Ainama bounced back to winning ways over 2m4f at Cork and needs further than this nowadays. Grey Soldier has suffered in the weights after his victory on fast ground at Bellewstown in July and New Phase ran a shocker here a month ago after beating Jered and Silver Friend at Cork. Askthemaster and Glenstal Abbey have been chasing with some success but Mutadarek, despite just one success from 22 starts over timber, has a real chance here on his recent form on this track though he's now on his highest ever mark. Binocular, not to be confused with the champion hurdler of the same name, is at the right end of the handicap but this can go to MIGHT BE MAGIC, a winner at Fairyhouse on New Year's Day and just touched off by a rejuvenated Whodoyouthink at Gowran with Sounds Of Jupiter third.
Ainama (IRE) 9-2 (11-5) Held up towards rear, headway from 4 out, progress on outer early straight, ridden to lead 2 out, kept on well from last, won at Cork 2m 4f hcp hdl sft in Nov beating Big Game Hunter (10-2) by 2l, 9 ran.
Grey Soldier (IRE) 11-2 (11-4) Tracked leaders, 4th 3 out, soon ridden, no impression straight, 4th of 6, 16l behind Donnas Palm (11-10) at Tipperary 2m hdl G2 (1) in Oct.
New Phase (IRE) 14-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, 6th halfway, no extra approaching 2 out, weakened, eased when beaten in straight, tailed off, 22nd of 26, well behind Final Approach (10-9) at Leopardstown 2m hcp hdl 0-145 sft in Jan.
Lucky William (IRE) 9-1 (10-13) Tracked leaders, 6th halfway, progress into 3rd 4 out, 2nd after 3 out, led narrowly entering straight, headed 2 out, no extra before last, 6th of 9, 7l behind Shinrock Paddy (11-10) at Naas 2m 3f hdl Gr3 (1) in Jan.
Glenstal Abbey (IRE) 15-8fav (11-5) Tracked leaders, 3rd 3 out, soon ridden, kept on one paced straight, 3rd of 6, 11l behind Beau Michael (11-5) at Tipperary 2m 4f nov chs (1) in Oct.
Lancetto (FR) 16-1 (11-0) Mid-division, no threat from 2 out, 15th of 26, 20l behind Final Approach (10-9) at Leopardstown 2m hcp hdl 0-145 sft in Jan.
Silver Friend 5-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, led from 4 out, ridden entering straight, headed before 2 out, soon no impression in 3rd, 3rd of 10, 8l behind New Phase (11-12) at Cork 2m hdl sft in Nov.
Askthemaster (IRE) 13-2 (10-4) Tracked leaders in 6th, 4th and progress 5 out, 2nd 4 out, challenged 2 out, led before last, stayed on well, comfortably, won at Leopardstown 2m 1f hcp chs 0-140 sft in Dec beating Arklow Ger (10-0) by 6l, 10 ran.
Henro Boy (IRE) 5-1 (11-5) In touch, 8th halfway, progress 3 out, moderate 4th 2 out, kept on same pace, 4th of 21, 9l behind Raptor (11-12) at Punchestown 2m 4f Maiden Hurdle (5-6yo) sft in Jan.
Sounds of Jupiter (IRE) 5-1 (11-1) 2nd early, 3rd halfway, 4th after 3 out, soon ridden, kept on to go moderate 3rd after last, 3rd of 13, 4 1/2l behind Whodoyouthink (11-12) at Gowran Park 2m 1f hcp hdl 8Evens30 sft in Jan.
Might Be Magic 5-2fav (10-12) Settled 3rd, improved into 2nd from 4th, 3rd 3 out, 2nd and ridden to challenge after 2 out, every chance from last, kept on well, just failed, 2nd of 13, shd behind Whodoyouthink (11-12) at Gowran Park 2m 1f hcp hdl 8Evens30 sft in Jan.
Lilywhitedancer (IRE) 9-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, 6th halfway, weakened before 4 out, 17th of 23, well behind Battlefront (9-10) at Punchestown 2m hcp chs 0-140 gd in Apr.
Ardalan (IRE) 14-1 (10-2) Towards rear for most, never a factor, 8th of 11, 30l behind Fingers (9-7) at Bellewstown 2m 4f hcp hdl gd in Jul '09.
Action Master 25-1 (11-1) Mid-division, headway in 7th 3 out, close 4th 2 out, ridden to challenge entering straight, no extra before last where 5th, kept on same pace, 6th of 19, 12l behind Glam Gerry (11-3) at Leopardstown 2m 4f hcp hdl 8Evens23 sft in Jan.
Mutadarek 25-1 (9-5) Towards rear, headway on outer approaching 2 out, 8th approaching last, kept on well run-in, 3rd of 26, 3l behind Final Approach (10-9) at Leopardstown 2m hcp hdl 0-145 sft in Jan.
Forty Foot Tom 10-1 (11-5) In touch in rear, effort approaching 2 out, 5th before last, kept on, 4th of 7, 6l behind Darwins Fox (11-3) at Naas 2m lst nov hdl (4yo+) (1) in Jan.
Binocular 10-1 (11-3) Mid-division, 6th approaching 3 out, 4th before 2 out, soon no extra, 4th of 15, 15l behind Concrete And Clay (11-3) at Thurles 2m hcp hdl 8Evens16 sft in Jan.
Sizing Africa (IRE) 5-1 (11-4) Rear of mid-division, some headway after 3 out, 6th 2 out, 4th under pressure at last, no impression run-in and kept on one pace, 5th of 13, 8l behind Fool's Wildcat (10-13) at Leopardstown 2m Novice Handicap Hurdle (80-116) (4yo+) in Dec.
