tracked leaders, 4th halfway, closer early straight, no impression approaching last, kept on one pace run-in
chased leader in 3rd, reminders 4 out, driven along to go 2nd before 2 out, no impression on winner from before last, dropped to 3rd run-in
held up towards rear, closer early straight, ridden to go 3rd when mistake last, kept on under pressure run-in but no chance with winner
held up towards rear, some headway approaching 2 out, soon no impression under pressure
mid-division on inner, 5th halfway, pushed along in touch when not fluent 2 out, soon no extra
tracked leaders when mistake 2nd, 6th halfway, some headway approaching 2 out, soon no extra
tracked leader in 2nd, ridden and dropped to 3rd before 2 out, 4th and no impression when slight mistake last, kept on one pace
made all, extended advantage to 4 lengths travelling well 2 out, kept on well from before last, easily
Noel Meade won this when it was last run in 2009 with Go Native and is doubly represented here. Prima Vista looks the main hope for the yard but he will need to make major improvement after his defeat in a Leopardstown handicap. Darwins Fox is a very nice prospect and he had plenty in hand when beating Tornedo Shay over the C&D last month, though the slow pace may have been the downfall of the runner-up. Willie Mullins has a trio of representatives and jockey bookings suggest that DAY OF A LIFETIME is the stable pick. It was only a maiden that he won at Leopardstown last month but he did it in impressive style and is quickly promoted to this level before a visit to Cheltenham. The remainder will all need to improve to get involved but it would be no great shock if any of them were to do so.
Aughaloor (IRE) 1-2fav (11-6) Chased leaders, moderate 3rd from 4 out, ridden to close from 2 out, no impression and kept on same pace run-in, 3rd of 7, 1 1/2l behind Smokey Joe Joe (11-4) at Limerick 2m 3f nov hdl hvy in Jan.
Jim Will Fix It (IRE) 11-2 (11-12) Close up, led from 5th, strongly pressed after 3 out, headed approaching 2 out, weakened quickly before last, eased, 9th of 25, 25l behind Old McDonald (11-12) at Naas 2m 3f mdn hdl in Jan.
Prima Vista 7-2fav (10-13) Mid-division, 9th 3 out, headway to join issue next, 4th under pressure early straight, no extra run-in, 7th of 26, 8l behind Final Approach (10-9) at Leopardstown 2m hcp hdl 0-145 sft in Jan.
Tornedo Shay (IRE) 3-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders in 3rd, not fluent jumping, ridden before 2 out, no impression, kept on same pace, 3rd of 7, 10l behind Gagewell Flyer (11-8) at Punchestown 2m nov hdl Grade 2 (1) sft in Jan.
White Star Line (IRE) 7-1 (11-7) Settled towards rear, 7th halfway, smooth headway into close 3rd early straight, went 2nd and pushed along before last, kept on run-in but no chance with winner, 2nd of 8, 2 1/2l behind Sir Des Champs (11-10) at Navan 2m hdl sft in Jan.
Darwins Fox (FR) 7-2 (11-3) Tracked leaders in 4th, 3rd after 2 out, quickened to lead last, ran on well, comfortably, won at Naas 2m lst nov hdl (4yo+) (1) in Jan beating Tornedo Shay (11-9) by 3 1/2l, 7 ran.
Four Commanders (IRE) 5-4fav (11-4) Made virtually all, jumped very well, joined 3 out, ridden to regain lead next, kept on well from last, won at Thurles 2m 5yo mdn hdl hvy beating Shifa (11-7) by 1 3/4l, 18 ran.
Dare To Doubt 8-11fav (11-7) Made all, not fluent 3 out, clear before next, stayed on well, easily, won at Limerick 2m 3f mares mdn hdl hvy in Jan beating Country Flora (11-7) by 14l, 18 ran.
Day Of A Lifetime (IRE) 10-3fav (11-12) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, travelled well entering straight, improved to challenge last, ridden to lead run-in, kept on well, comfortably, won at Leopardstown 2m mdn hdl sft in Jan beating Gift Of Dgab (11-12) by 2 1/2l, 21 ran.
Monastrell 7-2 (11-5) Led, headed before 3rd, 2nd halfway, ridden 3 out, challenged in 2nd 2 out, no extra in 3rd when mistake and unseated rider last, in a race won by Tharawaat (11-12) at Down Royal 2m 4f beg chs hvy in Dec, 10 ran.
