chased leader in 2nd, disputed and 5 lengths clear of field before 4 out, ridden in 2nd and reduced advantage entering straight, no extra before 2 out
chased leaders, slight mistake 1st, soon mid-division, dropped towards rear 4 out, ridden and no impression next
held up early, mid-division in 6th halfway, progress entering straight, 3rd 2 out, ridden before last, no impression run-in, kept on same pace
always towards rear, ridden and no extra 3 out
mid-division early, towards rear and slight mistake 4th, mistake 4 out, ridden and no impression next
soon chased leaders, 5th halfway, ridden into 4th entering straight, no extra in 5th 2 out, kept on one pace
held up, mid-division in 8th halfway, ridden and no impression before straight, kept on one pace
chased leaders, 4th halfway, closer in 3rd and mistake 3 out, challenged before 2 out, ridden to lead before last where slight mistake, kept on under pressure run-in, pressed close home
mid-division, 7th halfway, ridden and no impression before straight, kept on one pace
led, disputed and 5 lengths clear of field before 4 out, led at reduced advantage entering straight, pressed before 2 out where ridden, headed before last where slight mistake, kept on again run-in, pressed winner close home
chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden in 5th entering straight, under pressure in 4th 2 out, no extra before last and kept on one pace
mid-division, 10th haflway, ridden and no extra 3 out
FRONTLINE was well supported at Fairyhouse on New Year's Day and landed the gamble though not without almost unseating Davy Russell at the last. He's up 8lb for this but looks progressive and can complete a quick double. Some Article has been disappointing but makes his handicap debut on a fair mark so shouldn't be overlooked despite a long absence. Westerners Son returned after a long break to make virtually all over 2m2f at Leopardstown where he had Miradene behind though the latter should get much closer on the revised terms. Good As Gold couldn't quite get to High Expectations here a couple of weeks ago and though it was a good effort she's only won once in 27 starts. Moreece would probably have won that latter event but for falling two out and he looks the main threat though he's yet to win in 19 carer starts.
Princeton Plains (IRE) 25-1 (11-5) Always towards rear, never a factor, pushed along and no impression approaching 3 out, 10th of 12, well behind Fosters Cross (10-10) at Thurles 2m hcp hdl hvy in Dec.
Sir Ector (USA) 14-1 (11-4) Always towards rear, ridden and no impression before straight, 19th of 21, 45l behind Shabra's Bertolini (9-8) at Navan 2m hcp hdl 8Evens23 in Dec.
Frontline (IRE) 7-2fav (11-0) Tracked leaders, 5th halfway, 4th travelling well 2 out, improved to dispute lead when bad mistake at last, pushed along run-in, stayed on well under hands and heels to lead close home, cosily, won at Fairyhouse 2m hcp hdl sft beating Asitsohappens (11-7) by 1 3/4l, 12 ran.
Some Article (IRE) 15-8fav (11-12) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, mistake 6 out, ridden in 4th 2 out, no impression before last, kept on one pace, 4th of 16, 8l behind Bendanella (11-4) at Wexford 2m 2f mdn hdl sft in Oct '13.
Earlson Gray (FR) 25-1 (11-9) Rear, no impression from 3 out, never a factor, 14th of 17, 50l behind Lite Duties (11-2) at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp hdl in Dec.
Miradane 16-1 (11-9) Soon chased leaders, 9th early, moderate 3rd before straight, moderate 2nd at last, one pace run-in, 3rd of 21, 7l behind Westerners Son (10-9) at Leopardstown 2m 2f hcp hdl 80-116 sft in Dec.
Rocky Wednesday (IRE) 9-1 (10-13) Held up towards rear, ridden in moderate 9th after 3 out, no impression, 7th of 12, 23l behind Frontline (11-0) at Fairyhouse 2m hcp hdl sft.
A Grey Matter (IRE) 8-1 (10-12) Mid-division, 7th halfway, progress entering straight, ridden in 3rd and slight mistake last, no extra run-in, 5th of 13, 8l behind Shemshal (11-5) at Leopardstown 2m nov hcp hdl sft in Dec.
Sardinia (IRE) 25-1 (11-8) Not fluent 1st, soon towards rear, slight mistake 2nd, no impression from 3 out, tailed off, 14th of 21, well behind Westerners Son (10-9) at Leopardstown 2m 2f hcp hdl 80-116 sft in Dec.
Westerners Son (IRE) 16-1 (10-9) Led, headed after 3 out, chasing leader when not fluent 2 out, dropped to moderate 5th before straight, moderate 3rd at last, ran on well run-in to lead again on line, won at Leopardstown 2m 2f hcp hdl 80-116 sft in Dec beating Follow The Sign (11-2) by ns, 21 ran.
Good As Gold 10-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders in 3rd, left 2nd 2 out, ridden in 3rd at last, soon 2nd, stayed on well under pressure run-in to press winner to line, 2nd of 11, 1/2l behind High Expectations (10-7) at Naas 2m cond hcap hdle sft.
Moreece (IRE) 4-1fav (11-4) Tracked leader in 2nd, every chance in close 2nd when fell 2 out, in a race won by High Expectations (10-7) at Naas 2m cond hcap hdle sft, 11 ran.
