always last, slight mistake 2nd, mistake 3rd and trailing, pushed along next, no impression from 4 out, continued under hands and heels straight
led, mistake 5th, narrow lead entering straight, pushed along after 2 out, bad mistake at last and ridden, headed inside final furlong, no extra in 4th close home
tracked leaders in 3rd early, dropped to 5th at halfway, under pressure next, soon weakened
tracked leader in 2nd, close 2nd entering straight, ridden from 2 out, dropped to disputing 3rd at last, kept on same pace inside final furlong
tracked leaders on inner, 3rd 3 out, ridden in 3rd 2 out, close 2nd at last, headway to lead inside final furlong, stayed on well close home
tracked leaders, 4th at halfway, ridden and disputing 3rd before 2 out, closer 3rd at last, no extra inside final furlong
held up in touch in 6th, 5th 4 out, ridden in moderate 5th entering straight, closer 5th and under pressure at last, ran on well run-in, went 2nd close home, never nearer
Effernock Lad has only been here once before, scoring over the distance in 2016. He's been in winning form recently though jumped poorly at Galway in October and paid the price at the last. Out Of The Loop, three times a winner over timber, has shown little in three starts over fences but starts off in handicaps off a 10lb lower mark. Allardyce has had plenty of experience and took advantage of heavy going when scoring at Gowran. An 8lb rise made things difficult in a much better race at Leopardstown last week but he performed with credit. But EVERLASTINGPROMISE (NAP) has been in fine form, winning easily at Clonmel and again at Thurles from 17lb higher. He went up another 10lb for that latter victory but ran well for a long way in a much stronger race than this at Navan and looks the one to beat.
Out Of The Loop 33-1 (11-12) Rear of mid-division, closer in 6th at last (usual 3 out), no impression straight, 10th of 17, dist behind Bapaume (11-12) at Naas 2m 3f sft in Dec.
Everlastingpromise 9-2fav (9-13) Soon led, joined after 5th, headed and slight mistake 3 out, no extra approaching last, 4th of 12, 30 3/4l behind Minella Times (9-10) at Navan 2m 4f hcp sft in Dec.
Grand Partner (IRE) 14-1 (10-9) Raced in 6th early, soon mid-division, slight mistake 2nd, bad mistake 7th, soon pulled up, at Leopardstown 2m 1f hcp Yielding in Dec.
Effernock Lad (IRE) 5-1 (10-12) Chased leader, 3rd halfway, slight mistake 3 out, ridden and no extra 2 out, mistake and unseated rider last, at Galway 2m 2f hcp Soft - Heavy in Oct.
Allardyce 12-1 (10-3) Raced in 9th early, some slight mistakes, chased leaders halfway, kept on same pace without threatening from before last, 3rd of 16, 9 1/2l behind Drumconnor Lad (10-13) at Leopardstown 2m 1f hcp Yielding in Dec.
My Manekineko 16-1 (11-11) In rear, moderate 9th and pushed along entering straight, no impression, kept on one pace, never a factor, 6th of 12, 9 1/4l behind Fight For Love (10-11) at Fairyhouse 2m hcp hvy in Dec.
Dasmyhoss (IRE) 33-1 (9-10) Waited with, soon towards rear, no extra from before 2 out, 13th of 16, dist behind Drumconnor Lad (10-13) at Leopardstown 2m 1f hcp Yielding in Dec.