always towards rear, never a factor
tracked leader in 2nd, ridden before 3 out, dropped to moderate 6th before 2 out, no impression
led, jumped right throughout, pushed along 3 out, strongly pressed and joined when jumped right and fell 2 out
tracked leaders in 4th, fell 4 out
rear of mid-division on inner, no impression from 3 out, never a factor
always behind, jumped right at 5th and pushed along, no impression from 4 out, never a factor
tracked leaders, pushed along in close 2nd when left 2nd 2 out, soon ridden and no impression on winner, kept on same pace in 2nd inside final furlong
mid-division on inner, headway into 5th and pushed along 3 out, left 4th next, no impression
always behind, jumped right at 5th and pushed along, no impression from 4 out, never a factor
tracked leaders on outer, jumped right at 5th, pushed along in 7th and mistake 3 out, soon ridden and no impression
tracked leaders on inner, headway to dispute lead travelling well when left in front 2 out, pushed along and clear before last, stayed on well under hands and heels inside final furlong, easily
rear of mid-division, no impression from 3 out, never a factor
mid-division, closer in 6th and pushed along 3 out, ridden in 4th and left 3rd 2 out, soon no impression on leaders
mid-division, hampered 4 out, ridden in moderate 8th 3 out, no impression
rear of mid-division, hampered 4 out, no impression from 3 out, never a factor
in rear, no impression from 3 out, some modest last progress
always towards rear, jumped right at 5th, hampered 4 out, never a factor
Henry De Bromhead runs a pair of point-to-point winners here. Whacker Clan won easily at Grennan in May while Melk Abbey went for £65,000 after scoring at Dromahane the same month. Battle Frontier was beaten in two bumpers before scoring between the flags at Ballycrystal in October. Highland Charge made a successful debut in a Fairyhouse bumper a year ago but pulled too hard on his hurdling bow at Naas. FANTASIO D'ALENE was beaten a couple of lengths by subsequent Cheltenham Grade 1 winner Vanillier over 2m3f at Naas last November and started long odds-on for a 3m Punchestown maiden in January. He was beaten a very long way into second but was found to have bled post-race and obviously wasn't right so looks the one to beat.
Andy Ru (IRE) 300-1 (11-4) Mid-division on inner, pecked 5th, pushed along and no impression after 4 out, soon no extra and no threat in straight, 13th of 18, 32 3/4l behind Vina Ardanza (11-9) at Thurles 2m mdn gd in Nov.
Back The West (IRE) 33-1 (12-2) Disputed lead until headed after 3f, chased leaders after, ridden and weakened over 4f out, tailed off, 13th of 15, dist behind Douglas Talking (12-2) at Tipperary 2m 2f gd in May.
Battle Frontier (IRE) 8-1 (11-11) Made all, 2l adv from 5out, 6l adv gng best 2out, redcd adv from last where mstk, drifted right flat, won at Ballycrystal 3m mdn sft in Oct beating What A Time (11-11) by 2l, 9 ran.
Fantasio D'alene (FR) (12-0) Tracked leader in 2nd throughout, ridden and no impression on winner 3 out, moderate 2nd from next, distant 2nd and mistake at last, 2nd of 7, dist behind Pure Genius (12-0) at Punchestown 3m mdn Soft - Heavy in Jan.
Glendaars Star (IRE) 40-1 (12-0) Mid-division, mistake 6th, 9th from halfway, dropped to rear from 4 out and soon no extra, pulled up before 2 out, at Fairyhouse 2m 4f mdn sft in Mar.
Harvey Hillstar (IRE) 200-1 (11-11) Mid-division, ridden and no impression before 3 out, kept on one pace, 9th of 18, 28l behind Favori Logique (12-0) at Roscommon 2m 4f mdn Good - Yielding in Aug.
Highland Charge (IRE) 15-8 (12-0) In touch, improved to 3rd before 6th, slight mistake 3 out, soon under pressure, slightly hampered before 2 out, weakened in 4th 2 out, 6th of 14, 23l behind Eric Bloodaxe (12-0) at Naas 2m 3f mdn Yielding - Soft in Nov.
Moonovercloon (IRE) 66-1 (12-0) Rear of mid-division on inner, bad mistake 2nd and dropped to rear, bad mistake again 3rd, no impression from 3 out, 13th of 22, 37 1/2l behind Grand Jury (12-0) at Punchestown 2m mdn Good - Yielding in Nov.
Out By Eleven (IRE) 300-1 (11-9) Mid-division , ridden and no extra after 4 out, weakened and tailed off, 19th of 22, dist behind Mythical Hero (11-9) at Cork 2m mdn sft in Nov.
Rodney Bay (IRE) 150-1 (12-0) Tracked leaders, dropped to mid-division at halfway, no impression straight, never a factor, 10th of 15, 20l behind Gringo D'aubrelle (12-0) at Fairyhouse 2m mdn gd in Nov.
The Goffer (IRE) 3-1 (11-9) Prominent, collided with rail before 2nd, 4th halfway, no impression on leaders before last, weakened run-in, 7th of 17, 5l behind Trebizond (11-9) at Roscommon 1m 7f mdn gd in Sep.
The Royal Pump (IRE) 80-1 (12-0) Keen, prominent, no extra from after 4 out, soon weakened, 13th of 17, dist behind New Ross (12-0) at Punchestown 2m 4f mdn Good - Yielding in May.
Whacker Clan (IRE) (11-11) Tr ldr, 2nd 1/2way, 2l 2nd 3out, chall ldr bef 2out & sn wo, rdn bef last, kow run-in, cosily, won at Grennan 3m mdn in May beating Jetmeoutofhere (12-2) by 8l, 15 ran.
Diamondinthemud (IRE) 3-1 (11-9) Led early, disputed lead, headed narrowly before halfway, pushed along and lost place early straight, soon weakened and eased, virtually pulled up inside final furlong, completely tailed off, 6th of 7, dist behind Harald Hardrad (12-2) at Clonmel 2m Soft - Heavy in Nov.
Lady Harper (IRE) (11-6) Rr of mid-div best, sltly hmprd 1st, reminder 5th, drpd to 11th 1/2way, rdn in 10th aftr 4out, eased bef str, 10th of 14, 34 1/2l behind Getalady (11-6) at Kirkistown 3m mdn gd in May.
Melk Abbey (IRE) (11-11) Chsd ldrs, 6l 3rd from 5th, disp from 9th, ld from 6out, 2l adv bef 3out, 3l adv gng best bef last, so flat, won at Dromahane 3m mdn sft in May beating Pegs Theatre (11-11) by 5l, 12 ran.
Simplydbest (IRE) 40-1 (11-4) Rear of mid-division, dropped to rear 4th, trailing next, never a factor, 11th of 12, dist behind Family Business (11-1) at Thurles 2m mdn Good - Yielding in Nov.
