settled 3rd, improved to 2nd 2 out, 3rd last (normal 3 out), travelled well to lead approaching straight, asserted over 1f out, clear under 1f out, very easily
tracked leader, a little keen, slight mistake 3 out, 3rd 2 out, 2nd last where pecked (normal 3 out), 3rd approaching straight, under pressure in 2nd over 2f out, no extra in 3rd over 1f out
soon led narrowly, headed approaching straight, dropped to 3rd and ridden over 2f out, no chance with winner in 2nd over 1f out, one paced
Henry De Bromhead produced an excellent training performance to deliver Dancing On my Own to score on chasing debut in October last year on a first start since November 2019. Well supported to do so, he is an interesting prospect over fences. However, BLUE LORD (NAP), consistently placed in Grade 1 hurdle company last term, made an excellent start to life over fences when scoring smoothly at Fairyhouse and could well take high rank amongst this season's novice chasers. Lifetime Ambition is possibly his major danger, having made a sound transition to fencing and a more than respectable fourth at the top level last time in the Drinmore.
Blue Lord (FR) 8-11fav (12-0) Led and disputed, led halfway, pushed out to assert before last, kept on strongly run-in, easily, won at Fairyhouse 2m Yielding - Soft in Dec beating El Barra (12-0) by 5 1/2l, 14 ran.
Dancing On My Own (IRE) 5-4fav (12-0) Led, not fluent 6 out, jumped left 3 out and soon pushed along, joined next where pecked slightly and ridden, regained lead from last and kept on best run-in, won at Killarney 2m 1f Yielding - Soft in Oct beating Buddy Rich (12-0) by 2 1/4l, 6 ran.
Lifetime Ambition (IRE) 3-1fav (11-12) Tracked leader, not fluent in 2nd at 7th, soon 3rd, 2nd after 9th, dropped to 3rd 2 out, weakened in 4th before last, 4th of 8, 12 1/4l behind Beacon Edge (11-12) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f (1) gd in Nov.
Whenurgoodurgood (IRE) 50-1 (11-0) Tracked leader, led after 1st, headed after 4th, 4th after 3 out, weakened after 2 out, pulled up run-in, at Leopardstown 2m 4f hcp sft in Dec.
Zoffanien (IRE) 125-1 (11-8) Held up in rear, not fluent 4th, pushed along halfway, went moderate 5th at 7th, soon ridden and no extra, never a factor, 5th of 6, dist behind Ferny Hollow (12-0) at Leopardstown 2m 1f (1) sft in Dec.