tracked leaders on inner, slight mistakes 1st and 2nd, went 2nd from 4th, ridden in 2nd entering straight, no impression on winner after 2 out, kept on same pace run-in
tracked leaders, bad mistake 1st, ridden in moderate 3rd after 3 out, dropped to moderate 5th 2 out, no impression
tracked leaders, ridden in 5th 3 out, soon weakened
in rear, no impression on leaders from 3 out, kept on without threatening
prominent early, dropped to 5th at 4th, ridden in 4th after 3 out, moderate 3rd 2 out, soon no impression on leaders
made all, went clear from 3 out, stayed on strongly from last, easily
always behind, no impression from 3 out, never a factor
tracked leaders, dropped to 6th 3 out, soon ridden, no impression before straight
held up towards rear, moderate 7th 3 out, ridden and progress into moderate 4th 2 out, went moderate 3rd at last, kept on one paced
BALLYNACREE has far more potential than these rivals and gets the vote despite a long absence. A Grade 3 winner over hurdles at Fairyhouse in 2012, he hasn't run since December of that year but is still a youngster in chasing terms. Miley Shah had strong hurdling form but hasn't really taken to chasing so far but Back To Balloo looked to be getting his act together when unseating his rider at the second last while in front in a Leopardstown handicap. Dawerann has run poorly in both starts over fences but the experience should have done him good.
Back To Balloo (IRE) 7-1 (11-7) Took keen hold, led, bad mistake and unseated rider 2 out, in a race won by Treat Yourself (11-4) at Leopardstown 2m 1f hcp chs 0-123 hvy in Jan, 8 ran.
Ballynacree (IRE) 11-2 (11-7) Raced mainly in 4th, 3rd approaching straight, no impression and kept on same pace from 2 out, 3rd of 6, 9l behind Love Rory (11-3) at Limerick 2m 4yo hdl hvy in Dec '12.
Butney Rock 6-1 (11-12) Rear of mid-division, pushed along after 4 out and no extra from 2 out, 8th of 11, 30l behind Doesheeverstop (11-4) at Down Royal 2m 6f mdn hdl in Nov.
Dan's Rolls (IRE) 16-1 (11-12) Led, wandered approaching 2nd, headed before 4 out, ridden in 3rd and slight mistake 3 out, no extra before next, 9th of 25, 15l behind Drumlee (11-12) at Navan 2m mdn hdl.
Juan De Gracia (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, ridden in 7th 4 out, moderate 6th and no impression 3 out where jumped right, soon no extra, 8th of 15, well behind Leavethelighton (11-9) at Gowran Park 2m 2f beg chase hvy in Feb.
Miley Shah (IRE) 20-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, 2nd 6 out, mistake next and again when under pressure 4 out, weakened to remote 5th 3 out, no impression, 5th of 9, 50l behind Rogue Angel (11-11) at Punchestown 3m beg chs hvy in Dec.
Silver Shuffle (IRE) 50-1 (11-9) Mid-division, mistake 2nd, weakened before 4 out, 11th of 16, well behind Moscow Mannon (11-12) at Naas 2m beg chase in Feb.
Dawerann (IRE) 12-1 (11-1) Always towards rear, weakened 6 out, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Cadspeed (11-12) at Thurles 3m beg chase hvy in Feb, 8 ran.
Pipe Down (IRE) 66-1 (11-3) Mid-division, mistake 1st, moderate 9th 4 out, no impression next, 6th of 16, well behind Moscow Mannon (11-12) at Naas 2m beg chase in Feb.