towards rear on outer, no impression from 4 out, never a factor
always towards rear, never a factor
tracked leaders, ridden in 4th before 2 out, kept on same pace in moderate 4th from before last
rear of mid-division, moderate 14th entering straight, kept on without threatening, never nearer
mid-division, pushed along and closer in 5th before 2 out, soon no impression
mid-division, no impression from 4 out, never a factor
tracked leaders in 4th, went 3rd after 4 out, headway to lead 2 out, soon ridden, stayed on well run-in
mid-division on inner, moderate 8th entering straight, soon pushed along, no impression
rear of mid-division on outer, moderate 10th entering straight, kept on one pace
disputed lead early, headed 2nd, dropped to 3rd and pushed along 2 out, soon ridden, 2nd at last, kept on under pressure inside final furlong
always towards rear, slight mistake 3rd, never a factor
rear of mid-division, no impression from 4 out, never a factor
tracked leaders, slight mistake 5th, ridden in 7th 2 out, no impression
always towards rear, never a factor
always towards rear, never a factor
mid-division, no impression from 4 out, never a factor
mid-division on outer, no impression from 4 out, never a factor
mid-division, ridden in moderate 9th entering straight, no impression
always behind, mistakes early, never a factor
disputed lead early, led from 2nd, slight mistake 4th, not fluent 3 out, ridden and headed 2 out, 3rd at last, no extra run-in
Leading owner J P McManus has four entries with Listowel bumper winner Drop The Anchor looking the pick. A full-brother to two winning jumpers, he was well supported and stayed on very strongly to win easily so has to be respected. Empire Escape was beaten a very long way when third in a Kirkistown point in March but has a fine pedigree for jumping unlike FACE THE FACTS. However, Willie Mullins' new recruit won a Listed contest at Newmarket for John Gosden last year and though returning from a long absence that's rarely a problem for one from his yard. Thurles bumper winner Young Ted made an encouraging start over timber at Navan when staying on nicely over the minimum while Secret Cargo ran easily his best race to date when stepped up to 2m4f at Wexford, though will need to improve again. Embrun Mitja has been bought by Gigginstown after scoring on testing ground over 2m1f on the Flat in France in March
Arthur's Quay (IRE) Beat Hollow gelding out of Bannow Girl.
Beginagain (IRE) 50-1 (11-2) Waited with, 15th halfway, no impression from 5th, 11th of 16, 36 1/4l behind The Moyglass Flyer (11-2) at Thurles 2m mdn gd in Nov.
Charmed Life (IRE) 7-1 (11-7) Settled behind leaders, slight mistake 2nd, 7th halfway, ridden and no impression entering straight, kept on one pace, 7th of 20, 37 3/4l behind Sams Profile (11-7) at Cork 2m mdn Yielding in Nov.
Cruises Street (IRE) Milan gelding out of A Country Girl.
Drop The Anchor (IRE) 7-2fav (11-7) Mid-division early, 10th halfway, headway and effort on outer straight, led under 1f out, soon asserted and stayed on well, won at Listowel 2m Yielding - Soft in Sep beating Kerrkenny Gold (11-7) by 3l, 17 ran.
Eagle Roque (FR) 50-1 (11-9) Waited with, 12th after 2nd, not fluent 3rd, no impression approaching straight, not fluent 2 out, one pace, 9th of 20, 34 3/4l behind Lone Wolf (11-12) at Fairyhouse 2m 2f mdn gd in Dec.
Embrun Mitja (FR) Anzillero gelding out of Italique De Cotte.
Empire Escape (IRE) 2-1 (11-11) Mid-div, some prog 4th 4out, 3rd 2out & no ex bef last, ko, 3rd of 7, dist behind Long After Dark (11-11) at Kirkistown 3m mdn hvy in Mar.
Everyone's Invited (IRE) Oscar gelding out of Collou.
Face The Facts (IRE) 8-1 (9-7) Held up towards rear, ridden over 2f out, never dangerous, 10th of 13, 9 1/4l behind Brimham Rocks (8-8) at York 1m 6f hcp (2) gd in Oct.
Gilderthorpe (IRE) Scorpion gelding out of Cyclone's Sister.
Lord Fitzwilliam (IRE) Dubai Destination gelding out of Katy Mckay.
Opportunity Knox (IRE) 4-1 (11-6) Chsd ldr, keen, bd mstk 5th, ld 7th, wknd qckly 5out, bhnd & pu aftr 4out, at Tattersalls Farm 3m mdn sft in Dec.
Organised Solution (FR) 25-1 (11-7) Mid-division, went moderate 3rd 3 out, no impression after next, no extra, 4th of 8, 24l behind Commander Of Fleet (11-7) at Punchestown 2m 5f mdn gd in Nov.
Percy B Shelley 66-1 (11-7) Mid-division, 12th 3 out, no impression, never a factor, 10th of 29, 36 1/4l behind Buildmeupbuttercup (11-0) at Navan 2m mdn gd in Dec.
Secret Cargo (IRE) 33-1 (11-2) Held up behind leaders, slight mistake 3rd, moderate 4th halfway, slight mistake 5 out, closer 4 out, ridden in 3rd entering straight, no impression on leaders 2 out, kept on run-in to go 2nd close home, 2nd of 12, 10l behind Barwell (11-7) at Wexford 2m 4f mdn Yielding in Oct.
St John's Square (IRE) Milan gelding out of Back Me Up.
Tale Of Woe (IRE) 66-1 (11-9) Chased leaders, 5th after 2nd, slight mistake 3rd, 6th from 4th, no impression approaching straight, slight mistake 2 out, one pace, 8th of 20, 27 3/4l behind Lone Wolf (11-12) at Fairyhouse 2m 2f mdn gd in Dec.
You Bank (IRE) 100-1 (9-10) Always towards rear, ridden and weakened over 3f out, last of 12, dist behind Dawn Trouper (9-5) at Dundalk 1m 4f mdn pol in Nov.
Young Ted (IRE) 7-1 (11-7) Mid-division on inner, 8th 3 out, pushed along in 6th next, went 5th at last, kept on without threatening, never nearer, 4th of 29, 6l behind Buildmeupbuttercup (11-0) at Navan 2m mdn gd in Dec.
Felicity's Choice (IRE) 100-1 (11-9) Rear of mid-division, no impression from 4f out, never a factor, 11th of 14, dist behind Envoi Allen (11-9) at Fairyhouse 2m gd in Dec.
