led early, headed 5th, not fluent in 2nd 2 out and soon ridden, 3rd at last, kept on same pace run-in
tracked leader in 2nd early, led from 5th, ridden from 2 out, headed at last, 3rd early run-in, kept on without threatening winner to regain 2nd close home
tracked leaders on inner, ridden in 4th on inner 2 out, soon no extra
tracked leaders on outer, mistake 3rd, ridden in 5th after 3 out, weakened
held up towards rear, ridden after 3 out, soon no impression
tracked leaders, ridden in 3rd before 2 out, soon no impression
held up in rear on outer, slight mistake 2nd and mistake 5th, headway on outer entering straight, 5th and pushed along 2 out, ridden to lead at last, stayed on well run-in
There's no getting away from the chances of SIZING TITANIUM, who was having only his third start over fences when landing a Navan handicap on testing ground. Lightly-raced for his age, he can defy a 7lb rise. Persian Wind looks a threat as he may have won here in November but for unseating at the last then made amends with a battling victory at Gowran. He couldn't take advantage of a lower hurdles mark last time but, back over fences, he should get into the frame. Blue Empyrean has done well for new connections having been placed at Clonmel before just failing to concede Peculiar Genius weight at Tramore on New Year's Day. He's making his handicap debut and has to be considered but People's Park has failed to make the expected progress after looking a promising type in 2016.
Peoples Park (IRE) 33-1 (10-2) In rear, no extra in moderate 5th when mistake 4 out, pulled up before next, at Navan 2m 4f hcp sft in Dec.
Eiri Na Casca (IRE) 20-1 (10-7) Held up, raced in 13th early, slight mistake 3rd, headway to chase leaders straight, kept on same pace from before last, 7th of 18, 16 1/4l behind Tisamystery (10-0) at Leopardstown 2m 1f hcp Yielding in Dec.
Sizing Titanium (IRE) 5-1cfav (11-5) Held up, 11th approaching 5th where slightly slow, closed from before straight, on terms between last 2, led from last, soon asserted, kept on, reduced lead close home, won at Navan 2m 1f hcp hvy in Dec beating Bilbo Bagins (10-13) by 1l, 12 ran.
Persian Wind (IRE) 2-1fav (11-11) Disputed lead early, led 3rd, ridden and headed after 3 out, soon weakened, 8th of 12, 31 1/2l behind Seskin Flyer (11-12) at Tramore 2m hcp hvy in Dec.
Black Zero (IRE) 25-1 (9-11) Close up, 4th after 7th, dropped to 5th 2 out, no extra, 7th of 15, 21 1/2l behind De Benno (9-12) at Limerick 2m 4f hcp hvy in Dec.
Ontopoftheworld (IRE) 20-1 (11-6) Held up, 9th after 3rd, not fluent 7th, slight mistake 4 out, no impression approaching 2 out, soon no extra, 10th of 12, 37 1/4l behind Sizing Titanium (11-5) at Navan 2m 1f hcp hvy in Dec.
Blue Empyrean (IRE) 8-1 (11-3) Led and disputed, ridden in 4th before 2 out, close up 2 out, under pressure in 2nd before last, kept on run-in, just held, 2nd of 7, 1/2l behind Peculiar Genius (10-11) at Tramore 2m hvy in Jan.
