tracked leaders, 6th halfway, progress to go 2nd after 3 out, ridden entering straight, no impression in 4th when pecked last, no extra run-in
held up in rear, close 7th when fell 2 out
held up in rear, ran freely, pulled way into 4th briefly before 10th, 7th entering straight and ridden to go 5th before last, kept on one pace
tracked leaders in 3rd, progress to lead 5 out, asserted approaching last, under pressure and drifted left run-in, headed final 100 yards and no impression on winner close home
tracked leaders and 4th halfway, ridden in 5th early straight and no impression approaching last, kept on one pace
led, headed 5 out, ridden and dropped to 6th entering straight, no extra
tracked leader in 2nd, dropped to 5th 3 out, progress approaching last and 2nd early run-in, briefly short of room and led inside final 100 yards, kept on well close home
tracked leaders and 5th halfway, progress into 3rd approaching straight, ridden and no impression on leader in 2nd before last, dropped to 3rd and kept on one pace run-in
This is a high-class line-up for a hunters' event and it's a while since horses of the class of QUEL ESPRIT and Pandorama ran in this sphere. The winner of the Hennessy on this card two years ago, the former has a Grand National entry and warmed up with a facile victory between the flags at Ballinaboola last week. He should have too much class for these though Pandorama is another superb addition to these events and actually ran in last year's Lexus. He's a four-times Grade 1 winner and a recent run behind today's rival Burren River at Nenagh should have put him straight. On The Fringe is a top-class hunter who has performed exceptionally well in the best races of their kind and beat the very useful Tammys Hill 3l at Down Royal over christmas. He's one of the early favourites for the Foxhunters at Cheltenham so should be at his peak. Warne beat Tammys Hill 5l at Fairyhouse a year ago and could easily snatch a place at a fair price.
Burren River (IRE) 5-1 (10-13) Rcd kn, mid div early, prog 4th to tr ldrs in 2nd at 4th, jnd ldr at 6th, 3l 3rd 4out, jnd ldrs appr 2out, upsides last, qcknd best run-in, won at Nenagh 3m ire ptp hvy in Jan beating Pandorama (11-9) by 1l, 7 ran.
Glasson Lad (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, ridden before 4 out, moderate 7th entering straight, stayed on into 5th last, kept on same pace run-in, 5th of 12, 6l behind Carsonstown Boy (11-2) at Thurles 3m hts chs sft in Jan.
James (IRE) 4-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, progress in 8th 4 out, jumped into 3rd 3 out, left 2nd 2 out, closed last, led early run-in, ridden and kept on well, won at Downpatrick 2m 5f hnt chs gd in Dec beating Kerrib Castle (11-0) by 6l, 12 ran.
On The Fringe (IRE) 5-1 (11-11) Mid-division early, progress to chase leaders 6th, 4th halfway, improved to lead entering straight, ridden and challenged 2 out, kept on well under pressure from before last, won at Down Royal 2m 7f hts chs sft in Dec beating Tammys Hill (11-9) by 3l, 14 ran.
Pandorama (IRE) 5-4 (11-9) Pr in 2nd, dprd to 4th at 3rd, prog to cl 3rd 7out, jnd ldr 6out, wo appr straight, upsides last, kow but not match wnr run-in, 2nd of 7, 1l behind Burren River (10-13) at Nenagh 3m ire ptp hvy in Jan.
Quel Esprit (FR) 1-4 (12-2) Rcd 2nd, mstk 6out, went on 3out, sn in command, won at Ballinaboola 3m ire ptp sft in Jan beating Arctic Mick (11-6) by dis, 5 ran.
Tammys Hill (IRE) 6-4fav (11-9) Held up towards rear early, mid-division in 8th halfway, progress 4 out, 2nd 3 out, challenged and jumped left 2 out, soon ridden, kept on without matching winner, 2nd of 14, 3l behind On The Fringe (11-11) at Down Royal 2m 7f hts chs sft in Dec.
Warne (IRE) Evens (12-2) Alw in tch, jnd ldr aftr 2out, eased clr, v impsve, won at Kirkistown 3m ire ptp hvy in Jan beating Slippers Percy (12-2) by dis, 7 ran.
