chased leaders, 2nd halfway, slight mistake and ridden 2 out, no extra entering straight
chased leaders and ran freely early, slight mistake 2nd, lost place halfway, soon towards rear, ridden and no extra after 3 out, soon weakened, pulled up before last
always towards rear, ridden after 3 out, no impression 2 out
chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden and lost place before 2 out, under pressure in 8th entering straight, kept on one pace from before last
mid-division early, chased leaders after 3rd, 5th halfway, slight mistake 3 out, ridden 2 out, no extra entering straight
held up towards rear, progress into 5th entering straight, ridden and no impression before last, kept on one pace
soon chased leaders, 4th halfway, close in 3rd entering straight, ridden and no extra before last, 4th last and slight mistake, kept on one pace
held up towards rear early, mid-division in 6th halfway, progress into 4th 2 out, improved to lead early straight, ridden before last, headed run-in and no extra, kept on one pace
led, slight mistake 5th, ridden and headed early straight, no extra in 3rd last, kept on one pace
mid-division early, towards rear halfway, closer in 6th 2 out, ridden into 4th entering straight, stayed on into 2nd last, led run-in and kept on well closing stages
Delvin Road made very good progress and easily landed a Down Royal maiden on his final start at Down Royal on St Patrick's Day and he'll have been primed for his handicap debut. But the four-year-old COPY THAT (NAP) was having only his fourth start when landing a tough handicap at Galway in October in the style of a very progressive youngster. He's only been raised 6lb and looks much better than a 115-rated handicapper so gets the vote. Mrs Mac Veale, who finished a close third, is better off at the weights and has continued in good form so looks a threat while Wes Hardin, who won in heavy conditions at Listowel in June, is much better than he showed at Fairyhouse a month ago. Ancient Sands is well up to this sort of grade at his best and arrives in top form having scored at Navan last month.
Sizing Tennessee (IRE) 9-4fav (11-12) Chased leaders, closer order approaching straight, challenged and slight peck 2 out, led before last, stayed on well run-in, clear closing stages, won at Navan 2m mdn Yielding in Dec beating Rock The World (11-12) by 3 3/4l, 30 ran.
Snake Eyes (IRE) 12-1 (10-4) Chased leaders and slight mistake 1st, soon mid-division, ridden and dropped towards rear 5th, eased after 3 out, tailed off, 17th of 20, dist behind Quick Jack (10-4) at Galway 2m hcp gd in Jul.
Gladiator King (IRE) 11-1 (11-12) Mid-division, not jump fluently, 5th halfway, pushed along and no impression in 7th entering straight, no extra, eased, last of 8, dist behind Noble Inn (11-12) at Clonmel 2m hvy in Nov.
Mrs Mac Veale (IRE) 10-1 (11-7) Soon chased leader, disputed briefly 3rd, ridden in 2nd before 2 out, no chance with winner, kept on same pace, 2nd of 5, 3l behind Vroum Vroum Mag (11-2) at Clonmel 2m hvy in Dec.
O Ceallaigh (IRE) 33-1 (11-12) Mid-division, mistake and unseated rider 5th, at Punchestown 2m 4f Good - Yielding in Apr.
Wes Hardin (IRE) 13-2 (10-12) Chased leaders, under pressure approaching straight, soon no impression, not fluent 2 out, eased,, 13th of 15, dist behind Blue Hell (10-12) at Fairyhouse 2m hcp Soft - Heavy in Nov.
Ordinary World (IRE) 7-2fav (10-9) Towards rear, 11th halfway, progress to 8th 3 out, 7th 2 out, soon driven, no impression, 8th of 12, 9 3/4l behind Colla Pier (9-11) at Punchestown 2m hcp sft in Nov.
Ancient Sands (IRE) 7-1 (10-13) Impeded start, soon chased leaders, closer order approaching straight, challenged 2 out, led before last, stayed on well run-in, won at Navan 2m hcp Yielding - Soft in Nov beating Bashful Beauty (10-7) by 1 1/2l, 19 ran.
Lord Ben (IRE) 20-1 (10-8) Soon led, joined into straight, headed approaching 2 out, weakened and not fluent last,, 10th of 15, 28 1/2l behind Blue Hell (10-12) at Fairyhouse 2m hcp Soft - Heavy in Nov.
Copy That (IRE) 3-1fav (9-12) Held up 6th, 5th at 4th, progress to 4th 2 out where not fluent, travelled well to lead last, kept on well, ridden out, won at Galway 2m hcp gd in Oct beating Rocky Court (10-7) by 1/2l, 9 ran.
The Plan Man (IRE) 20-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, under pressure from 3 out, soon no extra, pulled up approaching 2 out,, at Fairyhouse 2m hcp Soft - Heavy in Nov.
Delvin Road (IRE) 10-3 (11-4) Chased leaders, 8th early, improved to challenge from 2 out, soon led and clear, stayed on well, easily, won at Down Royal 2m mdn Yielding - Soft in Mar beating Round Tower (11-12) by 7l, 20 ran.
Bishopslough (IRE) 12-1 (11-6) Mistake 1st, soon held up behind leaders, 4th halfway, 3rd 3 out, ridden last, no impression straight and kept on same pace, 3rd of 6, 6 1/4l behind Sizing Platinum (11-6) at Galway 2m 2f gd in Jul.
Runyon Rattler (IRE) 16-1 (11-3) A little keen, held up towards rear, hit 2nd, pushed along and no impression from 3 out, soon no extra,, 7th of 8, dist behind De Name Escapes Me (11-10) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f Soft - Heavy in Nov.
