chased clear leader, moderate 2nd halfway, closer 4 out, led entering straight, driven along approaching last, stayed on well to go clear run-in
chased leaders, moderate 7th halfway, 5th entering straight, soon no impression and kept on one pace
fell 2nd
hampered and unseated rider 2nd
led and soon clear, mistake 3rd, reduced advantage 4 out, headed before 2 out, soon no extra, eased when beaten in straight
settled in mid-division, smooth headway from 4 out, poised to challenge on outer when fell next
chased clear leader, moderate 4th halfway, closer 4 out, ridden 2 out, no extra in 6th entering straight
mid-division, pushed along 4 out, no extra from next, weakened
rear of mid-division, good headway to go 4th before 2 out, 2nd approaching last, no extra under pressure run-in, kept on one pace
never a factor
always towards rear
towards rear, some headway from 3 out, went moderate 4th early straight, 3rd when slight mistake last, kept on one pace
chased clear leader, moderate 3rd halfway, closer from 4 out, led before 2 out, ridden and headed entering straight, no extra from before last
chased clear leader, moderate 5th halfway, closer 4 out, no extra from 2 out
rear of mid-division, never a factor, kept on from 2 out without threatening
chased clear leader, moderate 6th halfway, closer in 4th 4 out, pushed along when hampered next, soon weakened
After an excellent second to Ella Watson over 2m4f at Tipperary, Ephorus ran poorly on the Flat at Leopardstown and may just need further than this. PRIDE OF THE LIONS hasn't had much experience but very nearly snatched a tough Clonmel handicap last time when just failing to catch Le Reveur. A 3lbs rise shouldn't be enough to prevent the son of Montjeu going one better. Missgiloney is another lightly-raced type on the upgrade judging by her recent efforts and she's not too badly handicapped but top-weight Shamiran, despite some very good efforts, is inconsistent and still a maiden after 24 starts.
Shamiran (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, 8th approaching 2 out, soon no impression, 13th of 20, 42l behind Universal Truth (11-12) at Galway 2m mdn hdl gd in Jul.
Ephorus (USA) 12-1 (11-5) Mid-division, 10th halfway, headway in 6th 3 out, soon 3rd, improved to lead 2 out, soon ridden, headed last, kept on run-in, no extra close home, 2nd of 19, 1 1/4l behind Ella Watson (11-7) at Tipperary 2m 4f hcp hdl 8Evens02 in Oct.
Parnell Street (IRE) 14-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, 6th after 4 out, 7th before straight, soon no impression, 6th of 12, 16l behind Got Attitude (11-12) at Gowran Park 2m beg chase sft in Mar.
Highland Brave (IRE) 18-1 (11-2) Mid-division, no impression under pressure and kept on same pace from after 2 out, 10th of 22, 19l behind Si C'etait Vrai (11-7) at Naas 2m 4yo mdn hdl sft in Oct.
Raise The Rafters (IRE) 20-1 (11-12) Prominent on outer, 3rd halfway, dropped to 7th approaching 2 out, soon no extra, 13th of 23, 32l behind Inspector Clouseau (11-12) at Punchestown 2m mdn hdl gd in Oct.
Pride Of The Lions (NZ) 7-1 (11-9) Towards rear on outer, good headway from 4 out, close 3rd travelling well entering straight, 2nd when mistake and outpaced after 2 out, soon hard ridden, strongly pressed winner run-in, just failed, 2nd of 14, shd behind Le Reveur (11-8) at Clonmel 2m hcp hdl 80-95 in Oct.
Baraka Boy (IRE) 25-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, 7th 4 out, ridden from next, no impression in 7th when bad mistake last, 8th of 13, 15l behind Ferris Bueller (11-4) at Punchestown 2m 4f mdn hdl gd in Oct.
Malande (IRE) 14-1 (9-12) Mid-division, moderate 8th 3 out, no impression under pressure and kept on same pace straight, 9th of 20, 19l behind Bale O'shea (10-9) at Naas 2m hcp hdl 8Evens16 sft in Oct.
Missgiloney (IRE) 25-1 (10-6) Tracked leaders, improved into 2nd halfway, led after 4 out, ridden and strongly pressed after next, headed 2 out, 3rd and no extra before last, 3rd of 14, 11l behind Strain Of Fame (11-2) at Wexford 2m 4yo mdn hdl in Oct.
Ever Dreaming (USA) 16-1 (10-3) Always towards rear, 10th of 13, 17l behind Turner Brown (11-7) at Punchestown 2m hcp hdl 80-109 gd in Oct.
Muscati (GER) 25-1 (11-7) Mid-division, blundered and rider lost iron 4 out, not recover, tailed off, 19th of 20, well behind Ragtime Lucy (10-8) at Gowran Park 2m 4f hcp hdl 80-95 in Oct.
Storm Breaker (IRE) 20-1 (11-7) Mid-division, 8th 6 out, weakened approaching straight, tailed off, 9th of 14, well behind Florida Pal (11-12) at Limerick 2m 5f mdn hdl hvy in Dec.
Bostons Gift (IRE) 33-1 (11-12) Held up, ridden 3 out, moderate 8th after 2 out, soon no extra and eased, 16th of 23, well behind First Lieutenant (11-12) at Punchestown 2m 4f mdn hdl gd in Oct.
Thoroughly Red (IRE) 12-1 (11-4) Mid-division, 9th halfway, no extra from 2 out, 16th of 22, 21l behind Burnswood (10-6) at Naas 2m hcp hdl 80-95.
Claragh Native (IRE) 25-1 (10-9) In rear, some modest late headway, 11th of 22, 21l behind Fool's Wildcat (10-8) at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp hdl 80-102 gd in Oct.
Que On Time (IRE) 50-1 (11-7) Always behind, 18th of 21, well behind Maid Of Malabar (11-7) at Cork 2m mdn hdl gd in Apr '09.