raced in 11th early, headway to challenge and on terms 2 out, led run-in and stayed on well
not fluent 1st, waited with, 20th early, no impression before 2 out
raced in 4th early, pushed along briefly after 4th, lost place and no extra before 2 out
raced in 8th early, headway and effort straight, kept on without matching winner run-in
raced in 7th early, almost on terms approaching straight, soon pushed along and one pace
raced in 13th early, headway on inner straight, switched right between last 2 to outer, kept on without threatening run-in
mid-division early, no impression before 2 out
waited with, 19th early, slight mistake 5th, no impression before 2 out
prominent, on terms approaching straight, headed run-in, one pace
led, not fluent 2nd, soon went on, reduced lead and joined approaching straight, soon headed, weakened and mistake last
waited with and 17th early, headway straight, one pace last
waited with towards rear, no impression before 2 out
raced in 6th early, slight mistake 2nd, pushed along after 5th, lost place and no extra before 2 out
waited with and 18th early, pushed along briefly approaching 5th, kept on same pace without threatening straight
waited with and 14th early, headway straight, one pace last
took keen hold early and raced in 10th, progress and slightly impeded early straight, kept on without matching principals run-in
prominent, on terms approaching straight, headed from 2 out, one pace after
raced in 12th early, some headway but no impression when bad mistake and unseated rider 2 out
waited with, raced in 15th early, no impression before 2 out
raced in 5th early, effort straight, kept on without matching principals run-in
waited with and 16th early, headway straight, one pace last
raced in 9th early, effort straight, one pace last
Muhaafiz had BYTHESAMETOKEN three lengths behind when scoring with a bit in hand over the track and trip but the runner-up is 9lb better off and should turn the tables. Aarons Day was very impressive when scoring over 2m4f at Fairyhouse so it's a surprise to see him dropping back to the minimum. Lord Erskine has had very little racing in recent years but has looked a smart handicapper and Rachael Blackmore's presence suggests he could be ready after a long break. Canadian Steel wins his share of races but his best form is over further. Goodbye Someday looked ready to gain his first success when runner-up at Cork but was carried out at Leopardstown in December.
Aarons Day (IRE) 11-8fav (11-12) A little keen, chased leaders, 8th after halfway, slightly bumped 3 out, soon closed up travelling smoothly, led approaching 2 out, quickly asserted, slight mistake last, stayed on well, easily, won at Fairyhouse 2m 4f mdn Yielding in Jan beating Castlegrange (11-12) by 9l, 18 ran.
Lord Erskine (IRE) 5-2 (11-2) Held up towards rear, closer in 5th after 4 out, improved into 2nd after 2 out, ridden before last, closed on leader last, no impression run-in, kept on same pace, 2nd of 7, 2 1/4l behind Pleasure Dome (11-0) at Ballinrobe 2m 6f gd in Jul.
Vocarium (IRE) 16-1 (11-3) Tracked leaders on inner, 3rd entering straight, ridden in 4th 2 out, no impression, 5th of 16, 11 3/4l behind Wolfofallstreets (9-10) at Naas 2m hcp Yielding - Soft in Jan.
Ardamir (FR) 33-1 (8-12) Pulled hard early, held up in touch, pushed along 4f out, weakened inside final 2f, 7th of 8, 20l behind Early Summer (9-5) at Lingfield 2m 4f hcp (5) gf in Jul.
Chesterfield King (IRE) 9-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, slight mistake 3 out, 7th 2 out, soon ridden and no impression, 9th of 25, 14 1/4l behind Park Paddocks (10-12) at Punchestown 2m hcp Yielding - Soft in Apr.
Goodbye Someday (IRE) 6-1 (11-5) Mid-division early, slight mistake 1st, 11th at 3rd, hampered 7th and forced out, at Leopardstown 2m 4f hcp sft in Dec.
Baba Boom (IRE) 33-1 (11-10) Mid-division best, slight mistake 5th, ridden and no extra before 3 out, 9th of 19, 19 1/2l behind Department Of War (11-10) at Down Royal 2m 1f mdn sft in Jan.
Dessie's Diamond (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) Mid-division, lost position after 4th, in rear from 4 out, never a factor, 15th of 16, dist behind Wolfofallstreets (9-10) at Naas 2m hcp Yielding - Soft in Jan.
Greenpanda (IRE) 66-1 (11-5) Waited with, raced in 19th early, soon 22nd, no impression straight, 19th of 25, dist behind Exit Poll (11-12) at Fairyhouse 2m mdn Yielding in Jan.
Pound A Stroke (IRE) 6-1 (10-6) Waited with early, 6th after 1st, slightly impeded 2nd, not fluent 3rd, slight mistake 4th, soon closed, slightly slow at 6th, pushed along briefly in last from 8th, soon no impression, pulled up before 2 out, at Fairyhouse 2m 1f hcp Yielding - Soft in Jan.
Song Of Namibia (IRE) 20-1 (11-10) Rear of mid-division, pushed along and 10th 2 out, no impression approaching last, kept on one pace, 10th of 18, 13 1/4l behind Muhaafiz (10-9) at Naas 2m hcp Good - Yielding in Feb.
Canadian Steel (IRE) 7-1 (10-13) Always towards rear, not fluent 1st, pushed along in rear after 3 out, soon no extra, weakened, completely tailed off, last of 8, dist behind Nibblers Charm (11-3) at Downpatrick 2m 5f Good - Yielding in Sep.
Carnet De Stage (IRE) 8-1 (10-9) In touch, 4th after 6th, pushed along to 3rd 2 out, ridden and kept on same pace run-in, 3rd of 8, 7 1/4l behind Southerner (10-11) at Limerick 2m 3f hcp Soft - Heavy in Dec.
Saol Iontach (IRE) 9-2jfav (11-5) Held up in mid-division, ridden and no impression 3 out, 10th of 17, 25 3/4l behind So Near So Farhh (10-8) at Down Royal 2m 1f hcp sft in Jan.
Lost Oscar (IRE) 10-1 (10-1) Mid-division on inner, slight mistake 4th and pushed along, no impression from 4 out, never a factor, 11th of 16, 31 3/4l behind Wolfofallstreets (9-10) at Naas 2m hcp Yielding - Soft in Jan.
Bythesametoken (IRE) 11-4fav (11-0) Mid-division, slight mistake 2nd, headway early straight, not clear run between final 2 and 6th at last, ridden and kept on well run-in to go 2nd final 100 yards, 2nd of 18, 3l behind Muhaafiz (10-9) at Naas 2m hcp Good - Yielding in Feb.
Muhaafiz (IRE) 7-1 (10-9) Disputed lead early, remained prominent and led before 4 out, pushed along to assert after 2 out and 3 lengths clear before last, kept on well run-in, won at Naas 2m hcp Good - Yielding in Feb beating Bythesametoken (11-0) by 3l, 18 ran.
Resurrected Duke (IRE) 40-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders on inner and took keen hold early, headway to led after 2nd, headed before 3 out, jumped right 3 out, dropped to 4th and under pressure entering straight, no impression, 6th of 21, dist behind Asterion Forlonge (11-12) at Naas 2m mdn Good - Yielding in Jan.
Colour Me In (IRE) 7-2jfav (10-12) Prominent, disputed from 2nd, led 5 out, joined before 3 out, ridden and headed after 3 out, under pressure in 4th 2 out, soon no extra, 6th of 12, dist behind Key Commander (11-4) at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp Soft - Heavy in Jan.
Schedar (IRE) 33-1 (10-11) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, some headway early straight and 2nd when slight mistake 2 out, soon lost place and dropped to 7th at last, ridden and kept on run-in to go 4th close home, 4th of 18, 9 3/4l behind Muhaafiz (10-9) at Naas 2m hcp Good - Yielding in Feb.
Dreamy Leamy (IRE) 40-1 (11-3) In rear, slight mistakes 3rd and 4th, went 5th and ridden 3 out, soon weakened, 8th of 12, 32l behind Our Roxane (11-12) at Gowran Park 2m hcp Soft - Heavy in Jan.
Jiving Jerry (IRE) 12-1 (11-2) Mid-division, some headway on inner entering straight and slightly hampered 2 out, ridden and no impression in 6th approaching last, kept on one pace, 6th of 18, 17 1/2l behind The Chapel Field (11-4) at Thurles 2m hcp sft in Nov.
Morning Skye (IRE) 8-1 (10-10) Mid-division, 7th entering straight, ridden in 5th on outer 2 out, kept on same pace inside final furlong, 4th of 16, 7l behind Wolfofallstreets (9-10) at Naas 2m hcp Yielding - Soft in Jan.
