chased leaders, 5th halfway, ridden in 6th before straight, no impression before 2 out, kept on one pace
settled behind leaders, 6th halfway, progress into 2nd travelling well entering straight, challenged 2 out, ridden to narrow lead before last, asserted run-in, kept on well
mid-division, ridden into 5th entering straight, 3rd 2 out, no impression on leaders before last, kept on same pace, 4th run-in
held up towards rear, progress entering straight, ridden into 6th 2 out, stayed on into 4th last, kept on same pace into 3rd run-in
chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden in 4th entering straight, no extra before last, kept on one pace
held up towards rear, progress into 8th after 3 out, ridden and no impression before straight, soon no extra
held up, ridden and progress into 6th entering straight, no extra before 2 out
chased leader, disputed from 5th to after 7th, 2nd halfway, led 3 out, ridden before 2 out, pressed 2 out, narrowly headed before last where mistake, no extra in 2nd run-in, kept on same pace
mid-division, 7th halfway, slight mistake 4 out, ridden and no extra 3 out, soon weakened
chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden in 5th after 3 out, no impression 2 out, no extra before last, kept on one pace
always towards rear, ridden and no impression before straight, soon no extra
led, slight mistakes 1st and 3rd, disputed and slight mistake 5th, led again after 7th, headed 3 out, ridden in 3rd entering straight, no extra before 2 out
CLOUDY MORNING had become very inconsistent before joining the Queallys, who have harnessed his obvious ability to great effect. The eight-year-old completed his hat-trick with the minimum of fuss at Wexford and even an 11lb rise shouldn't prevent another victory. Jo Go has also had a new lease of life and battled on well to complete a double at Fairyhouse, though a 7lb rise may be enough to prevent a hat-trick. Irish Bulletin scored over fences at Fairyhouse last month but had beaten A Decent Excuse over hurdles over 2m6f here in October and can confirm the form. Coolbane West has suddenly found his form and has looked as though this sort of trip would be his optimum when staying on strongly over 2m4f at Gowran and Cork so he's another to consider in an open handicap.
Toushan (IRE) 33-1 (10-6) Mid-division on outer, dropped towards rear before halfway, pushed along and no impression after 11th, no extra 3 out, 12th of 15, dist behind Avant Tout (11-8) at Punchestown 2m 5f hcp Yielding in Apr.
Irish Bulletin (IRE) 4-1 (11-9) Tracked leaders, ridden to challenge and on terms from before last, soon led and stayed on best, won at Fairyhouse 3m hcp gd in Nov beating Prosperity Square (11-10) by 6l, 12 ran.
Tawseef (IRE) 8-1 (11-9) Settled behind leaders, 5th halfway, hampered 9th, ridden after 3 out, stayed on into 3rd entering straight, challenged 2 out, under pressure in 3rd and mistake last, no extra run-in and kept on same pace, 3rd of 10, 3 1/2l behind Tellthemnuttin (11-0) at Wexford 2m 4f hcp gd in Oct.
Coolbane West (IRE) 14-1 (11-8) Settled behind leaders, moderate 6th halfway, closer in 5th before straight, challenged 3 out, led 2 out, ridden and kept on well run-in, won at Cork 2m 4f hcp gd in Nov beating Mississippi River (11-11) by 3 1/4l, 14 ran.
Cloudy Morning (IRE) 6-1 (11-10) Tracked leader in 2nd, 12l 2nd halfway, closer in 2nd 3 out, pushed along and led entering straight, ridden and clear before last, stayed on well under pressure run-in, won at Wexford 3m hcp Soft - Heavy in Nov beating For Sinead (11-6) by 9l, 13 ran.
Coolmill (IRE) 16-1 (10-2) Held up towards rear, swift progress to chase leader before 4th, 2nd halfway. ridden in 5th 3 out, soon no extra, weakened entering straight and pulled up before 2 out, at Clonmel 3m hcp Yielding in Nov.
Wolfslair (IRE) 11-4 (11-6) Tracked leaders, 5th halfway, progress to lead before 4 out where jumped right, headed approaching next, soon no extra, weakened, 13th of 16, dist behind The Jazz Singer (11-0) at Navan 2m 7f hcp Yielding - Soft in Nov.
A Decent Excuse (IRE) 10-1 (10-1) Chased leaders early, mid-division in 9th halfway, ridden into 7th entering straight, no impression in 6th 3 out, kept on one pace, 8th of 16, dist behind Raz De Maree (10-11) at Cork 3m 4f hcp gd in Nov.
Jo Go (IRE) 9-1 (11-6) Towards rear, progress into 4th 2 out, led last, pressed and stayed on well run-in, won at Fairyhouse 2m 7f hcp sft in Nov beating Emma Beag (11-4) by 1/2l, 16 ran.
Bearly Legal (IRE) 10-1 (10-6) Chased leaders early, mid-division in 8th halfway, ridden and lost place before 4 out, no impression entering straight, 9th of 16, dist behind Raz De Maree (10-11) at Cork 3m 4f hcp gd in Nov.
Cnoc Na Sioga (IRE) 66-1 (10-3) Dwelt, always behind, never a factor, last of 13, dist behind Eshtiaal (12-3) at Dundalk 2m hcp pol in Mar.
Festive Day (IRE) 25-1 (11-3) Slightly impeded 1st, soon tracked leaders, lost place 7th, soon no danger, completely tailed off, 10th of 11, dist behind Oscar Knight (11-3) at Galway 2m 2f hcp Yielding in Oct.
Give Us A Hand (IRE) 50-1 (11-2) Slowly away, held up detached in rear, 14th halfway, progress in 6th 4 out, 3rd approaching straight, ridden and no impression after 2 out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 14, 7 1/2l behind Cloudy Morning (11-11) at Wexford 3m hcp gd in Oct.
