always prominent, led and disputed from 4 out, headed and ridden 2 out, kept on same pace
tracked leaders, ridden and weakened from 4 out
tracked leaders, ridden and no impression from 4 out
mid-division, weakened from 4 out, tailed off
tracked leaders, 6th 4 out, soon no impression
tracked leaders, weakened from 4 out
towards rear, some progress from 3 out, kept on one paced straight
always prominent, disputed lead from 4th, ridden from 3 out, led next, kept on well from last
always towards rear
held up in rear, headway from 4 out, ridden in 6th entering straight, no impression
soon led, joined from 4th, headed 4 out, soon weakened quickly, tailed off
held up, headway from 3 out, kept on without threatening straight, never nearer
tracked leaders, 3rd 3 out, soon ridden, kept on one paced straight
always towards rear
towards rear, no impression from 4 out
never better than mid-division
mid-division, weakened from 4 out, tailed off
tracked leaders, 6th 3 out, soon ridden and kept on one paced
Winning point-to-pointer Somatic has shown nothing in three maiden hurdles but makes his handicap bow from a lowly mark and is one to note in the betting. Tequila Lord beat a big field of handicappers at Clonmel earlier this month and ran well enough on a return visit last week to suggest he is in good enough form to go well here. MEDIA BARON will love the conditions as it was very testing when he landed a Limerick handicap in December. He didn't stay the extra half-mile at Fairyhouse a month later and looks to have every chance of returning to winning ways here. The biggest threat may come in the shape of Alwaystheoptimist, who landed some nice bets when making all under Pat Kennedy at Punchestown earlier in the month. He was having only his eighth race over timber that day and an 8lb rise doesn't look enough to prevent another big effort.
Alwaystheoptimist 6-1 (11-8) Led and soon clear, reduced advantage halfway, extended lead again before 3 out, stayed on well under pressure from before last, driven further clear run-in, won at Punchestown 2m cond hcp hdl 80-95 hvy beating Accordion To Paddy (12-2) by 13l, 10 ran.
Houmahaka (IRE) 25-1 (11-2) Mid-division, bad mistake 2nd, 9th before 6 out, no extra from 3 out, 12th of 17, well behind Drive On Jim (10-5) at Limerick 2m 6f hcp hdl 80-102 sft in Dec.
Railway Road (IRE) 50-1 (11-1) Never better than mid-division, 8th of 18, 32l behind Trendelenburg (10-13) at Limerick 2m 3f hcp hdl 80-109 hvy in Jan.
Money Trail (IRE) 33-1 (11-2) Mid-division, headway into 6th 5 out, ridden and no extra before 3 out, weakened and tailed off, 12th of 15, well behind Drive On Jim (11-6) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f hcp hdl 80-102 hvy in Jan.
St Killian's Run (IRE) 16-1 (10-12) Close 3rd, 2nd after 4 out, ridden next, dropped to 5th before 2 out, no extra, 7th of 15, 29l behind Concrete And Clay (11-3) at Thurles 2m hcp hdl 8Evens16 sft in Jan.
Sunshine Haven (IRE) 20-1 (9-10) Tracked leaders in 5th, lost place 3 out, soon no extra, 10th of 13, 39l behind Whodoyouthink (11-12) at Gowran Park 2m 1f hcp hdl 8Evens30 sft in Jan.
Somatic (IRE) 33-1 (11-12) Never better than mid-division, 11th of 22, well behind Tofino Bay (11-12) at Punchestown 2m mdn hdl hvy.
Whatsabillion (IRE) 25-1 (10-11) Never better than mid-division, 11th of 18, 49l behind Trendelenburg (10-13) at Limerick 2m 3f hcp hdl 80-109 hvy in Jan.
Moving On (IRE) 16-1 (10-13) Tracked leaders, weakened from 4 out, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Stowaway Pearl (10-0) at Thurles 2m hcp hdl 80-102 hvy, 16 ran.
Tequila Lord (IRE) 9-2 (11-10) Towards rear, closed to chase leaders from before 5 out, 6th into straight, chased winner and no impression under pressure from before last, kept on same pace, 2nd of 14, 11l behind Molko Jack (11-6) at Clonmel 2m Conditional Handicap Hurdle (80-95) (5yo+) hvy.
Manger Hanagment (IRE) 12-1 (11-8) Pulled up before 4th, in a race won by Turnonthegas (11-0) at Punchestown 2m 6f hcp hdl 80-95 hvy, 22 ran.
Beneficial Banks (IRE) Beneficial gelding out of Miss Hi Banks.
Media Baron (USA) 13-2 (11-3) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden in 5th entering straight, no extra and weakened, 15th of 16, well behind Chino Valdes (11-12) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f hcp hdl 80-95 sft in Jan.
Baby's Hot (IRE) 20-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, weakened from before 5 out, 12th of 14, well behind Molko Jack (11-6) at Clonmel 2m Conditional Handicap Hurdle (80-95) (5yo+) hvy.
Gortalasa (IRE) 50-1 (11-12) Mid-division early, headway into 3rd halfway, 2nd briefly 5 out, 4th next, soon weakened, pulled up before last, in a race won by First Lieutenant (11-12) at Punchestown 2m 4f mdn hdl gd in Oct, 23 ran.
Bobby John (IRE) 66-1 (11-5) Mid-division best, kept on one pace, 12th of 28, 42l behind Sydney Des Pictons (11-3) at Navan 2m mdn hdl sft in Jan.
King's Light (IRE) 33-1 (10-7) Tracked leaders, led narrowly after 3 out, soon ridden, headed from 2 out, no impression, 5th of 17, 8l behind City Hustler (10-5) at Gowran Park 2m hcp hdl 80-102 gf in Jun.
Speedlock (IRE) 20-1 (10-5) Towards rear, closer in 5th 3 out, soon ridden and no impression, 4th of 16, 7l behind Stowaway Pearl (10-0) at Thurles 2m hcp hdl 80-102 hvy.
Uncle Taffy (IRE) 14-1 (11-5) Always towards rear, 21st of 28, well behind Accordion To Paddy (10-13) at Navan 2m hcp hdl 80-95 hvy in Jan.
Luke's Benefit (IRE) 66-1 (11-12) Mid-division, moderate 8th halfway, no impression from 4 out, 11th of 21, well behind Lios A Choill (11-12) at Navan 2m mdn hdl hvy.
Nuggets Of Wisdom (IRE) 50-1 (11-2) Prominent, ridden and weakened from 4 out, 12th of 17, 49l behind Stephanie Kate (10-13) at Limerick 2m 4yo mdn hdl in Dec.
