disputed lead early, tracked leader and 2nd halfway, slight mistake 4 out, 4th and slight mistake next, soon pushed along, 2nd and no impression on winner entering straight, kept on one pace
disputed lead and led from 3rd, slight mistake 2 out, pushed along and 5 lengths clear entering straight, kept on well final furlong
tracked leaders, 4th halfway, 2nd briefly 2 out, pushed along and no impression in 4th entering straight, no extra 1 1/2f out
tracked leaders, 4th when fell 3rd
towards rear, headway 3 out, 3rd and pushed along entering straight, soon no impression and no extra final furlong
always towards rear, never a factor, pushed along and no impression after 3 out, weakened, tailed off
mid-division, 3rd halfway, 2nd 3 out, pushed along and dropped to 4th next, soon weakened and in rear approaching straight, completely tailed off
BILLAWAY, beaten narrowly in the last two Foxhunters at Cheltenham, will be aiming to go one better in March and should have a nice prep run here. He had Winged Leader over six lengths behind in a similar race at Down Royal just over a year ago and, though beaten narrowly by Stand Up And Fight at Fairyhouse in November 2020, he's easily reversed that form since. Winged Leader had Warriors Tale over four lengths behind at Listowel last summer and looks the main threat.
Billaway (IRE) 9-4fav (12-2) Led, not fluent at 3rd and joined, led from 13th, ridden and joined from 2 out, stayed on well inside final furlong, headed line, 2nd of 14, shd behind Bob And Co (12-2) at Punchestown 3m 1f Yielding in Apr.
Winged Leader (IRE) 4-6 (12-2) Chsd ldr, 8l 2nd 1/2way, 1l down 4out, rdn aftr 3out, 1l dwn appr str, chall ldr again flat & jnd on line, won at Loughbrickland 3m sft in Nov beating Mighty Stowaway (12-2), 4 ran.
Stand Up And Fight (IRE) 6-1 (12-2) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, weakened before straight, pulled up before 2 out, at Down Royal 2m 5f sft in Dec.
Warriors Tale 14-1 (12-2) Tracked leaders disputing 3rd, ridden in last after 3 out, no impression, last of 4, 30 1/2l behind Vaucelet (12-2) at Fairyhouse 3m Good - Yielding in Nov.
Its All Guesswork (IRE) 9-2 (12-2) Chased leaders early, held up from 4th, towards rear and no impression after 3 out, ran out 2 out, at Down Royal 2m 5f sft in Dec.
Vital Island (IRE) 3-1 (12-2) Chsd ldrs, 2nd 1/2way, rdn bef 5out in cl 2nd, chall ldr & sn wo bef 4out, chall run-in, kow cl hm, game, won at Lingstown 3m gs in Nov beating Mighty Stowaway (12-2) by 1/2l, 9 ran.
Hello Arlene (IRE) 3-1 (11-6) Ld, 2l adv 7th & chall aftr 3out, 1 1/2l adv 2out, slwd into last & hdd aftr mstk, now 3rd & no ex, 3rd of 6, 3 1/4l behind Magheroarty Star (11-11) at Lingstown 3m mdn gd in Dec.
Poli Roi (FR) 16-1 (12-2) Held up in rear, progress entering straight, travelled well into 2nd before 2 out, ridden approaching 2 out where jumped left, weakened before last and pulled up at fence, at Down Royal 2m 5f sft in Dec.
