bad mistake and unseated rider 7th
waited with, closer in 6th approaching 7 out where not fluent, 4th approaching straight, soon no impression under pressure, kept on same pace
tracked leaders, slow jump and niggled along 4th, lost place 4 out and no extra from next
prominent, niggled along 7 out, mistake 5 out, lost place after 3 out, soon no impression
soon chased leaders, ridden to close after 3 out, soon 2nd, 3rd before 2 out, soon no impression under pressure, kept on same pace
waited with towards rear, improved approaching 7 out, soon chasing leaders, close up and travelling well into straight, challenged and good jump to lead last, pushed out to assert run-in
dropped to rear and slow jump 5th, never a factor, pulled up before 7 out
soon towards rear, pulled up after 9th
attempted to make all, hampered before 8th, pressed straight, headed and slight bump last, no impression and kept on same pace run-in
chased leaders early, no extra and pulled up before 7 out
soon tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, soon no extra
Five last-time winners make this another competitive event. The five-year-old Prince Ludovic made a winning start over fences at Kilbeggan when beating what looked a very strong field of beginners. He jumped superbly that day and a similar round will stand him in good stead here. Clouded Thoughts is progressing and won nicely here in May though that was on good ground over 2m4f and he'd fell on his chasing debut in the race won by Devil's Elbow at Down Royal. The winner ran reasonably well in a handicap at Roscommon next time and should be in the shake-up but OUR VICTORIA was in front of him that day and Colin Bowe's mare, who stays extreme distances and will like the ground, looks set to gain her first success since September.
Clouded Thoughts (IRE) 25-1 (11-9) Soon tracked leaders, 5th before straight, challenged 2 out, in front at last, stayed on well run-in, won at Limerick 2m 3f beg chase gd in May beating Lord Ben (11-12) by 2 3/4l, 15 ran.
Elembridge King (IRE) 8-1 (11-2) Settled towards rear, headway into 5th after halfway, went 2nd 3 out, travelling best to lead next, quickened clear run-in, won at Tipperary 2m 7f nov hunt ch gf in May beating Gale Force Oscar (11-2) by 8l, 9 ran.
Mat Hill (IRE) 14-1 (9-3) Chased leader, 2nd halfway, ridden in 3rd 2 out, under pressure before last, stayed on again run-in to lead closing stages, won at Down Royal 2m 4f hcp chs sft in Jun beating Commanchewardance (9-10) by 1 3/4l, 16 ran.
Page One Two Nine (IRE) 12-1 (11-2) Made all, strongly pressed from 3 out, kept on best under pressure in straight, won at Kilbeggan 3m 1f hcp chs 0-116 gf in Jun beating Bruff (9-13) by 2 1/2l, 12 ran.
Our Victoria (IRE) 14-1 (10-12) Close up and disputed lead, in front approaching straight, strongly pressed and not entirely fluent last, soon headed and kept on without matching 1st 2, 3rd of 16, 1 1/4l behind Ainama (10-5) at Roscommon 3m hcp chs gs in Jun.
Devil's Elbow 7-1 (10-4) Waited with towards rear, headway into 8th after 4 out, ridden into 6th 2 out, soon no impression and kept on same pace from before last, 7th of 16, 6l behind Ainama (10-5) at Roscommon 3m hcp chs gs in Jun.
Happy New Year (IRE) 16-1 (11-12) Chased leader, 3rd halfway, ridden after 4 out, weakened before next, pulled up before last, in a race won by Pride Of The Artic (11-12) at Down Royal 2m 4f beg chase sft in Jun, 11 ran.
Leap O'Faith (IRE) 11-1 (10-11) Mid-division, 8th approaching 6 out, kept on same pace under pressure straight, 5th of 12, 11l behind Hampstead Heath (10-10) at Killarney 2m 6f nov chs gd in May '10.
Prince Ludovic (IRE) 8-1 (11-5) Made all, jumped well, strongly pressed after 2 out, ridden and kept on well from before last, won at Kilbeggan 2m 4f beg chs gs in May beating Benash (11-12) by 2 1/4l, 14 ran.
Stranger In Moscow (IRE) 8-1 (12-0) Alw cl up, tr ldrs on outer 5out, not qckn 3out, no ex late, 4th of 16, 13l behind Satorie (12-0) at Ballingarry 3m ire ptp in Jun.
Western Star (IRE) 33-1 (11-12) Prominent, fell 5 out, in a race won by Bullock Harbour (11-12) at Roscommon 2m 5f beg chase gs in Jun, 16 ran.
