held up off pace early, left last 3rd, improved into 4th 8th, mistake 7 out, weakened before 3 out, tailed off
chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden before 3 out, no extra entering straight, 4th last
chased leaders early, 4th halfway, dropped to rear 8th, niggled before 4 out, ridden in 4th and no impression 3 out, kept on one pace to moderate 3rd last
chased leader, 2nd halfway, ridden before 3 out, no impression entering straight, kept on same pace
held up in rear, fell 3rd
made all, asserted before 3 out, clear entering straight, kept on strongly, easily
LOOSEN MY LOAD looked on track for stardom after completing a hat-trick on his first three starts over fences but things haven't gone according to plan. He's mainly contested Grade races and his second to Realt Dubh at Fairyhouse last year would easily be good enough for this so hopefully he can bounce back to form. Dancing Tornado has been having problems with the obstacles and fell at the last over hurdles at Killarney last time. He's useful when putting it all together but is best watched until getting his confidence back. Askanna is hardly consistent but useful when on song as she was when landing a Grade 3 at Fairyhouse last month. She ran poorly at Down Royal next time but don't be surprised by a much better effort here. Dantes King ran very well in that latter race and has some cracking form though he's another who doesn't always do it.
Dantes King (IRE) 6-1 (11-1) Held up towards rear, headway into moderate 8th 4 out, ridden into 3rd 2 out, 2nd last, no impression winner, kept on same pace, 2nd of 15, 4l behind Any Bets (9-3) at Down Royal 2m 4f hcp chs gd.
Loosen My Load (IRE) 16-1 (10-9) Held up, struggling 10th, well behind 4 out, 15th of 20, well behind Great Endeavour (10-3) at Cheltenham 2m 4f Grade 3 hcp chs (4yo+) (1) gs in Nov.
Your Busy (IRE) 7-1 (9-13) Soon mid-division, struggling from before 4 out, 9th and kept on same pace approaching straight, 10th of 12, 39l behind Casey Top (9-10) at Killarney 2m 6f hcp chs gd.
Askanna (IRE) 8-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, moderate 3rd halfway, ridden in 5th 3 out, no extra before next, 8th of 15, 31l behind Any Bets (9-3) at Down Royal 2m 4f hcp chs gd.
Dancing Tornado (IRE) 8-1 (10-11) Waited with behind leaders, closer in 4th approaching straight, 3rd 2 out, ridden to close on inner and every chance when bad mistake and unseated rider last, in a race won by Won In The Dark (11-0) at Killarney 2m 4f hdl gd, 7 ran.
Whodoyouthink (IRE) 25-1 (9-13) Prominent, no extra from before straight, 15th of 18, 18l behind Satu (9-9) at Killarney 2m 1f hcp hdl gd.
Made In Taipan (IRE) 20-1 (11-2) Well off pace towards rear for most, never a factor, 5th of 6, 34l behind Shot From The Hip (10-13) at Killarney 2m 4f chs gd.
