tracked leader, 2nd halfway, disputed lead briefly after 2 out, 2nd and pushed along early straight, no impression on easy winner from before last, kept on one pace
towards rear, closer 2 out, pushed along early straight, went 3rd and ridden before last, no impression on easy winner run-in, kept on one pace
towards rear, 5th halfway, reminder in rear before 4 out and closer 2 out, ridden early straight and went 4th at last, no impression run-in, kept on one pace
tracked leader, 3rd halfway, 4th and ridden early straight, soon no extra and pulled up before last
led, jumped right 3rd and slow 5th, pushed along after 4 out and joined after 2 out, ridden and headed early straight, dropped to 5th at last, no extra
tracked leaders, 4th halfway, headway to challenge 2 out, led travelling well early straight, pushed out and stretched clear run-in, easily
After beating Bob Olinger at Navan last November, HOME BY THE LEE (NAP) won this in excellent style. He was beaten into third behind the runner-up in the same race last month but was returning from a long absence and will be at his peak here. Irish Point had a brilliant novice campaign culminating in landing the Grade 1 Mersey at Aintree. He wasn't impressive on his reappearance in a Down Royal Grade 3 but will have found the trip much too short. Asterion Forlonge is better known as a chaser but has a Group 1 over hurdles here and his trainer will have had plenty of options. Buddy One had his limitations exposed in the Hatton's Grace and the remaining pair have plenty to find on official ratings.
Asterion Forlonge (FR) 18-1 (11-12) Raced in rear, not fluent 6 out and jumped right next, went 5th 3 out, pushed along and no extra from next, 5th of 6, 17 1/2l behind Fastorslow (11-12) at Punchestown 2m 4f (1) sft in Nov.
Ballyadam (IRE) 6-1 (11-1) Tracked leaders, progress into 2nd halfway, disputed briefly 2 out, soon headed and dropped to 3rd entering straight, no extra and kept on one pace, 3rd of 8, 7l behind Hercule Du Seuil (11-5) at Galway 2m 2f (1) Good - Yielding in Aug.
Beacon Edge (IRE) 11-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, pushed along and dropped to mid-division at 7th, weakened, pulled up before 2 out, at Navan 3m 1f hcp lst (1) hvy in Dec.
Buddy One (IRE) 22-1 (11-12) Tracked leader in 2nd, 3rd at 3rd, disputed 4th from 6th, ridden in last 3 out, no impression, last of 5, 27l behind Teahupoo (11-12) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f (1) sft in Dec.
Home By The Lee (IRE) 7-2 (11-12) Led, 3 lengths clear halfway, pushed along 2 out and soon headed, dropped to 3rd before last, ridden and no impression run-in, kept on one pace, 3rd of 5, 5 1/4l behind Bob Olinger (11-3) at Navan 2m 4f (1) Soft - Heavy in Nov.
Irish Point (FR) 5-6fav (12-0) Chased leader, 2nd halfway, led travelling well 2 out(usual 4 out), pushed along and joined last, rallied and kept on well run-in, won at Down Royal 2m 1f (1) sft in Nov beating Magical Zoe (11-1) by 1 3/4l, 7 ran.
