led, disputed 4th, headed 5th, 3rd halfway, lost place 6 out, ridden in 7th 5 out, soon no extra and weakened, completely tailed off
soon chased leaders, 5th halfway, progress into 3rd 6 out, 2nd and closed on leader entering straight, ridden in 2nd before 2 out, no impression on leader when left in clear lead last, eased home run-in
mid-division early, towards rear halfway, ridden and no impression 5 out, weakened and completely tailed off
held up towards rear, mistake and ridden 5 out, soon no extra and weakened, unseated rider 2 out
chased leaders, slight mistake 2nd, 6th halfway, progress into 4th 5 out, ridden entering straight, no impression 3 out, 5th 2 out, left 4th last
mid-division, 7th halfway, closer in 5th 4 out, ridden entering straight, moderate 3rd and no impression before 2 out, left 2nd last and mistake, no impression on winner
soon towards rear, ridden and no impression 5 out, poor 7th 3 out when mistake, weakened and completely tailed off
chased leaders, 2nd halfway, 3rd entering straight, ridden and no impression 3 out, moderate 4th 2 out, left 3rd last
chased leader, disputed from 4th, led 5th, few lengths clear before 6 out, reduced advantage entering straight, asserted again before 2 out, fell last
chased leaders, slight mistake 6th, 4th halfway, ridden in 6th after 4 out, soon no impression
always behind, slow 2nd and soon trailing, completely tailed off from halfway, pulled up before 3 out
Winning bumper and hurdler Formidableopponent hasn't done quite so well over fences to date and has his first run since January but he should be winning soon in this sort of grade. Sizing Sahara, a maiden hurdle winner at Kilbeggan last May, hasn't been seen since a moderate run on fast ground at Wexford a year later. He's likely to do better in time while Un Beau Roman's pedigree is all about the bigger obstacles and he should come into his own this season. MIDNIGHT GAME has done nothing wrong despite three seconds to his name. He's come up against decent opposition in all starts over fences and, as he was a much better hurdler than any of these, has to be the selection.
Dr Tommy (IRE) 50-1 (11-12) Prominent when blundered 1st and almost unseated rider, came to a standstill and soon pulled up, in a race won by Nearest The Pin (11-12) at Ballinrobe 2m 1f beg chs gd in Sep, 12 ran.
Formidableopponent (IRE) 10-1 (11-12) Mid-division, ridden in 8th and no impression 4 out, kept on one pace, 6th of 14, 24l behind Some Tikket (11-12) at Gowran Park 2m 2f beg chase in Jan.
Glenteeneasaigh (IRE) 25-1 (10-1) Chased leaders, jumped right 4th, ridden after 3 out, dropped to 10th and weakened from before straight, 14th of 17, 49l behind Our Man Zebo (11-4) at Listowel 3m hcp hdl gd in Jun.
Le Feu Garde (IRE) 5-2 (12-2) Ld, jnd aftr 5th, 3rd aftr 6out, 3l 3rd aftr 4out & prog on outer bef 2out, ld bef last, good jump, so flat, won at Dromahane 3m ire ptp in Dec beating The Horsechesnut (12-2) by 1l, 10 ran.
Midnight Game 7-4fav (10-11) Tracked leader in 2nd, ridden and improved to dispute lead 2 out, headed before last, rallied to dispute lead again at last, rider dropped whip after last, no extra and headed inside final furlong, 2nd of 6, nk behind Lord Ben (11-12) at Wexford 2m 1f chs.
Raydari (FR) 25-1 (11-12) Took keen hold, soon tracked leaders, 3rd into straight, kept on same pace from after 2 out, 6th of 15, 10l behind Afatcat (11-12) at Clonmel 2m beg chase gd in Jun.
Salahoona (IRE) 100-1 (11-5) Mid-division, ridden and weakened 5 out, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Indian File (11-12) at Limerick 2m mdn hdl hvy in Dec, 18 ran.
Sizing Sahara 7-4 (11-12) Led early, headed before 1st, in front again when slight mistake 3 out, joined after next, headed approaching last where no extra in 3rd, kept on same pace, 3rd of 8, 11l behind Our Man Zebo (11-12) at Wexford 2m 4f nh nov hdl gf in Jun '13.
Un Beau Roman (FR) 14-1 (10-4) Mid-division, ridden in 9th 2 out, soon no extra, 12th of 16, 31l behind Jetson (10-5) at Punchestown 3m hcp hdl hvy in Feb.
Hurricane Ridge (IRE) 12-1 (11-8) Mid-division, ridden 3 out, no extra next, 10th of 13, 33l behind Fethard Player (11-0) at Ballinrobe 2m 4f cond hcp hdl gd in Jun.
Brite Spark (IRE) 100-1 (11-7) Prominent when fell 1st, in a race won by Our Ned (11-7) at Limerick 2m 1f beg chs gf, 10 ran.
