always towards rear, reminders after 6th, pulled up before 2 out
always towards rear, never a factor
chased leaders, 5th halfway, 4th 3 out, ridden entering straight, no extra from 2 out, kept on same pace
chased leaders, 4th halfway, headway to 2nd 9th, improved to lead after 4 out, ridden before last, kept on well, strongly pressed close home, all out
chased leader, mistake 8th, 3rd 9th, dropped to 5th and mistake 3 out, soon no extra and weakened
led, mistake 4 out and soon headed, ridden in 2nd entering straight, stayed on from last to press winner close home
settled behind leaders, 6th halfway, headway to 3rd 4 out, ridden entering straight, no extra from 2 out, kept on same pace
chased leaders, 3rd halfway, dropped to 6th before 10th, mistake 3 out, soon no impression, kept on to moderate 5th 2 out
THE LISTENER is in his element when dominating from the front in testing conditions and as last year's win in this race proves, this track plays to his strengths. It may pay to forgive his latest flop behind Kauto Star at Down Royal as he was too bad to be true that day and he can bounce back in style here. Noland heads the list of dangers, as he is unexposed at this trip and won convincingly at Down Royal last time. This is a step up in grade, though, and he may just struggle to keep tabs on the selection. This is the acid test for War Of Attrition, who has beaten nothing in two wins since his comeback. He looked smooth in those victories but this opposition is in another league. Mansony is well held by the selection on last year's running, as is One Cool Cookie, while Snowy Morning has lost on his last eight starts over fences. Watson Lake impressed last time, but he has lost on all nine visits to the track so we'll trust The Listener to repeat last year's bloodless victory.
Ballistraw (IRE) 40-1 (11-10) Mid-division, headway to 4th after 5 out, ridden 3 out, no impression in 3rd 2 out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 15, 18l behind Notre Pere (11-7) at Navan 3m hcp chs 0-150 hvy in Nov.
Cane Brake (IRE) 20-1 (11-7) Always towards rear and pulled up in race won by Butler's Cabin (10-4) at Fairyhouse 3m 5f hcp chs gd in Apr '07, 29 ran.
Mansony (FR) 7-2 (11-12) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, headway to 2nd 4 out, ridden approaching 2 out, no extra in 3rd before last, kept on same pace, 3rd of 6, 7l behind Watson Lake (11-10) at Navan 2m chs Grd 2 sft in Nov.
Noland 6-4fav (11-5) Tracked leader in 2nd, ridden to lead before 2 out, clear before last, kept on strongly, won at Down Royal 2m 4f chs Grd 3 sft in Nov beating Finger Onthe Pulse (11-8) by 12l, 7 ran.
Snowy Morning (IRE) 13-8fav (11-10) Tracked leaders, slight mistake 7th, dropped to moderate 5th and ridden after 3 out, behind straight, 5th of 7, 36l behind Glenfinn Captain (11-5) at Clonmel 2m 4f chs Grd 2 hvy in Nov.
The Listener (IRE) 3-1 (11-10) Chased leader in 2nd, bad mistake 4 out, ridden and no extra approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 4th of 5, well behind Kauto Star (11-10) at Down Royal 3m chs Grd 1 sft in Nov.
War Of Attrition (IRE) 2-7fav (11-6) Tracked leader in 2nd, led after 4 out, clear approaching last, easily, won at Thurles 2m 6f chs sft in Nov beating Carrigeen Kalmia (10-12) by 8l, 6 ran.
Watson Lake (IRE) 8-1 (11-10) Made virtually all, briefly headed before 4th, asserted before last, easily, won at Navan 2m chs Grd 2 sft in Nov beating Slim Pickings (11-4) by 4l, 6 ran.
Newmill (IRE) 20-1 (11-12) Led, headed from 3rd, weakened from 4 out, soon trailing, eased before 2 out, tailed off, 8th of 9, well behind Twist Magic (11-12) at Punchestown 2m chs Grd 1 (1) gd in Apr.
One Cool Cookie (IRE) 16-1 (11-12) Attempted to make all, ridden and strongly pressed entering straight, headed before 2 out, no impression on winner and kept on same pace in 2nd from last, 2nd of 7, 5l behind Glenfinn Captain (11-5) at Clonmel 2m 4f chs Grd 2 hvy in Nov.
