chased leaders, 3rd halfway, challenged 2 out, soon ridden, left close 3rd last, no extra run-in, kept on one pace and lost 3rd close home
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
prominent and disputed, led 5th, ridden and joined 2 out, slight mistake last, kept on well run-in and edged ahead close home
held up, slight mistake 1st, 5th halfway, slight mistake 5 out, ridden to challenge entering straight, no extra before last, kept on one pace
held up towards rear, ridden to challenge entering straight, disputed 2 out, under pressure and half length down when fell last
held up, slight mistake 6 out, pushed along briefly and progress entering straight, challenged 2 out, ridden and disputed before last, kept on run-in, no extra in 2nd close home
led and disputed, headed and mistake 5th, ridden entering straight, close up and challenging 2 out, no extra before last, kept on one pace
SURF INSTRUCTOR (NAP) was having only his second start over fences when getting up close home at Limerick. His rider had lost his irons after a bad mistake at the last and he was better value than the winning margin suggests. Thirsty Work has yet to win over fences and was beaten a long way when runner-up at Punchestown but The Informer ploughed through the mud to gain a comfortable victory at Down Royal and, though 10lb higher, is still on a lower mark than over hurdles. Wishmoor and Bilko are in the same ownership with the former running much better than the latter at Punchestown last time.
Surf Instructor (IRE) 9-2 (11-3) Prominent early before settling in 3rd, not fluent 6 out and dropped to 4th after next, took closer order after 3 out and ridden in 2nd before next, mistake and almost unseated last, rider lost irons, rallied and kept on best to lead close home, won at Limerick 2m 2f hvy in Dec beating Ballela Boy (11-3) by 1/2l, 6 ran.
Bilko (FR) 10-1 (11-9) Towards rear, never a factor, no impression 3 out and no extra before next, kept on one pace in straight, 6th of 12, 34 3/4l behind Glencairn View (10-12) at Punchestown 3m 1f hcp Soft - Heavy in Jan.
Wishmoor (IRE) 10-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, headway approaching 3 out, ridden and no impression after 2 out, no extra run-in, 4th of 12, 13 1/4l behind Glencairn View (10-12) at Punchestown 3m 1f hcp Soft - Heavy in Jan.
Thirsty Work (IRE) 4-1 (11-10) Mid-division, closer 2 out, pushed along and no impression in 3rd early straight, left 2nd and hampered last, no extra, 2nd of 9, 19l behind Robin Des Mana (11-9) at Punchestown 2m hcp Soft - Heavy in Dec.
Next Bend (IRE) 33-1 (11-3) Held up, 5th at 5th, moderate 6th approaching straight and no impression, kept on same pace, 4th of 8, 25 1/2l behind Goose Man (11-3) at Navan 2m 4f hvy in Dec.
The Informer (IRE) 7-1 (11-4) Settled behind leaders early, 5th halfway, improved into 2nd after 4 out, travelled well to challenge after 3 out, led before last, ridden and kept on well run-in, won at Down Royal 2m 4f hcp hvy in Dec beating Moonlone Lane (11-4) by 4 1/2l, 14 ran.
Asitsohappens (IRE) 33-1 (11-3) Tracked leader, 3rd at 6th where not fluent, 2nd at 8th, ridden and dropped to 4th before 2 out, no extra, 4th of 10, 23l behind Cappacurry Zak (11-3) at Limerick 2m 7f hvy in Dec.
