settled in rear of mid-division, some headway approaching 2 out, ridden to go 3rd early straight, good progress to lead last, driven out and kept on well run-in
prominent and disputed lead, headed before 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off
rear of mid-division, some headway 2 out, moderate 6th approaching last, kept on one pace
led or disputed lead, headed 3 out, weakened quickly approaching straight, tailed off
tracked leaders, 6th 3 out, 4th approaching straight, soon no extra
held up towards rear, some headway 2 out, ridden and no impression in 7th early straight
tracked leaders in 3rd, led 3 out, ridden to assert briefly early straight, soon strongly pressed and headed last, no impression on winner run-in
tracked leaders, 5th halfway, good headway on outer to go 2nd 2 out, soon ridden and dropped to 3rd before last, no extra
tracked leaders on inner, 4th 3 out, 3rd next, no extra from early straight, kept on one pace
held up towards rear, never a factor
tracked leaders on inner, 4th halfway, ridden 2 out, no impression in 3rd entering straight, soon weakened quickly and pulled up before last
Willie Mullins is likely to field the front two in the betting here with Boston Bob and MAKE YOUR MARK. The former has Ruby Walsh on board as he did when earning his penalty by landing what initially looked a soft Grade 1 race at Navan and may have to give best to his stablemate here though Jetson, who finished last of the four runners that day, has since beat a huge field in a handicap on this track. Davy Russell was on board Make Your Mark when the point-to-point and bumper winner sluiced home over this C&D last month and the 10lb he receives should swing things his way. Lyreen Legend wasn't far behind Monksland in a Naas Grade 2 last time while Texas Jack lost his unbeaten record at Navan in November and is definitely better than he showed that day.
Boston Bob (IRE) 9-4 (11-10) In touch in last, 3rd from 6th, ridden along from 3 out, led on inner after 2 out, kept on strongly run-in, comfortably, won at Navan 2m 4f nov hdl G1 (1) hvy in Dec beating Mount Benbulben (11-10) by 4 1/2l, 4 ran.
Glenstar (IRE) 5-4fav (11-4) Chased leaders, 2nd halfway, improved to lead after 4 out, ridden and challenged 2 out, asserted before last, kept on well, won at Kilbeggan 2m 3f mdn hdl gf in Jun beating Granaruid (11-4) by 4 1/2l, 16 ran.
Sea Of Thunder (IRE) 13-2 (11-4) Tracked leaders, smooth headway to join leaders on outside 2 out, led between last 2, drew 6 lengths clear and in command when fell last, in a race won by Deireadh Re (11-4) at Cheltenham 3m nov hdl G2 (1) gd in Dec, 6 ran.
Springfield Way (IRE) 9-1 (11-12) Chased leader in moderate 2nd, closed 4 out, led before 3 out, pushed along before 2 out, ridden and challenged before last, kept on well under pressure run-in, won at Downpatrick 2m 2f hdl in Dec beating Psycho (11-5) by 3/4l, 8 ran.
Texas Jack (IRE) 9-4fav (11-3) Held on in rear, slight mistake 5th, pushed along and no impression on first 2 from 2 out, kept on one pace, 4th of 6, 15l behind Mount Benbulben (11-3) at Navan 2m 4f nov hdl G2 (1) sft in Nov.
Touch Back (IRE) 9-4 (11-12) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, headway to challenge early straight and led last, kept on well to draw clear run-in, won at Leopardstown 2m 2f mdn hdl sft in Dec beating Marasonnien (11-12) by 5l, 12 ran.
Lyreen Legend (IRE) 15-8 (11-0) Tracked leaders in 3rd for much, keen hold early, struggling from between last 2, kept on under pressure without troubling winner run-in, 2nd of 6, 4 1/2l behind Monksland (11-0) at Naas 2m 4f nov hdl Grade 2 (1).
Make Your Mark (IRE) 4-5fav (11-7) Always prominent, led from 5th, asserted early straight and soon in command, kept on well, easily, won at Leopardstown 2m 4f 4yo mdn hdl gd in Dec beating Competitive Edge (11-7) by 10l, 17 ran.
Owega Star (IRE) 10-1 (11-0) Waited with, keen hold early, ridden into 4th before last, soon no impression and kept on same pace, 4th of 6, 7l behind Monksland (11-0) at Naas 2m 4f nov hdl Grade 2 (1).
Spring Heeled (IRE) 5-1 (11-9) Prominent, on terms approaching straight, slightly hampered by loose horse before 2 out, soon no extra, kept on same pace, 4th of 17, 16l behind Cash And Go (11-9) at Gowran Park 2m 4yo nov hdl sft in Nov.
Shadow Eile (IRE) 16-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, 4th 3 out, lost place a bit before straight, ridden in moderate 3rd approaching last where improved to be on terms, every chance run-in, not match winner and kept on same pace closing stages, 2nd of 9, 1/2l behind Ceol Rua (11-4) at Fairyhouse 2m 2f mares Listed nov hdl (1) sft.
Jetson (IRE) 12-1 (10-9) Settled in mid-division on inner, some headway in 7th bypassing 2 out, good progress early straight to challenge at last, soon led and kept on well run-in, won at Leopardstown 3m hcp hdl sft in Dec beating Sword Fish (9-5) by 3 1/2l, 25 ran.
