mid-division, ridden after 4 out, 7th when left 6th 2 out, no impression
always towards rear, slight mistake 2nd, pushed along 3 out, no impression
tracked leaders, 4th 3 out, ridden in 5th when left 4th 2 out, no impression
towards rear early, progress on outer into mid-division at halfway, 5th 3 out, ridden and left 4th next, went moderate 3rd before last, kept on same pace
prominent, led from 3rd, joined and under pressure when fell 2 out
towards rear, ridden 4 out, soon no impression, never a factor
tracked leaders on inner, close 3rd when left 2nd 2 out, improved ti dispute lead entering straight, ridden to lead before last, clear when swished tale and wandered around run-in, kept on
towards rear, mistake 6th, ridden 3 out, no impression
led early, headed 3rd and tracked leader in 2nd, improved to dispute lead when left in front 2 out, ridden and joined entering straight, headed before last, kept on same pace run-in
tracked leaders, mistake 7th, 6th 3 out, soon ridden, 6th when left 5th 2 out, no impression
Refused A Name was in excellent form when landing this in 2014 but hasn't been seen since March of that year. Final Gift completed a hat-trick between the flags around this time last year then landed a handicap at Tipperary in May. He ran poorly when favourite at Roscommon a few days later and makes his comeback. ARD CREGG won a similar race to this under Stephen Grey at Thurles when the mud was flying and, with just a 5lb rise to contend with, looks progressive enough to complete a double. Flemenstorm didn't look like winning at any stage at Fairyhouse last month but stamina is his strong suit and he outstayed his rivals over that 2m7f trip on heavy going. Eddie Cawley's charge will be difficult to keep out of the frame in the same kind of form. I Knew Well hasn't shown much in three starts over fences but makes his handicap debut, a remark that also applies to King Blue.
Final Gift (IRE) 3-1fav (10-11) Soon mid-division, ridden towards rear after 4 out, no impression before straight, 9th of 12, dist behind Kilford (10-6) at Roscommon 2m 5f hcp Yielding in May.
I Knew Well (IRE) 33-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, 8th halfway, 6th and mistake 4 out, no extra after next, 7th of 11, 26 3/4l behind Walk To Freedom (11-12) at Navan 2m 1f hvy in Dec.
Refused A Name 8-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, ridden and no extra 4 out, weakened and tailed off when slow 2 out, soon pulled up, at Navan 2m 4f hcp sft in Mar.
King Blue (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) Rear of mid-division, 8th halfway, progress on outer after 4 out, disputed briefly approaching 2 out where mistake, soon no impression on easy winner, no extra run-in, 4th of 12, 15 3/4l behind Cyprian Prince (11-12) at Tramore 2m 5f hvy in Dec.
Easyondeye (IRE) 7-1 (10-5) Tracked leaders, slow jump 2nd, slightly impeded 4th, soon moderate 3rd, lost place 3 out, pushed along and soon improved again on outer, dropped to last and no extra from before 2 out, soon eased, 6th of 9, dist behind Boher Call (9-13) at Limerick 2m 1f hcp Yielding in Apr.
Derrychrin (IRE) 8-1 (11-1) Rear of mid-division, slight mistake 1st, bad mistake 7th, ridden 5 out and weakened, pulled up before 2 out, at Fairyhouse 2m 5f hcp hvy in Nov.
Flemenstorm (IRE) 16-1 (9-13) Held up towards rear, closer in 7th before 3 out, ridden into 3rd entering straight, stayed on and closer at last, not clear run briefly after last and switched to inner, kept on well to lead closing stages, won at Fairyhouse 2m 7f hcp hvy in Dec beating Golan Lodge (11-8) by 1/2l, 10 ran.
Rare Legend (IRE) 100-1 (11-12) Held up, 9th from 5th, some headway to chase leaders but no danger from 10th, 5th of 10, dist behind Black Hercules (11-12) at Navan 2m 4f hvy in Dec.
Sunsetstorise (IRE) 10-1 (11-5) Mid-division early, mistake 3rd, soon towards rear, trailing halfway, pulled up after 4 out, at Down Royal 2m 4f hcp hvy in Dec.
Ard Cregg (IRE) 13-2 (9-10) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, pushed along before 4 out and slight mistake 3 out, ridden in 4th after next and progress to lead before last, under pressure and kept on well run-in, won at Thurles 2m 4f hcp Soft - Heavy in Dec beating Teelin Star (11-5) by 2 3/4l, 7 ran.
