towards rear, some headway after 3 out and 5th entering straight, ridden and no impression after 2 out, no extra in 7th before last, weakened
rear of mid-division, some headway 4 out, pushed along after next and no impression in 8th approaching straight, soon no extra and eased
tracked leader, 2nd halfway, headway to lead after 3 out, ridden and asserted after next, kept on well run-in
tracked leaders, 4th halfway, pushed along 3 out and 6th entering straight, ridden and no impression approaching last, kept on one pace run-in
tracked leader on inner, 3rd halfway, pushed along and lost place after 3 out, no impression from early straight, no extra run-in
tracked leaders, mid-division halfway, headway after 3 out and 3rd when mistake next, ridden and no impression approaching last, kept on run-in to go 2nd closing stages
mid-division on outer, pushed along and headway after 3 out, 4th 2 out, ridden and no impression approaching last, kept on one pace
led, ran wide on bend after 2nd, headed after 3 out, soon dropped towards rear, weakened
mid-division, dropped towards rear 4 out, headway on outer to dispute lead briefly after next, 2nd and ridden after 2 out, no impression on winner approaching last, kept on one pace
always rear, pushed along and detached before 3rd, reminders after 6th, soon weakened, well behind when pulled up before 2 out
Balinaboola Steel carries penalties for completing a double in handicaps but was taking on tough company in a Navan Grade B handicap last time. FLASH DE TOUZAINE is on the upgrade as he showed when scooting away with a course and distance maiden last month. He'll need to improve again but looks capable of doing so and can see off the challenge of Frontal Assault. The latter is another progressive type who will be suited by what should be a real test of stamina. Buck Rogers and Allbarone fought out a finish at Wexford before the runner-up took advantage of heavy going at Limerick while the four-year-old Born Patriot showed tremendous battling qualities to gain a surprise debut victory at Punchestown.
Balinaboola Steel (IRE) 80-1 (9-12) Slightly impeded and pushed along briefly start, waited with, 15th at 7th, headway after 4 out, prominent before straight, no extra from before 2 out, 13th of 20, dist behind Flooring Porter (10-6) at Navan 3m hcp sft in Dec.
Flash De Touzaine (FR) 11-4 (11-6) Tracked leaders on inner, 4th 5 out, close up 3 out and led travelling well next, pushed along and 3 lengths clear before last, kept on well, won at Thurles 2m 7f mdn Yielding - Soft in Nov beating Max Flamingo (11-6) by 4 1/2l, 13 ran.
Frontal Assault (IRE) 2-1fav (11-5) Slow jump 1st and pushed along, soon tracked leaders , some slight mistakes, pushed along again approaching 3 out, under pressure approaching straight, challenged 2 out, gained narrow lead between last 2, soon headed, kept on without matching winner run-in, 2nd of 6, 1/2l behind Jacksons Gold (11-10) at Thurles 2m 7f sft in Nov.
Buck Rogers (IRE) 11-1 (11-3) Waited with towards rear, closed up on outer from 4 out, one pace straight, 7th of 13, 13 1/4l behind Gabbys Cross (11-2) at Punchestown 2m 4f hvy in Dec.
Allbarone (IRE) 8-1 (11-13) Soon chased leaders, slight mistake 8th, soon raced in 5th, closed up before straight, soon pushed along, on terms last, led and stayed on best close home, won at Limerick 3m hvy in Dec beating Young Dev (11-12) by 1/2l, 16 ran.
Born Patriot (IRE) 80-1 (11-10) Slight mistake 1st, chased leaders, 5th after 6th, headway and effort straight, slight mistake last and bumped, stayed on well run-in to lead near line, won at Punchestown 2m 6f mdn hvy in Nov beating All About Joe (11-10) by nk, 13 ran.
Ballycastle Girl (IRE) 16-1 (10-4) Waited with towards rear, 9th after 8th, pushed along briefly 4 out, pushed along again approaching straight, soon switched right, no extra before 2 out, one pace, 5th of 10, 11 1/2l behind Sassy Yet Classy (10-7) at Clonmel 3m hcp hvy in Nov.
Cregane Ned (IRE) 11-1 (12-2) Chased leaders, soon 6th, closed up travelling smoothly straight and effort, under pressure over 1f out, soon one pace in 3rd, 3rd of 9, 9l behind Anglers Crag (12-2) at Fairyhouse 2m Soft - Heavy in Nov.
Exit Eleven (IRE) 50-1 (12-0) Prominent, soon 3rd, slight mistake 6th, slight mistake 4 out and pushed along, under pressure approaching straight, soon no extra, 7th of 18, 34 1/2l behind Clondaw Secret (12-0) at Navan 2m 4f mdn sft in Dec.
X' Girl (IRE) 33-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, a little slow 1st, slightly slow in jumping at times after, disputed 7th after 6th, pushed along at stages after, bad mistake and unseated rider 5 out, at Limerick 2m 3f mdn hvy in Dec.
