held up towards rear, ridden in 7th after 4 out, no impression from next, weakened
prominent early, soon chased leaders, improved to lead at 8th, ridden and challenged 2 out, headed before last, no extra and kept on one pace
chased leaders, 2nd halfway, 3rd when fell 4 out
mid-division, progress into 5th 3 out, ridden next, stayed on into 2nd before last, kept on same pace without reaching winner
mid-division early, progress into 4th halfway, 3rd and mistake 5 out, slight mistake 3 out, improved to challenge next, ridden to lead before last, kept on well
mid-division, 5th halfway, 6th 2 out, ridden into 4th before last, 3rd last, kept on same pace run-in
chased leader, left in lead 5th, headed at 8th and remained close up, carried left by loose horse 3 out, ridden next and soon no extra, weakened
held up towards rear early, mid-division in 6th halfway, 5th 4 out, progress to challenge 2 out, ridden in 4th entering straight, no impression before last, kept on one pace
led, mistake and unseated rider 5th
mid-division, dropped towards rear halfway, ridden 7th, weakened 5 out, pulled up before 3 out
Popaflora won this a year ago and is just 4lb higher despite scoring at Tipperary in May, though he'll need to do much better than his latest starts. Refused A Name showed his first sign of form over fences at Downpatrick last month then went to Down Royal and scored as he liked. The assessor has had his revenge with a 13lb rise but another big run is anticipated. Hold Em Cowboy is very consistent and though only once successful in 19 starts over fences he could have doubled his tally but for falling at the second last when odds-on at Downpatrick. Robert Tyner's EMBRACING CHANGE has won six times between the flags and though the latest was in May 2012 he'll not lack fitness and looks on a very fair mark - a chance is taken that he can make the transition to regulation fences.
Fergiethelegend (IRE) 16-1 (11-12) Held up, soon moderate 6th, not fluent 6th, no impression and kept on same pace from 3 out,, 4th of 8, 29l behind Jupitor (11-12) at Limerick 2m 6f beg chs hvy in Dec.
Whats On The Menu (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) Towards rear, brought down 4th, in a race won by Wrong Turn (11-0) at Leopardstown 2m 5f cond hcp chs 0-116 in Dec, 18 ran.
Hidden Present (IRE) 16-1 (10-10) Soon led, ridden and strongly pressed 3 out, headed before next, soon weakened quickly, 7th of 11, 34l behind Art Lord (11-11) at Navan 2m 4f hcp chs 0-109 sft in Dec.
Embracing Change (IRE) Evens (12-0) Mostly chsd ldrs until 3rd from 4out, closer in 2nd 2out, ld bef last, easily, won at Dromahane 3m ire ptp gd in May '12 beating Glantara (12-0) by 4l, 16 ran.
Refused A Name 12-1 (10-10) Chased leaders, 7th halfway, progress into 4th 4 out, led before 2 out, ridden clear before last, easily, won at Down Royal 2m 4f hcp chs 0-95 sft in Dec beating De Glebe Star (11-11) by 15l, 16 ran.
Hold Em Cowboy (IRE) 4-7fav (10-5) Held up towards rear, progress into 5th 4 out, disputed briefly approaching 3 out, soon close 2nd, every chance and travelling well when fell 2 out, in a race won by Slew Charm (11-3) at Downpatrick 2m 2f hcp chs 0-109 gd in Dec, 9 ran.
Popaflora 7-1 (10-3) Tracked leaders, not fluent 5 out, no extra in 3rd from before straight, 3rd of 9, 29l behind Rory's Brother (10-7) at Limerick 2m 3f hcp chs 0-109 hvy in Dec.
Treacy's Star (IRE) 20-1 (10-10) Rear of mid-division, reminders after 6th, ridden towards rear approaching 11th, behind when pulled up before 4 out,, in a race won by Sterling Stuff (11-0) at Thurles 3m hcp chs 0-102 sft in Dec, 18 ran.
The Bog Road Girl (IRE) 40-1 (10-12) Always towards rear, trailing 5 out, weakened and tailed off, 13th of 15, well behind Burn And Turn (11-5) at Limerick 2m 1f beg chs sft in May.
Star Of Hollywood (IRE) 20-1 (9-6) Tracked leaders on outer, 4th halfway, fell 4 out, in a race won by Popaflora (10-1) at Punchestown 2m 4f cnd hcp chs (0-109) hvy in Jan '13, 9 ran.
