held up, a little keen, slight mistake 3rd, 9th after 8th, not fluent 3 out, soon pushed along, 6th 2 out, 7th before straight, soon no extra, tailed off
tracked leaders, not fluent 1st, 2nd after 8th, on terms from 4 out, led before straight, asserted under pressure approaching last, stayed on well run-in, comfortably
led, joined and not fluent 4 out, just headed before next, almost back on terms before 2 out where not fluent, 3rd before straight, no impression and one pace approaching last
tracked leaders, 6th after 8th, reminders from 4 out, no impression and one pace straight
towards rear, 8th after 8th, slight mistake 4 out, soon pushed along, no impression from before straight
towards rear, 11th after 8th, not fluent 4 out, 7th 2 out and not fluent, 6th on inner before straight, soon no impression
in rear, not fluent 3rd and 8th, pushed along briefly after next, no impression 2 out
tracked leaders, 5th after 8th, 4th 2 out, 2nd before straight, no impression from before last, one pace
prominent, slight mistake 4th, not fluent 8th, soon raced in 4th, on terms from 4 out, slight mistake 2 out, dropped to 4th before straight, soon no impression
towards rear, slight mistake 4th, 10th after 8th, headway from 4 out, soon pushed along, no impression 2 out, soon no extra, tailed off
tracked leaders, 7th after 8th, soon progress, 5th 2 out, no impression straight, slight mistake last, one pace run-in
tracked leaders, slight mistake 8th, soon raced in 3rd, pushed along after 9th, dropped towards rear 2 out, soon no extra, tailed off
Don Vincenzo had only looked moderate before an improved maiden victory at Limerick, though that wasn't much of a race. The veteran Swiftmarc last ran over hurdles in September where he gained a short-head victory from just 3lb lower but Lean Araig hasn't had much experience and tackles this trip for the first time. Kymin's Way will have no problems with the trip and any further rain would be to her advantage and she's gone well round here in the past. Sarah Battle bounced back to form last month and is well enough weighted to get into the action but this can go to THE MAD WELL. He had run very well at Cork in November before running a shocker when well fancied back there last month. He was well supported at Limerick a fortnight ago and duly obliged so a 7lb rise shouldn't be too much of a problem. Shesaportrait was third in the latter event and looks held but Change The Rules ran easily his best race to date when runner-up at Tramore and could make his presence felt.
Don Vincenzo (IRE) 10-1 (11-12) Towards rear, closer in 5th 4 out, 4th before straight, challenged in 2nd 2 out travelling smoothly, led approaching last where not fluent, joined run-in, stayed on well to assert near finish, won at Limerick 2m 5f mdn hdl hvy in Dec beating Stilo Blue Native (11-12) by 3/4l, 7 ran.
Lean Araig (IRE) 16-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, not fluent 1st and slight mistake 2nd, 3rd halfway, pushed along in 6th entering straight, no impression before last, kept on one pace, 7th of 13, 10l behind Windsor Park (11-12) at Leopardstown 2m 4f mdn hdl sft in Dec.
Toon River (IRE) 20-1 (10-11) Soon disputed lead, slight mistake 2nd, mistake 7th, jumped right 5 out and next where collided with rival, headed before straight and pushed along, soon no impression, 5th of 15, 17l behind Page Turner (10-5) at Limerick 2m 3f hcap ch in Dec.
Swiftmarc (IRE) 4-1 (11-1) Tracked leaders, mistake 1st, slightly slow 2nd, not fluent 7th and reminders, pulled up quickly approaching next, in a race won by Character Actor (10-12) at Limerick 2m 6f hcp chs (10yo+) in Dec, 10 ran.
Kymin's Way (IRE) 4-1 (11-0) Raced mainly in 2nd, dropped to 3rd before 8th, ridden and dropped to 4th after 3 out, kept on same pace from before 2 out, 5th of 18, 5l behind Uranna (11-7) at Limerick 2m 2f mdn hdl hvy in Dec.
Marshim (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) Towards rear, no impression and kept on same pace from 2 out, 7th of 21, 23l behind Westerners Son (10-9) at Leopardstown 2m 2f hcp hdl 80-116 sft in Dec.
Behemoth (IRE) 11-1 (11-4) Led, headed 3rd, 2nd halfway, ridden and no extra after 5 out, weakened, pulled up before last, in a race won by Down Under (10-11) at Leopardstown 2m 5f cond hcap ch in Dec, 11 ran.
Sarah Battle (IRE) 6-1fav (9-11) Tracked leaders, 4th after 8th, 3rd 3 out, moderate 2nd approaching straight, soon no impression, one pace, 2nd of 13, 7l behind Ravished (10-11) at Limerick 3m hcp hdl hvy in Dec.
The Mad Well (IRE) 8-1 (11-0) Soon led and disputed, slight mistake 5th, mistake 3 out, soon led, joined 2 out, led again between last 2, stayed on well run-in, won at Limerick 2m 5f hcp hdl 80-102 hvy in Dec beating Jumptoconclusions (11-1) by 4 1/2l, 15 ran.
Hello Louie (IRE) 11-1 (11-8) Mid-division on outer, ridden after 4 out, soon no impression, 12th of 24, 26l behind Hold Em Cowboy (11-9) at Navan 2m 4f hcp hdl 80-102 in Dec '13.
Shesaportrait (IRE) 6-1 (11-3) Close up, on terms 3 out, 2nd approaching straight, 3rd 2 out, soon no impression, kept on without matching 1st 2 run-in, 3rd of 15, 5l behind The Mad Well (11-0) at Limerick 2m 5f hcp hdl 80-102 hvy in Dec.
Change The Rules (IRE) 12-1 (10-6) Tracked leader, 6th halfway, progress to 2nd 4 out, under pressure and driven in 4th 3 out, headway to 2nd after 2 out, kept on without reaching winner, 2nd of 11, 2 1/4l behind West Of The Edge (11-0) at Tramore 2m 5f hcp hdl 80-102 sft.
