prominent in chasing group, one or two slight mistakes, closed to challenge and on terms 3 out, headed next, no extra in 3rd approaching last, kept on same pace
led and clear, reducing lead from before straight, headed and no extra 3 out, weakened, pulled up before last
waited with in mid-division, closed from before 4 out, challenged travelling well straight, in front 2 out, pressed and headed before last, soon no chance with easy winner
chased leaders, 4th into straight, no extra from before 2 out
chased leaders, 5th into straight, no impression under pressure and kept on same pace from 2 out
waited with towards rear, 6th and closing into straight, no impression under pressure and kept on same pace from 2 out
towards rear for most, no extra straight
waited with in rear, 7th and closing into straight, strong run to lead from before last, soon clear, stayed on well, easily
Bay Of Kotor won this last year but is much higher in the weights despite hardly picking his feet up recently. El Mondo arrived from France with a tall reputation but hasn't shown much though he takes a big drop in class. He may just need a confidence booster after falling twice so it's IS HERSELF ABOUT, who hasn't been beaten far in her last two starts and has plenty of scope, who gets the vote under Paul Carberry. Matsukaze has very little to recommend him apart from his connections and though Kilavalley is likely to be fancied he looks vulnerable with his big weight.
Kilavalley (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, off the pace, closer in 4th before 3 out, no impression and kept on same pace from before straight, 4th of 9, 24l behind Shrapnel (11-12) at Fairyhouse 2m hdl sft in Nov.
Madame Mado (FR) 14-1 (11-3) Mid-division on outer, 3rd halfway, no extra approaching 3 out and dropped towards rear, eased when beaten from 2 out, tailed off, 7th of 8, well behind Tarla (10-13) at Punchestown 2m 2f hdl G3 (1) hvy in Oct.
Rocky Wednesday (IRE) 25-1 (11-12) Towards rear for most, ridden and no impression 3 out, 6th of 8, 35l behind Dylan Ross (11-12) at Navan 2m beg chs in Nov.
Bay Of Kotor (IRE) 25-1 (9-11) Chased leader, 3rd halfway, ridden and weakened 3 out, tailed off, 13th of 14, well behind King Of Queens (10-12) at Fairyhouse 2m hcp hdl sft.
Silas Mariner (IRE) 20-1 (11-11) Led and disputed until headed before 3rd, disputed again 5 out until 3 out, soon no extra and weakened early straight, 9th of 13, 37l behind Jenari (11-11) at Naas 2m beg chs sft in Oct.
Is Herself About (IRE) 5-1 (11-8) Tracked leaders, 4th entering straight, soon ridden, close 3rd 2 out, no extra before last, 5th of 9, 5l behind Aladdins Cave (10-13) at Fairyhouse 2m hcp hdl 80-116 sft in Nov.
The Book Thief (IRE) 14-1 (11-7) Mid-division, weakened before 4 out, last of 13, 45l behind Carlowsantana (10-5) at Cork 2m hcp hdl 80-116 sft.
Matsukaze (IRE) 33-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, moderate 4th entering straight, no extra, 7th of 14, 26l behind Clonbanan Lad (11-12) at Punchestown 2m mdn hdl sft in Oct.
El Mondo (FR) 20-1 (10-7) Always towards rear, fell 2 out, in a race won by King Of Queens (10-12) at Fairyhouse 2m hcp hdl sft, 14 ran.
Persian Gayle (IRE) 20-1 (10-2) Prominent, on terms from 6 out, 3rd and not as good as 1st 2 at 3 out, soon no impression under pressure, kept on same pace, 5th of 15, 18l behind Come To The Party (10-1) at Cork 2m 4f hcp hdl sft in Nov.
Luddsdenene (IRE) 16-1 (10-10) Led, soon clear, jumped left 4 out, reduced lead from before 2 out, soon headed and no extra, 7th of 14, 21l behind Speed Dial (10-1) at Wexford 2m hcp hdl 80-109.
