waited with, niggled along 10th, mistake 7 out, no extra and pulled up before 6 out
soon led, pressed and slight mistake 3 out, joined and jumped right next, soon headed but still a chance when bad mistake last, no extra and eased after
chased leaders, closed up travelling well 4 out, kept on same pace under pressure from before last
prominent, slight mistake 4 out, challenged from before last, on terms and every chance run-in, headed near finish
prominent, challenged and on terms when slightly hampered 2 out, soon led, headed and dropped to 3rd run-in, ran on gamely to regain lead near finish
towards rear, slight mistake 9th and niggled along, no extra 4 out, slipped up into straight
waited with, slight mistake 3rd, bad mistake 6 out, closed from 4 out, 4th before straight, got to the front under pressure run-in, headed near finish
Medical Card set a slow pace in a Grade 2 at Naas last month and eventually held off the challenge of CRASH with Four Commanders around 4l back in fourth. The winner now has a penalty and the runner-up should reverse the form and take this. Berties Dream was just touched off by Start Me Up over this C&D in December but showed the benefit of that run with a demolition job at Thurles last month. He can reverse the form with Charlie Swan's charge who needs a very strong gallop. Quietly Fancied went close behind Crash at Punchestown in December and is 5lb better off but he ran so badly at Thurles last time that he's best watched for now.
Medical Card (IRE) 10-1 (11-5) Slow jump 1st, disputed lead for most at ordinary pace, gained narrow lead before straight, pressed and joined last, edged ahead again run-in and stayed on well to hold off a couple of strong challengers, won at Naas 3m nov chs G2 (1) in Jan beating Crash (11-5) by nk, 5 ran.
Berties Dream (IRE) 6-4fav (11-12) Made all, clear 7 out, slightly slow 4 out, soon in command, stayed on strongly, easily, won at Thurles 3m beg chase hvy in Jan beating Marlay Park (11-12) by 24l, 12 ran.
Crash (IRE) 10-1 (11-5) Waited with at ordinary pace, closer in 3rd before straight, challenged and on terms last, soon headed but every chance, kept on without matching winner closing stages, 2nd of 5, nk behind Medical Card (11-5) at Naas 3m nov chs G2 (1) in Jan.
Four Commanders (IRE) 7-2 (11-5) Close up at ordinary pace and disputed lead at stages, pushed along in 3rd 3 out, dropped to last before straight, renewed effort 2 out, soon no impression and kept on without threatening, 4th of 5, 4 1/2l behind Medical Card (11-5) at Naas 3m nov chs G2 (1) in Jan.
Lion Na Bearnai (IRE) 11-1 (9-10) Led or disputed lead, headed before 6 out, 4th 3 out, no extra after next, 5th of 16, 24l behind Smoking Aces (10-7) at Fairyhouse 3m 5f hcp chs 0-140 sft in Dec.
Quietly Fancied (IRE) 5-1 (10-10) Prominent in chasing group, struggling from 5 out, soon no impression, weakened from 2 out, tailed off, 7th of 11, well behind Quarryvale (10-8) at Thurles 2m 6f chs hvy.
Start Me Up (IRE) 8-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders, 6th halfway, still well in touch when stumbled and unseated rider approaching 3 out, in a race won by Portrait King (10-7) at Punchestown 3m 4f Ext hcp ch hvy, 17 ran.
