tracked leaders, 5th halfway, headway into 3rd 2 out, led early straight, ridden and kept on well run-in
prominent, 2nd halfway, led before 2 out, headed entering straight and soon weakened
led, headed approaching 2 out and soon weakened
mid-division, 7th halfway, 5th 2 out, went 3rd before last, no extra under pressure run-in
mid-division on outer, 7th 2 out, no extra in straight
mid-division, 8th 3 out, ridden and no impression in 7th approaching last, kept on one pace
towards rear, 8th 2 out, good headway on inner into 4th before last, no impression and kept on one pace in 3rd run-in
tracked leaders on inner, 4th halfway, no extra from 2 out, weakened
tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, 2nd 2 out, no extra early straight, weakened
tracked leaders, 6th halfway, went 4th 2 out, challenged approaching last, ridden and no impression on winner run-in, kept on same pace
held up in rear, headway to go 6th 2 out, no impression in 5th befor last, no extra
towards rear, 10th entering straight, headway to go 6th at last, kept on well run-in, nearest at finish
The last three winners of this have all been at huge starting prices. With the going likely to be testing and the pace strong it's the bottom weights he should hold the aces and HAROLD'S CROSS gets the vote. Christy Roche' charge completed a hat-trick over fences in the summer and reverted to hurdling on a 34lb lower mark to score at Fairyhouse last month. A 9lb rise shouldn't pose a problem and he can go in again at the chief expense of Sughera, who looked very progressive when landing a Tramore maiden in October and has since been running on the Flat. Ferry Point made the in-form Bay Of Kotor pull out all the stops at Fairyhouse last week and can go well again as can Shariyan, who is just 5lb higher after landing a decent handicap at Downpatrick.
Askthemaster (IRE) 8-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, 7th halfway, ridden and no extra before 2 out, 13th of 19, well behind Royal Reveille (11-0) at Galway 2m 4f hcp hdl 8Evens23 gd in Jul.
Kirbybroguelantern (IRE) 16-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders when fell 3rd, in a race won by Schinkel (10-10) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f hcp hdl 8Evens23 sft, 16 ran.
Carrolls Cross (IRE) 3-1fav (11-5) Made all, kept on well to go clear from last, won at Market Rasen 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Sep '09 beating Bruslini (10-12) by 7l, 14 ran.
Ross Na Righ (IRE) 20-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, 5th halfway, ridden approaching 2 out, no extra from early straight, 7th of 22, 37l behind Kyle's Turn (11-6) at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp hdl 80-109.
Are You The One (IRE) 33-1 (11-12) Soon towards rear, never a factor, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Bishopsfurze (11-12) at Thurles 2m 2f beg chs hvy in Nov, 16 ran.
Ghareer (IRE) 5-1 (10-7) In rear, some modest headway from 3 out, kept on one paced, 6th of 15, 26l behind The Lady Granuaile (10-12) at Limerick 2m 4f hcp hdl 8Evens23 sft in Nov.
Steel Park (IRE) 20-1 (10-11) Prominent, slight mistake 2 out, soon no extra, 14th of 15, 17l behind Carlingford Lough (11-0) at Galway 2m hcp hdl 8Evens23 gd in Jul.
Blood Diamond (IRE) 8-1 (11-0) Towards rear, ridden into 9th entering straight, kept on same pace from before last, 5th of 16, 8l behind No One Tells Me (11-2) at Punchestown 2m 4yo hdl sft in Apr '09.
Ferry Point (IRE) 11-1 (10-13) Chased leaders, closed and led 2 out, headed before last, checked early run-in, stayed on well and closing at finish, 2nd of 16, 3/4l behind Bay Of Kotor (10-5) at Fairyhouse 2m hcp hdl 80-109 hvy.
Harold's Cross (AUS) 9-4fav (10-11) Tracked leaders, 5th halfway, headway into 2nd 4 out, travelled well to challenge 2 out, ridden approaching last, kept on well under pressure to lead run-in, won at Fairyhouse 2m 4f hcp hdl 80-109 sft in Nov beating Wicklow Lad (11-6) by nk, 15 ran.
Sughera (IRE) 5-1 (11-1) Tracked leaders, 3rd 3 out, improved to lead and ridden 2 out, kept on well from last, won at Tramore 2m mdn hdl in Oct beating Marlos Moment (11-12) by 4l, 14 ran.
Shariyan (IRE) 16-1 (11-7) Settled in mid-division, good headway after 3 out, led next, headed briefly last, soon ridden to regain lead and stayed on best run-in, won at Downpatrick 2m 2f hcp hdl 80-95 gd in Jul beating Lake Return (11-1) by 2 1/2l, 15 ran.
Three Monkeys (IRE) 33-1 (10-13) Prominent, 4th approaching 3 out, no extra next, 12th of 15, well behind South Wing (11-6) at Ballinrobe 2m Amateur Handicap Hurdle (80-109) (4yo+) in Jun.
