chased leaders, 4th halfway, pushed along after 3 out, challenged 2 out, ridden to narrow lead before last, kept on well run-in
mid-division, hampered 3rd, ridden in 7th and no impression 3 out when hampered, soon no extra
settled behind leaders, 5th halfway, closer in 3rd 3 out, challenged entering straight, disputed 2 out, soon ridden into narrow lead, headed before last, kept on same pace run-in
soon chased leaders, 4th when fell at 3rd
chased leader, disputed 2nd and led next, headed after 4th, 2nd and slight mistake 5th, pressed leader 4 out, narrow lead before 3 out where fell
held up towards rear, brought down 3rd
chased leaders early, lost place 4th and soon towards rear, progress in 6th 3 out, ridden and closer on inner entering straight, attempted to challenge on inner and short of room after 2 out when collided with rail, no extra in 4th last, kept on one pace
held up towards rear, bad mistake 5 out and unseated rider
led, joined 2nd and headed next, 3rd halfway, ridden to lead after 3 out, joined 2 out, soon narrowly headed, no extra in 3rd last, kept on same pace
mid-division, closer order 4th and led after flight, pressed 4 out, narrowly headed briefly before 3 out, headed after 3 out, soon ridden and no extra
Henry De Bromhead puts a claimer up on The King Of Brega to reduce the effect of a 6lb rise for a hard-fought victory over the course and distance last month. He'd earlier won over 2m4f and has scored three times over fences so is very versatile. LIKE AN OPEN BOOK was just over 4l behind in that former event but didn't get the run of the race and though only 1lb better off is taken to reverse the form and land this. Polished Steel was a disappointing favourite in a Limerick maiden on St Stephen's Day and makes his handicap debut while the four-year-old Smiling Eliza has been running in strong company in her own age group.
The King Of Brega (IRE) 11-1 (11-3) Tracked leaders, 2nd halfway, headway to dispute lead approaching straight, pushed along after 2 out, ridden and kept on well run-in to lead close home, won at Thurles 2m hcp gd in Dec beating Political Policy (11-3) by nk, 13 ran.
Western Boy (IRE) 25-1 (11-2) Waited with, 11th approaching halfway, a little slow 4th, not fluent next, weakened straight, tailed off, 16th of 17, dist behind Jetez (10-12) at Leopardstown 2m hcp Good - Yielding in Dec.
Ask Nile (IRE) 8-1 (11-3) Mid-division, dropped to 10th 3 out, soon no impression, 7th of 13, 11 3/4l behind Blast Of Koeman (10-12) at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp gd in Dec.
Like An Open Book (IRE) 11-2 (11-0) Held up in rear, headway after 3 out, not clear run after next, progress between horses to go 3rd at last, no impression run-in, kept on one pace, 3rd of 13, 4 1/4l behind The King Of Brega (11-3) at Thurles 2m hcp gd in Dec.
Tourboy (IRE) 10-1 (11-3) Prominent early, moderate 3rd after 5th, slight mistake 9th, no extra and eased between last 2, completely tailed off, last of 12, dist behind The White Volcano (9-10) at Down Royal 3m hcp gd in May.
Lareena (FR) 33-1 (11-5) Always towards rear, pushed along in rear from 3 out and soon no impression, 10th of 12, 30 3/4l behind Moskovite (11-7) at Limerick 2m hcp sft in Dec.
Polished Steel (IRE) 13-8fav (11-9) Mid-division, took closer order from 3 out and soon went 3rd, switched to inner before next and soon weakened, no extra and kept on same pace from before last, 7th of 17, 26l behind Buckie Cullen (11-12) at Limerick 2m 3f mdn sft in Dec.
Paolozzi (IRE) 50-1 (11-12) Always behind, weakened 5 out, pulled up before 3 out, at Clonmel 2m gd in Jun.
Smiling Eliza (IRE) 33-1 (10-10) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, pushed along in rear after 3 out, no extra in straight, eased, last of 6, dist behind Surin (10-2) at Fairyhouse 2m gd in Jan.
Youngnedofthehill (IRE) 25-1 (10-8) Held up towards rear, progress after 3 out, 7th 2 out, ridden in 6th entering straight, no impression in 5th last, kept on one pace, 4th of 23, 15l behind The Church Gate (10-13) at Leopardstown 2m 4f hcp Good - Yielding in Dec.
