rear of mid-division, close 6th 3 out, went 4th 2 out, soon ridden, led after last, kept on under pressure inside final furlong, headed and no extra close home
towards rear, mistake 5th, ridden after 2 out, no impression, kept on without threatening run-in
made most, joined briefly 4th and led again 5th, joined again 3 out, ridden next, headed after last, rallied well and stayed on well to regain lead close home
tracked leaders, improved to dispute lead 3 out, soon ridden, headed before last, no extra run-in
tracked leaders on outer, 5th halfway, mistake 8th and dropped to rear briefly, headway into close 3rd on outer 2 out, soon ridden, close 2nd at last, no extra in 3rd inside final furlong
held up in rear, bad mistake at 1st, pushed along briefly at 6th, ridden and no impression from 3 out, never a factor
tracked leader in 2nd, disputed lead briefly 4th and headed next, weakened from 3 out
tracked leaders, 4th 3 out, soon ridden, no impression straight
mid-division, bumped at 3rd, ridden from 8th, soon weakened
Close Shave has been in excellent form all winter and battled all the way to the line to score at Fairyhouse. He's now on his highest ever mark while Peoples Park has been looking a bit high since landing a very strong Fairyhouse handicap just over a year ago. Wishmoor came here last month and recorded his first victory over fences, with Bilko 8l behind. He's been raised 7lb but is still on a lower mark than over hurdles. Kopookris hadn't shown much over fences but attracted support at Thurles and duly obliged. He's probably capable of better so can get into the frame though BILBO BAGINS gets the nod. Adrian Maguire's charge overcame jumping problems to score at Punchestown and as that was only his fourth start over fences can make enough progress to go in again.
Close Shave 6-5fav (11-7) Tracked leaders in 3rd, took keen hold and mistake 2nd, close 3rd 2 out, soon ridden, went 2nd before last, stayed on well inside final furlong to lead on line, won at Fairyhouse 2m 4f sft in Jan beating Ballela Boy (11-3) by hd, 5 ran.
Peoples Park (IRE) 8-1 (11-10) Led early, headed 5th, not fluent in 2nd 2 out and soon ridden, 3rd at last, kept on same pace run-in, 3rd of 7, 4 1/4l behind Blue Empyrean (10-3) at Naas 2m hcp Soft - Heavy in Jan.
Wishmoor (IRE) 7-2 (11-1) Prominent and disputed, led 5th, ridden and joined 2 out, slight mistake last, kept on well run-in and edged ahead close home, won at Naas 2m 4f hcp Soft - Heavy in Jan beating The Informer (10-0) by 4l, 7 ran.
Bilko (FR) 7-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden and dropped to rear but still close 2 out, under pressure and left 6th last, stayed on run into 3rd close home, 3rd of 7, 8l behind Wishmoor (11-1) at Naas 2m 4f hcp Soft - Heavy in Jan.
Kopookris (IRE) 7-1 (10-9) Rear of mid-division, pushed along and no impression before straight, 9th 2 out, headway approaching last where hampered and left in front, ridden and kept on well run-in, won at Thurles 2m 6f hcp hvy in Jan beating Fire In His Eyes (11-0) by 1 1/2l, 11 ran.
Bilbo Bagins (IRE) 9-2 (11-12) Held up towards rear, slightly hampered 4 out, some headway before next where slight mistake, progress to lead after 2 out and 4 lengths clear before last where mistake, strongly pressed run-in, kept on well close home, won at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp Soft - Heavy in Jan beating Simple Steps (11-1) by 1/2l, 10 ran.
Kilford (IRE) 8-1 (11-9) Chased leaders, improved to dispute lead after 5th, headed before 7th where not fluent, 4th halfway, soon lost place and weakened, mistake 5 out and ridden, no impression in 5th from 2 out, 5th of 9, 34 3/4l behind Toushan (11-10) at Limerick 2m 7f hcp hvy in Dec.
Black Zero (IRE) 7-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, ridden after 3 out, soon no impression, 6th of 7, 11 1/2l behind Blue Empyrean (10-3) at Naas 2m hcp Soft - Heavy in Jan.
First To Boogie (IRE) 16-1 (11-4) Held up, 14th after 3rd, 13th approaching 6th, progress to chase leaders and tight for room on inner run-in, soon switched right and kept on same pace closing stages, 5th of 19, 10 1/4l behind Spider Web (10-7) at Leopardstown 2m 5f hcp Yielding - Soft in Dec.
