MISSISSIPPI RIVER (NAP) has returned from a spell between the flags and ran well for a long way over slightly further at Tramore. He looks well handicapped these days and, with his rider's claim to aid his cause, can land this moderate contest. Why Ask Me will be receiving lumps of weight but has still to win in 10 starts under Rules and Popboru looks more of a threat. She's been in decent form over the minimum trip but her best run was over 2m4f at Fairyhouse, though she keeps going up in the weights without winning. The Bach Road has yet to prove herself on this sort of ground while Whisky Galore has a very poor strike-rate.
Mississippi River (IRE) 20-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, progress on outer to go 2nd briefly 2 out, soon ridden, no impression in 4th and mistake last, no extra run-in, 5th of 11, 12 1/4l behind Rebel Turn (11-10) at Tramore 2m 5f hcp hvy in Dec.
Dr Waluigi (IRE) 50-1 (11-12) Soon tracked leaders, no extra from before 2 out, 8th of 21, dist behind Min (11-9) at Punchestown 2m 2f mdn sft in Dec.
Popboru (IRE) 7-1 (10-11) Soon tracked leaders, mistake 3rd, disputed 4th before straight, one pace approaching last, 8th of 21, 11l behind Fighting Days (10-7) at Punchestown 2m hcp sft in Dec.
Sacre Malta (FR) 16-1 (11-6) Rear of mid-division, 13th on outer halfway, no impression approaching straight, no extra 2 out, 11th of 18, 35 1/4l behind Long House Island (11-13) at Thurles 2m hcp sft in Nov.
Mick The Boyo (IRE) 16-1 (10-11) Towards rear, 15th before straight, soon no impression, slight mistake last, one pace, 14th of 21, 23 3/4l behind Fighting Days (10-7) at Punchestown 2m hcp sft in Dec.
Whisky Galore 14-1 (10-13) Led and disputed, slow jump 2nd, slightly slow 5th, headed before 3 out, soon back on terms, headed again and no extra from after 2 out, 9th of 11, 25 3/4l behind Long House Island (11-9) at Thurles 2m hcp sft in Nov.
The Bach Road (IRE) 14-1 (11-2) Held up in rear, fell 8th, at Thurles 2m 6f hcp sft in Nov.
Edvardo (IRE) 33-1 (11-4) Held up, closer order when ran slightly off bend after 4th, pushed along from next, jumped right and no impression 4 out, soon no extra, 13th of 15, dist behind Micras (11-0) at Thurles 2m hcp sft in Nov.
Varene De Vauzelle (FR) 9-1 (10-13) Mid-division best, ridden 4 out, no extra next, weakened and tailed off, 14th of 18, dist behind Ice Cool (11-5) at Clonmel 2m 4f hcp hvy in Dec.
Why Ask Me (IRE) 33-1 (10-13) Held up towards rear, ridden in 10th and no impression after 2 out, kept on from last, 4th close home, 4th of 14, 14 3/4l behind The Informer (10-13) at Ballinrobe 3m hcp Yielding - Soft in Aug.
