Heavy ground will make this a real test but that shouldn't bother WELSH NAYBER, a moderate performer on the Flat who has done very well over timber finishing not too far behind very promising performers at Leopardstown. He can open his account here at the chief expense of Some Article, a winning bumper who made a promising debut over hurdles at Navan but was forced out at the first at Leopardstown two weeks ago. It's hard to imagine any of the others with experience troubling the principals so newcomer Run With The Tide, who is by Milan out of a winning jumper, may give them most to do and is one to note in the betting.
Definite Daly (IRE) 50-1 (11-2) Towards rear, pushed along 5th, never a factor, 13th of 16, well behind Mister Hotelier (11-4) at Fairyhouse 2m mdn hdl hvy in Jan.
Harlekin 9-2 (11-7) Ww rr, 9th aftr a mile, sl prog in 6th aftr 3out, wknd well aftr 3ut & bhnd when pu well bef 2out, in a race won by Carraig Mor (11-7) at Ballindenisk 3m ire ptp hvy in Dec, 11 ran.
Long House Island (IRE) 6-1 (12-0) Alw twrds rr, ko bhnd til pu 2out, in a race won by Bendanella (12-0) at Ballinaboola 3m ire ptp sft in Jan, 16 ran.
Pivot Bridge 14-1 (11-10) Mid-division, no impression from 3 out, 8th of 16, 41l behind King Of Firth (11-12) at Fairyhouse 2m mdn hdl hvy in Jan.
Run With The Tide (IRE) Milan gelding out of Cullian.
Some Article (IRE) 10-3 (11-10) Chased leaders, ran out through rail after 1st, in a race won by Legal Exit (11-12) at Leopardstown 2m mdn hdl in Jan, 20 ran.
Toubaloo (IRE) Shantou gelding out of Stone Baloo.
Carrow Queen (IRE) 14-1 (10-11) Towards rear, no impression under pressure and kept on same pace from 2f out, 6th of 8, 23l behind Prideofthecastle (11-9) at Limerick 2m N H flat hvy in Dec.
Garron Crest (IRE) 33-1 (11-2) Always behind, 10th of 13, well behind Annie Oakley (11-2) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f mares mdn hdl hvy in Jan.
Hurricane Sky (IRE) 14-1 (10-12) Mid-division, no threat from before 3 out, weakened, last of 15, well behind Everything Zain (10-12) at Thurles 2m 3yo mdn hdl in Oct.
Welsh Nayber 10-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, ridden in 2nd 2 out, no impression on winner entering straight, dropped to 3rd near line, 3rd of 13, 8l behind Fatcatinthehat (11-0) at Leopardstown 2m 4yo mdn hdl hvy in Jan.
Whispering Down (IRE) 16-1 (8-11) Chased leaders, ridden in 2nd 2f out, weakened final furlong, 7th of 14, 8l behind Cottesloe (9-7) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp 47-65 pol in Dec (flat).
