soon led, slight mistake 3rd, joined from 5 out, headed before straight, still close up at last, kept on without quite matching winner run-in
close up, mistake 3rd, on terms from 5 out, led before straight, pressed and slight mistake 2 out, bad mistake last, soon narrowly headed, stayed on well to regain lead near finish
held up, mistake 1st, closer order to be prominent 5 out, 4th 4 out where slight mistake, moderate 5th before straight, no impression when slight mistake 2 out
chased leaders, slight mistake 4th, closer in 3rd at 6th, challenged 2 out, gained narrow lead from last, kept on well run-in, headed near finish, 3rd on line
held up towards rear, chasing leaders in a dispute of 6th when fell 5th
led early, tracked leaders, slight mistake 3rd, slow jump 5th, 6th 4 out, no extra from next
tracked leaders, reminders approaching 4 out, soon dropped to 5th, moderate 4th before straight, no impression when hit 2 out
towards rear, moderate 8th 5 out, moderate 7th 4 out, moderate 6th before straight, one pace
towards rear, slight mistake 1st, slightly slow 4th, last 5 out, soon no danger
It's over two years since Foildubh landed a Grade 2 at Fairyhouse and though he's won subsequently and been placed several times this trip looks on the short side for him, especially on quicker ground. REAL STEEL has been racing exclusively in novice company over hurdles and fences for the past year and has been taking on very strong opposition. He's making his handicap debut here and will be difficult to beat. Usa made his handicap bow in a tough contest at Punchestown and performed with credit behind Jacksonslady. He'll enjoy the faster ground more than most and should get into the frame. Treat Yourself was behind in that latter race and looks held while Mister Hotelier, who was in cracking form in the autumn, has disappointed in recent starts.
Foildubh (IRE) 13-2 (11-2) Chased leader in 2nd, slight mistake 8th, ridden in 3rd entering straight, no extra 3 out and slight mistake, soon no impression, 3rd of 4, 35l behind Letter Of Credit (11-2) at Killarney 2m 4f chs sft.
Real Steel (IRE) 20-1 (11-10) Held up in 4th, ridden in 3rd after 3 out, no impression from 2 out, dropped to moderate 4th at last, 4th of 5, 9l behind Un De Sceaux (11-10) at Punchestown 2m nov chs G1 (1) in Apr.
Fosters Cross (IRE) 22-1 (9-13) Towards rear, in touch in rear when badly hampered and unseated rider 3 out, in a race won by Jacksonslady (10-9) at Punchestown 2m hcap ch in Apr, 16 ran.
Mister Hotelier (IRE) 33-1 (10-3) Held up, took keen hold, 13th after 4th, went 5th approaching straight, moderate 5th when jumped left last, no extra,, 6th of 17, 29l behind Blood Cotil (11-0) at Punchestown 2m 5f nov hcp chs.
Usa (IRE) 9-1 (10-2) Towards rear, headway from 4 out, went 3rd and ridden entering straight, 4th 2 out, no impression, 4th of 16, 16l behind Jacksonslady (10-9) at Punchestown 2m hcap ch in Apr.
Back To Balloo (IRE) 8-1 (10-12) Led, headed before 3 out, mistake 3 out, soon pulled up, in a race won by Parsnip Pete (11-9) at Aintree 2m hcp chs 0-145 (2) gd in Oct, 7 ran.
Is Herself About (IRE) 20-1 (9-8) Led, headed 6th, ridden next, soon weakened quickly, 11th of 16, 41l behind Jacksonslady (10-9) at Punchestown 2m hcap ch in Apr.
Treat Yourself (IRE) 14-1 (9-10) Mid-division, pushed along at 7th, ridden in 8th before 2 out, kept on without threatening from last, 5th of 16, 20l behind Jacksonslady (10-9) at Punchestown 2m hcap ch in Apr.
Formidableopponent (IRE) 7-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, 4th when slight mistake 4 out, ridden on outer before next, no impression, 5th of 8, 19l behind Sizing Solution (10-5) at Down Royal 2m hcp chs in Oct.
Marshim (IRE) 12-1 (10-3) Mid-division, slight mistake 6th, towards rear halfway, progress into 6th 3 out, soon ridden and no impression, kept on one pace from before last where slight mistake, 8th of 16, 19l behind Eight Till Late (11-5) at Wexford 2m 4f hcp hdl 8Evens23 gd in Apr.
