chased leaders, 7th after 7th, no impression before straight
waited with, 8th after 7th, pushed along to close up approaching straight, soon on terms, led after 2 out, soon edged slightly left, stayed on well to assert run-in
slightly impeded 1st, a little keen early, chased leaders, 4th after 7th, on terms approaching straight, headed after 2 out, slightly impeded and switched right approaching last, one pace run-in and just held on for 2nd
waited with, slight mistake 4th, 9th after 7th, no impression before straight, no extra and pulled up before last
tracked leaders, 3rd after 7th, on terms approaching straight, headed after 2 out, one pace after
came close with rival 1st, prominent, slight mistake 7th, soon 5th, slight mistake 8th and weakened, mistake 3 out, soon pulled up
waited with, tended to race towards inner, slight mistake 7th, soon 10th, mistake 3 out, no impression before straight, one pace
led, slight mistake 1st, tended to race towards inner, headed approaching 3rd, prominent, not fluent 4 out, one pace from before straight
in rear, a little slow at 2nd, not fluent 3rd and pushed along briefly, reminder after 7th, some headway approaching straight to chase leaders, soon no impression, kept on without threatening run-in
slightly bumped 1st, prominent, led approaching 3rd, clear at stages after, mistake 6th, joined approaching straight, soon headed and weakened
mid-division, 6th after 7th, closed up approaching straight, soon on terms, headed before 2 out, soon no impression, slight mistake last, ran on without threatening on inner run-in, just failed for 2nd
waited with, slight mistake 4th, reminders after 5th, 12th after 7th, no impression before straight, one pace
chased leaders early, 11th after 7th, towards rear and pushed along 4 out, no impression before straight, kept on same pace without threatening
Isabel's Gold is consistent enough but hasn't won since her hurdling debut in 2018 and keeps going up in the ratings. She had no answer to FRERE FONTAINE over the course and distance last time and the winner, who looks to be rapidly improving, can complete a double despite going up 9lb. Difficult Decision was returning from a very long break when scoring on heavy ground at Clonmel where he looked to have a bit in hand. There should be more to come and he should make a bold bid to defy a 9lb rise. Monty's Mission is held by the selection though did the form no harm at Thurles next time but Whoyakodding was beaten 15 lengths into second over the track and trip in November.
Isabel's Gold (IRE) 2-1fav (11-12) Held up towards rear, 8th halfway, took closer order after 3 out until ridden and no impression before 2 out, kept on one pace to go 4th after last, 4th of 10, 7 1/2l behind Macho Mover (11-5) at Tramore 2m 5f hcp sft in Jan.
Difficult Decision (IRE) 16-1 (11-2) Held up towards rear, progress into 7th after 3 out, 3rd entering straight, travelled well into narrow lead before 2 out, joined 2 out and slight mistake, soon ridden, kept on well under pressure, asserted closing stages of run-in, won at Clonmel 2m 4f hcp hvy in Jan beating Spare Brakes (11-12) by 2 3/4l, 16 ran.
Frere Fontaine (FR) 3-1fav (10-11) Mid-division, 10th halfway, progress to 5th on outer before straight, disputed travelling well 2 out, strongly pressed before last where good jump to lead, ridden and kept on well to draw clear run-in, won at Limerick 2m 5f hcp hvy in Dec beating Isabel's Gold (11-11) by 6l, 16 ran.
Monty's Mission (IRE) 6-1 (11-8) Rear of mid-division, headway on outer after 4 out, 3rd and pecked 2 out, soon ridden and went 2nd approaching last, no impression on winner run-in, kept on one pace, 2nd of 14, 7l behind Ahgetawayoutadat (10-11) at Thurles 2m 7f hcp Yielding in Jan.
Fox Le Bel (FR) 9-4fav (10-5) Pushed along at start and raced mid-division on outer, mistakes 2nd and 3rd, closer in 6th 3 out, 3rd travelling well entering straight, soon ridden, dropped to 4th before last, no impression, 5th of 15, 6l behind Abraham (11-2) at Naas 2m 3f hcp Good - Yielding in Jan.
Jaunty Warrior 14-1 (10-7) Soon disputed, led 2nd, clear from 3rd, extended advantage and well clear from next, slight mistake 7th, reduced advantage 4 out, soon headed and weakened, completely tailed off, last of 12, dist behind Tokyo Getaway (11-11) at Punchestown 3m hcp Soft - Heavy in Jan.
Whoyakodding 25-1 (11-8) Mid-division on outer, 6th halfway, closer in 4th 3 out, ridden to dispute entering straight, headed and disputed 2nd after 2 out, went 2nd but no impression on winner after last, kept on one pace, 2nd of 14, 15l behind Young Dev (12-4) at Limerick 2m 5f hcp Soft - Heavy in Nov.
All About Alfie (IRE) 16-1 (11-8) Led or disputed lead, headed 3rd, remained prominent until lost place 4 out, soon no extra and dropped to rear, weakened, pulled up before last, at Fairyhouse 2m 4f hcp hvy in Jan.
Vue En Seine 100-1 (10-11) Settled behind leaders, 6th halfway, slight mistake 5th, ridden in 8th and no impression after 3 out, moderate 5th and jumped right 2 out, kept on one pace, 4th of 16, 17 1/2l behind Uisce Solas (11-7) at Clonmel 2m 1f mdn hvy in Jan.
Anjilina (IRE) 66-1 (10-13) Waited with, 11th after 6th, no extra from 3 out, pulled up before 2 out, at Limerick 2m 4f mdn hvy in Dec.
High Viz (IRE) 14-1 (10-13) Towards rear, 10th after 6th, headway after 4 out, no impression on leaders in 8th entering straight, kept on, never on terms, 6th of 13, 16 3/4l behind Northern Love (10-11) at Limerick 2m 3f hcp Soft - Heavy in Dec.
Lucia's Bob (IRE) 33-1 (10-11) Towards rear, pushed along briefly from 2nd, 10th from 4th, pushed along again 6th, no impression and not fluent 3 out, kept on without threatening straight, 6th of 13, dist behind Our Roxane (11-1) at Limerick 2m hcp hvy in Dec.
Elusive Exclusive (IRE) 50-1 (10-11) Always towards rear, never a factor, 18th of 25, dist behind All About Alfie (11-2) at Naas 2m 3f hcp sft in Dec.
