rear of mid-division, headway after 3 out and led after 2 out, strongly pressed and slight mistake last, ridden and headed run-in, no impression on winner closing stages
tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, pushed along and lost place after 6 out, rallied to go 2nd 3 out, pushed along and no impression in 4th approaching last, kept on one pace run-in
rear of mid-division on inner, never a factor, pushed along and no impression after 4 out, slight mistake next, no extra
mid-division, slow 1st, pushed along and dropped towards rear 6 out, no extra from 3 out, kept on one pace
led, mistake 2nd and headed, tracked leader and 2nd halfway, led again 4 out, ridden and headed after 2 out, no impression in 5th before last, no extra
mid-division when fell 3rd
towards rear, never a factor, mistake 4 out, pushed along and no impression after 3 out, kept on one pace run-in
always towards rear, never a factor, reminder after 2nd and hampered after next, reminders again after 8th, detached after 4 out, no extra
prominent early, mid-division halfway, no impression and slight mistake 3 out, no extra
tracked leaders, 6th halfway, headway into 3rd before 5 out, pushed along on inner and short of room approaching straight, went 2nd after 2 out, challenged when jumped right and pecked last, ridden to lead run-in and kept on well
tracked leaders, pecked 2nd, headway to lead 5th, headed 4 out, ridden and no extra after next, weakened
held up towards rear, slightly hampered 3rd, headway on outer approaching 3 out, ridden and no impression after 2 out, no extra
prominent and led after 2nd, headed 5th, 4th halfway, pushed along 2 out and no impression in 3rd before last, kept on one pace
tracked leaders, reminder after 4th, 5th halfway, no impression and slight mistake 2 out, no extra approaching last
FR HUMPHREY was returning from a very long absence and racing for a new yard when making all in first-time blinkers over slightly shorter at Fairyhouse. He would have won more convincingly but for a last-fence error and, though up 7lb, can again take care of runner-up Thekingofconnemara. Cowboy Des Long was a bit unlucky not to lose his maiden tag when narrowly beaten in testing going at Tramore last week though faces a tough test on his handicap debut over fences. Gunfire Reef had been running well before getting off the mark at Punchestown last month and though an 8lb rise looks harsh it will be a surprise if he's not involved again. Loch Luatha hasn't been running badly but a strike-rate of 0-29 hardly inspires confidence.
Gunfire Reef (IRE) 5-1 (10-8) Held up towards rear, progress into mid-division after 8th, 6th travelling well entering straight, 3rd 2 out, improved to dispute last, ridden to narrow lead run-in, kept on well close home, won at Punchestown 2m 7f hcp gd in Nov beating Se Mo Laoch (11-0) by 1 1/4l, 15 ran.
Double Portrait (IRE) 7-1 (10-6) Tracked leaders, 4th when reminders after 8th, ridden and no extra after 3 out, weakened, behind and pulled up before last, at Down Royal 3m hcp Good - Yielding in Nov.
Thekingofconnemara (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) In touch, 4th after 5th, 6th after 15th, good headway to close 4 out, lost place 3 out, soon ridden, one paced after 2 out, 7th of 13, 16l behind Se Mo Laoch (11-1) at Punchestown 3m 2f hcp Yielding in Dec.
Moroval (IRE) 16-1 (11-12) Mid-division, 8th halfway, moderate 5th after 4 out and no impression approaching 2 out, no extra, kept on one pace, 5th of 14, dist behind Veneziano Springs (11-12) at Tramore 2m 5f hvy in Dec.
Fr Humphrey (IRE) 14-1 (11-4) Made virtually all, ridden clear after 2 out, mistake at last, kept on well run-in, won at Fairyhouse 2m 7f hcp gd in Nov beating Thekingofconnemara (11-12) by 3 1/2l, 13 ran.
Bridies Boy (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, 7th halfway, lost position and no impression from 3 out, no danger when badly hampered and unseated rider 2 out, at Limerick 3m hcp gd in May.
Dawn Light Cave (IRE) 25-1 (10-7) Chased leaders, 5th after 6th, pushed along from 4 out where slight mistake, kept on same pace from next, 11th of 20, 27 1/4l behind Ronald Pump (11-12) at Cork 2m 4f hcp Soft - Heavy in Dec.
Tj Goodtymes (IRE) 66-1 (11-5) Soon towards rear, moderate 9th from 6th, soon no danger, 8th of 10, dist behind Amaulino (11-9) at Tipperary 2m 7f sft in May.
Hawk Eye Down (IRE) 40-1 (10-1) Close up, 5th after 5th, mistake at 9th, 7th after 15th, under pressure and lost place after 4 out, weakened after 3 out, 9th of 13, dist behind Se Mo Laoch (11-1) at Punchestown 3m 2f hcp Yielding in Dec.
Loch Luatha (IRE) 25-1 (11-7) Mid-division, 6th halfway, headway into 2nd after 12th and led next, headed after 3 out, pushed along before 2 out and no impression approaching last, kept on one pace, 4th of 16, 5 3/4l behind Rocky's Silver (11-2) at Tramore 2m 5f hcp hvy in Dec.
Allied Victory (IRE) 25-1 (9-11) Refused to race, at Navan 2m 4f hcp Yielding - Soft in Dec.
Well Joey (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) Waited with, a little slow at 1st, 10th after 6th, closer in 6th approaching 3 out, no extra and one pace from before next, 5th of 11, 17 1/4l behind Barna Venture (11-7) at Thurles 2m 2f hcp gd in Nov.
Fergiethelegend (IRE) 16-1 (10-4) Mid-division, mistake 5th, closer in 4th at halfway, no impression from 4 out, 7th of 11, 23 1/4l behind Sizing Rome (11-7) at Punchestown 3m 1f hcp gd in Oct.
Glacial Shadow (IRE) 7-1 (12-2) Mid div, 7th 5out, prog to 5th 3out, sow hme str, 2nd of 17, 6l behind Winsor Vixen (11-11) at Tattersalls Farm 3m mdn sft in Dec.
Cowboy Des Long (FR) 8-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, headway to dispute lead 6th, headed before 8th, remained prominent and progress to dispute again after 3 out, ridden and mistake next, led briefly last, headed run-in and rider lost whip 50 yards out, no impression on winner close home, 2nd of 14, 3/4l behind Veneziano Springs (11-12) at Tramore 2m 5f hvy in Dec.
