mid-division, slight mistake 9th, 6th halfway, ridden 3 out, stayed on to lead 2 out, strongly pressed when fell last
mid-division, fell 8th
led and disputed early, 3rd halfway, slight mistake 11th, ridden in 4th 3 out, no extra in 6th 2 out, kept on one pace
chased leaders, improved to dispute after 6th, led halfway, headed 12th, disputed again entering straight, fell 3 out
always towards rear, mistake 11th, ridden and no impression 5 out, weakened and pulled up before 3 out
chased leaders, disputed briefly 6th, 4th halfway, 3rd 3 out, soon ridden, challenged before 2 out, no extra in 5th before last, left 4th last
mid-division, slight mistake 5th, 8th halfway, ridden before straight, kept on to challenge before 2 out, under pressure in 3rd before last, stayed on to challenge last and slight mistake, left 2nd, kept on without reaching winner run-in
chased leaders early, mid-division halfway, towards rear and ridden 5 out, weakened and pulled up before next
disputed early, soon chased leaders, disputed from 7th, 2nd halfway, led 12th, disputed entering straight, ridden and left in lead 3 out, headed 2 out, no impression in 4th and slight mistake last, left 3rd
mid-division early, slight mistake 2nd, closer from 8th, slight mistake 10th, 5th halfway, ridden 3 out when hampered and unseated rider
held up towards rear, slight mistake 1st, progress into 6th 4 out, left 4th 3 out, ridden to challenge before 2 out, under pressure in 2nd before last, stayed on to challenge last and left in lead, kept on well under pressure run-in
towards rear, ridden after 5 out, no impression before straight, hampered 3 out, soon pulled up
Azorian didn't do his rating any good when a close third in a Grade 3 at Naas and this looks a stiff task, though he still looks best of Gordon Elliott's quartet. Ballychorus is very consistent over hurdles and fences but is much better handicapped over the smaller obstacles. Mullaghanoe River hasn't been seen since falling in last year's Irish National but some of his earlier form puts him in the frame and he's still only seven. Empire Of Dirt fell at the first in that Fairyhouse contest but had earlier scored at Naas in very good style. Dromnea couldn't get to Rossvoss at Punchestown but a 6lb pull should bring them closer together though the vote in an open handicap goes to TULSA JACK. Noel Meade's six year old is improving at a rate of knots and though 9lb higher than his victory in the Cork National he can complete a hat trick. Kylecrue, who finished a well beaten third in that latter event, didn't let the form down over hurdles subsequently.
Ballychorus (IRE) 6-5fav (10-12) Made all, slight mistake 2nd, pressed 3 out, asserted before last, pushed out and kept on strongly run-in, easily, won at Ballinrobe 2m 7f sft in Sep beating Carriganog (11-5) by 19l, 3 ran.
Mullaghanoe River (IRE) 18-1 (10-7) Tracked leaders, 6th halfway, slight mistake 13th, close up when fell 5 out, at Fairyhouse 3m 5f hcp (1) Good - Yielding in Apr.
Dromnea (IRE) 11-2 (11-10) Soon prominent, on terms from 3 out, led from 2 out, soon joined, headed approaching last, kept on without matching winner run-in, 2nd of 9, 2l behind Rossvoss (11-4) at Punchestown 2m 6f hcp sft in Nov.
Empire Of Dirt (IRE) 9-1fav (10-2) Fell 1st, at Fairyhouse 3m 5f hcp sft in Apr.
Tulsa Jack (IRE) 5-1fav (10-1) Towards rear, 10th with a circuit to race, improved to chase leaders after 5 out and went 3rd after next, pushed along to lead before 2 out and stretched clear before next, kept on well run-in, easily, won at Cork 3m 4f hcp sft in Nov beating Clar Na Mionn (9-10) by 12l, 12 ran.
Aurora Bell (IRE) 16-1 (11-8) Made virtually all, joined briefly after 3rd, 4 lengths clear and mistake 3 out, slight mistake next, 2 lengths advantage last, ridden and kept on run-in, held on, won at Fairyhouse 2m 6f hcp sft in Apr beating Mallards In Flight (10-2) by shd, 12 ran.
Georges Conn (IRE) 8-15fav (11-12) Disputed early, chased leader from before 2nd, remained close up, ridden in 3rd 3 out, no impression and slight mistake 2 out, mistake last and strongly pressed for 3rd, kept on one pace, 3rd of 7, 7l behind Tintown Rambler (11-12) at Thurles 2m 6f gf in Oct.
Bashful Beauty (IRE) 16-1 (10-7) Chased leaders, closer order approaching straight, challenged 3 out, led approaching 2 out, headed before last, kept on without matching winner run-in, 2nd of 19, 1 1/2l behind Ancient Sands (10-13) at Navan 2m hcp Yielding - Soft in Nov.
Kylecrue (IRE) 11-1 (10-9) Led or disputed lead, led after 8th, ridden and headed approaching last, no impression on winner run-in, kept on one pace, 2nd of 11, 5l behind Prince Of Scars (11-4) at Clonmel 3m hcp hvy in Nov.
Knockanarrigan (IRE) 8-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, bumped 7th, not fluent 9th, slightly slow 10th, on terms from 11th, left in lead and clear from 4 out, reduced lead approaching 2 out where not fluent and pressed, stayed on well run-in, won at Down Royal 3m hcp Yielding in Oct beating Nosey Box (10-10) by 1 1/2l, 8 ran.
Riverside City (IRE) 8-1fav (10-2) Mid-division, 8th with a circuit to race, improved to chase leaders after 5 out and ridden in 4th after next, no impression from before 2 out, 5th of 12, 31 1/2l behind Tulsa Jack (10-1) at Cork 3m 4f hcp sft in Nov.
He Rock's (IRE) 7-1 (10-4) Close up, slightly slow 1st, tracked leaders, not fluent 10th, soon closed up, left in lead from 4 out, pressed and hit next, headed straight, soon no impression, 4th of 9, 7l behind Rossvoss (11-4) at Punchestown 2m 6f hcp sft in Nov.
Azorian (IRE) 16-1 (11-1) In rear, jumped slightly right 4th, detached briefly next and at 6th where slight mistake, pushed along briefly from 4 out, pushed along again and closer order before straight, closed up 2 out, kept on well closing stages without getting to front pair, 3rd of 5, 1/2l behind Devils Bride (11-8) at Naas 2m (1) Yielding in Nov.
Bonisland 5-2 (11-0) Held up in touch in last, slight mistake 8th, slight mistake 5 out and soon pushed along, no impression and trailing in last when mistakes 3 out and 2 out, 3rd of 4, dist behind Seefood (10-13) at Wexford 3m 1f lst (1) gd in Oct.
Rossvoss 14-1 (11-4) Held up, not fluent 13th, soon closer order, 5th before straight, improved to challenge from between last 2, led approaching last, stayed on well run-in, won at Punchestown 2m 6f hcp sft in Nov beating Dromnea (11-10) by 2l, 9 ran.
