made all, went on before 5th, slight mistake 6th, reduced lead approaching 2 out, went on again approaching last where left further clear, stayed on well run-in, easily
raced in 4th, dropped to last after 8th, pushed along after 3 out, went 3rd but off front pair into straight, left 2nd from last and kept on same pace
raced in 2nd, dropped to 4th but still well in touch when pecked 2 out, soon no impression, left 3rd from last
in rear, bumped with rival and fell 5th
raced in 5th, bumped 5th, 4th after 8th, closed 3 out, pushed along in 3rd approaching straight, soon no extra in rear, left 4th from last
raced in 3rd, 2nd approaching straight, not match winner when fell heavily last
City Island, who beat Champ to land the Ballymore over timber at Cheltenham, hardly jumped a fence on his chasing bow at Leopardstown and it was no surprise when he pulled up. He can do very much better but may need a confidence booster. Speak Easy, a winning point-to-pointer and progressive hurdler, made a very encouraging debut over fences at Fairyhouse in November after a long break. He looks certain to improve but Halsafari is taking on much stronger company than he did when successful at Limerick. Lord Schnitzel couldn't cope with CAREFULLY SELECTED at Fairyhouse then finished a long way last of three in a Leopardstown Grade 1. Willie Mullins' charge has the potential to go on to better things and looks the one to be on though Dallas Des Pictons ran nowhere near his best in a Cork Grade 3 after making a winning start over fences at Gowran.
Carefully Selected (IRE) 4-7fav (11-12) Close up and disputed lead at times, some slight mistakes, travelling smoothly and gained narrow lead before 2 out where mistake and headed, switched right between last 2, on terms approaching last, led run-in, stayed on well to assert closing stages, won at Fairyhouse 2m 5f sft in Nov beating Lord Schnitzel (11-12) by 3 3/4l, 18 ran.
City Island (IRE) 15-8 (11-12) Chased leaders, pecked 2nd, 3rd halfway, mistake 3 out, 4th when bad blunder 2 out, soon eased and pulled up, at Leopardstown 2m 1f sft in Dec.
Dallas Des Pictons (FR) 5-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, pushed along in 4th before 3 out, ridden and no impression in 5th when slight mistake 2 out, kept on one pace, 5th of 8, 26 3/4l behind Brahma Bull (11-3) at Cork 2m 4f (1) sft in Nov.
Halsafari (IRE) 6-1 (11-3) Held up in rear, slight mistake 2nd, 5th halfway, went 3rd 4 out, progress to dispute entering straight, not fluent and headed 2 out, challenged again before last where mistake, ridden to lead final 100 yards, kept on well, won at Limerick 2m 2f hvy in Dec beating Great Khan (11-3) by 7 1/2l, 6 ran.
Lord Schnitzel (IRE) 10-1 (11-10) Ran 3rd, slight mistake 4 out, pushed along after 2 out and no impression approaching last, soon no extra, last of 3, dist behind Battleoverdoyen (11-10) at Leopardstown 3m (1) gd in Dec.
Speak Easy 6-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders on inner, headway into 4th on inner entering straight, ridden in 4th 2 out, no impression on winner in 3rd at last, 2nd after last, kept on same pace, dropped to 3rd last strides, 3rd of 14, 8 1/4l behind Ronald Pump (11-12) at Fairyhouse 2m 5f hvy in Nov.
