chased leaders, 3rd halfway, progress into 2nd 2 out, ridden entering straight, stayed on to challenge before last, disputed and slight mistake last, under pressure in 2nd run-in, kept on well close home, just failed
settled mid-division, closer in 4th 4 out, ridden and no extra before 2 out, weakened
mid-division early and ran freely, chased leaders from 2nd, 4th halfway, dropped to rear and slight mistake 5th, soon weakened, pulled up after 2 out
held up, 6th halfway, bad mistake 3 out and unseated rider
led and pressed, ridden and headed before 2 out, soon no extra and weakened
held up in rear, slight mistake 3 out, soon no extra and weakened, completely tailed off
close up and pressed leader, led before 2 out, ridden and pressed before last, joined briefly last, advantage again after last, kept on under pressure run-in, all out close home, just held on
Licklighter is suited by this trip and good ground and will have found 2m on sticky going against him at Galway in October though still managed to finish runner-up. Dommage Pour Toi found 2m much too short at Down Royal but was staying on at the finish while winning point-to-pointer Timber House will be much more at home over this longer trip after a recent run over the minimum at Punchestown. Dual bumper winner THE RED MENACE is gradually improving over hurdles and his latest run in a strong maiden at Punchestown suggested he should be up to winning this so looks the one to be on.
Dommage Pour Toi (FR) 40-1 (11-4) Held up in mid-division, progress in 9th entering straight, ridden into moderate 5th before last, stayed on into moderate 3rd closing stages of run-in, 3rd of 18, 26 3/4l behind Curious Times (11-4) at Down Royal 2m 1f mdn Yielding in Jan.
Licklighter (IRE) 5-1 (11-8) Led, joined 2 out, heaaded approaching straight, soon no impression, one pace, 2nd of 14, 10l behind Felix Desjy (11-10) at Galway 2m mdn Yielding in Oct.
Rainbow Pride (IRE) 100-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, 6th 4 out, soon pushed along and no extra after next, weakened, tailed off, 24th of 25, dist behind Advantage Point (11-12) at Naas 2m mdn gd in Feb.
Rio Gold (IRE) 100-1 (11-12) Always towards rear, never a factor, no threat in straight, kept on one pace, 13th of 18, dist behind Milan Native (11-12) at Navan 2m mdn Yielding in Feb.
Timber House (IRE) 4-1 (11-4) Led and pressed, narrowly headed 3 out, soon ridden, under pressure in 3rd entering straight, no extra before last, 5th of 18, 18 1/4l behind Allez Dance (10-10) at Punchestown 2m mdn Good - Yielding in Feb.
Da Vinci Rock (FR) Diamond Boy gelding out of La Nicoise.
The Red Menace (IRE) 7-1 (11-9) Prominent, soon 2nd, challenged between horses before straight, soon no impression, 3rd and kept on same pace run-in, 3rd of 15, 10 1/2l behind Dallas Des Pictons (11-12) at Punchestown 2m 4f mdn gd in Jan.
