tracked leaders, 2nd from 2 out, challenged from before last, led and stayed on best run-in
tracked leaders in 3rd, left in lead approaching 5 out, headed before 3 out, dropped to 4th and no impression from 2 out, kept on same pace
chased leaders, dropped behind before 4 out, soon pulled up
led, hung off bend and headed approaching 5 out, led again before 3 out, strongly pressed and headed into straight, dropped to 3rd and no extra from 2 out
raced in touch in 7th, closed to track leaders before 3 out, led into straight, pressed from before last, headed and kept on without matching winner run-in
chased leaders, went 5th after 3 out, no impression under pressure straight, kept on same pace
prominent, 3rd approaching 4 out, weakened from before next, tailed off
towards rear, went 6th before 3 out, no extra from before straight, tailed off
Ballyhaunis appeared suited by 2m4f and quick ground at Listowel in September and doesn't have everything in his favour here. He's obviously talented but may not be up to conceding 7lbs to the equally useful but less enthusiastic BIG ROBERT, who looked certain to score at Punchestown last time but folded after a mistake at the last. He's given a chance to redeem himself here though the very progressive Down Royal winner Monastrell and the returning King Of Ardcarne will make things difficult. Wilde Wit Pleasure has been chasing and may find this on the short side.
Ballyhaunis 4-7fav (11-12) Mid-division early, headway into 6th halfway, improved to 3rd 3 out, challenged 2 out, soon led, ridden and kept on strongly from before last, won at Listowel 2m 4f 5yo mdn hdl in Sep beating Gala Dancer (11-12) by 4l, 18 ran.
Dancing Hero (IRE) 10-1 (10-7) Mid-division, 8th halfway, weakened before 5 out, 13th of 14, well behind Banna Man (9-3) at Galway 2m 1f hcp chs gf in Aug.
King Of Ardcarne (IRE) 13-2 (11-5) Led after 1st, hind bandages came loose 4 out, challenged 3 out, soon headed, ridden in 2nd 2 out, no extra entering straight, kept on same pace, lost 2nd run-in, 4th of 7, 15l behind Footy Facts (11-1) at Punchestown 2m 4f hdl hvy in Dec.
Monastrell 11-4fav (11-12) Made all, challenged 3 out, ridden and kept on well from before 2 out, asserted before last, won at Down Royal 2m mdn hdl sft beating Gift Of Dgab (11-4) by 1 1/4l, 20 ran.
Wilde Wit Pleasure (IRE) 33-1 (10-8) Soon mid-division, 9th before straight, kept on well without threatening under pressure from before last, 4th of 14, 6l behind Sweet Shock (10-6) at Naas 2m 4f hcp hdl sft in Oct.
Barbaric Times (IRE) 50-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, no extra and weakened from 3 out, 18th of 25, well behind Staying Article (11-12) at Naas 2m mdn hdl.
Big Robert 9-2 (11-12) Chased leaders, 7th halfway, headway in 4th 3 out, 3rd next, improved to challenge in 2nd before last, narrow lead when slight mistake last, ridden and kept on run-in, no extra close home, 3rd of 22, 3/4l behind Seafield (11-12) at Punchestown 2m mdn hdl in Oct.
Mr Bits And Pieces (IRE) 50-1 (11-12) Always behind, 23rd of 25, well behind Staying Article (11-12) at Naas 2m mdn hdl.
Toor Brook Honours (IRE) 50-1 (11-6) Mid-division, 8th halfway, ridden and weakened 4 out, 8th of 12, 41l behind Swiftmarc (11-12) at Punchestown 2m 4f hdl gf in May.
