 4th, reminder in rear after 5th, headway into mid-division after 4 out, driven in 5th after 2 out, kept on same pace, 5th of 8, 10l behind Just Get Cracking (11-5) at Tramore 2m hcp hdl 80-109 sft.
High Expectations (FR) 11-2 (10-7) Mid-division on inner, progress into 5th travelling well 2 out, ridden and improved it lead on inner after last, strongly pressed inside final furlong, stayed on well close home, won at Naas 2m cond hcap hdle sft beating Good As Gold (10-12) by 1/2l, 11 ran.
Keith's Delight (IRE) 16-1 (10-3) Mid-division, ridden and no impression from before 3 out, never a factor, last of 12, well behind Frontline (11-0) at Fairyhouse 2m hcp hdl sft.
Decade Player (IRE) 16-1 (10-8) Held up, moderate 10th at 3rd, took keen hold and progres after 5th, soon prominent, led after 6th, headed before 2 out where 3rd, soon no extra, 6th of 12, 41l behind Blackandamber Vic (9-12) at Fairyhouse 2m hcp hdl 80-109 sft in Dec.
Blackandamber Vic (IRE) 9-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, improved to dispute lead briefly 3 out, soon ridden and headed, no impression from 2 out, 6th of 17, 13l behind Might Be Magic (11-1) at Fairyhouse 2m hcp hdl 80-109.
