chased leaders, 6th halfway, went 3rd 4 out, ridden straight, progress to lead last and slight mistake, kept on well run-in
chased leaders, 7th halfway, no impression in 4th 3 out, no extra approaching straight, weakened
disputed lead early, mistake 1st and headed, pushed along after 2nd, 4th halfway, lost place after 7th and pulled up before next
always towards rear, never a factor, 9th halfway, pushed along and no extra after 4 out, tailed off
chased leaders, never a factor, pushed along in rear before 8th, moderate 7th entering straight, kept on one pace
chased leaders, blundered 5th and dropped to rear, 8th halfway, ridden and no extra when mistake 4 out, soon pulled up
prominent, disputed lead from 3rd, led before 4 out, joined 3 out and headed after next, under pressure and challenged last where not fluent, 3rd and no impression run-in
tracked leaders, 5th halfway, 6th 4 out, soon pushed along and no extra, weakened
led and disputed lead, headed before 4 out, no impression in 5th and slight mistake next, moderate 4th approaching last
tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, progress to dispute 3 out and led entering straight, ridden and headed last, no impression on winner run-in
Betterthanalright won this in 2012 but rarely runs over hurdles these days. But he's been in good form over fences recently and is no forlorn hope to produce a long-range double. TRIPLETS JOY also ran over fences last time though that was his debut and he's handed the vote to revert successfully to hurdling. He's 7lb higher than his victory on testing ground at Fairyhouse in November but Luke Dempsey is excellent value for his 5lb claim and can steer home another winner following his treble over the weekend. Ryansbrook is certain to attract support after his demolition job here last month, especially as the placed horses occupied the first two spots on their next starts. He looks a very progressive type but an 11lb rise may just prove a step too far against the selection. Toon River looks a threat as he arrives in winning form after scoring over fences at Gowran and can run from a 20lb lower mark than over the bigger obstacles. Tiger Bay Lady and Really Unique are others will chances in a very competitive handicap.
Captainofthefleet (IRE) 20-1 (10-6) Rear of mid-division, 16th halfway, some progress in 10th 2 out, went 7th last, kept on one pace, 6th of 18, 18l behind Lean Araig (10-12) at Punchestown 3m hcp hdl sft.
Ryansbrook (IRE) 5-1 (11-4) Held up, 6th at 7th, improved 8th, 3rd approaching straight, soon on terms, led 2 out, soon clear, stayed on well run-in, easily,, won at Thurles 2m 6f mdn hdl hvy in Jan beating Vedettariat (11-4) by 11l, 12 ran.
Whatuthink (IRE) 50-1 (10-6) Led, headed 10th, pushed along and lost place 3 out, weakened, 15th of 18, 33l behind Lean Araig (10-12) at Punchestown 3m hcp hdl sft.
Golden Plan (IRE) 33-1 (10-3) Tracked leader, 2nd halfway, led and slight mistake 10th, joined after next, headed 2 out and soon no extra, weakened, 12th of 18, 23l behind Lean Araig (10-12) at Punchestown 3m hcp hdl sft.
The Bishop Looney (IRE) 7-2fav (11-3) Chased leaders, slightly slow 1st and 2nd, not fluent 3rd, reminder 6th, 8th after next, slightly slow 9th, not fluent 5 out, 8th 3 out, under pressure in 6th approaching straight, no extra 2 out, 6th of 10, 35l behind Character Actor (10-12) at Limerick 2m 6f hcp chs (10yo+) in Dec.
Really Unique (IRE) 4-1fav (10-13) Tracked leaders, took keen hold early, not fluent 9th and 3 out, travelling smoothly before straight, on terms 2 out where slight mistake, gained narrow lead and stayed on well run-in,, won at Thurles 2m 6f hcap hdle hvy in Jan beating Romantic Fashion (11-4) by 1/2l, 8 ran.
Toon River (IRE) 8-1 (11-6) Led, inclined to jump right, hampered by loose horse before 4 out, joined before straight, strongly pressed and not fluent 2 out, led again last, stayed on well run-in, won at Gowran Park 2m 4f hcp chs beating Letter Of Credit (11-11) by 2 3/4l, 13 ran.
Triplets Joy (IRE) 5-1 (11-7) Prominent, not fluent 6th, led before 4 out, headed next, on terms 2 out, headed before last, one pace,, 3rd of 11, 5l behind Our Katie (11-4) at Thurles 2m 6f mrs beg chs hvy in Jan.
Betterthanalright (IRE) 13-2 (11-7) Led and disputed, slight mistake 6th, slightly slow and joined next, jumped slightly right 9th, not fluent 10th, headed from before 3 out, soon no extra, slightly impeded last,, 4th of 17, 24l behind Davy From Milan (11-5) at Navan 3m hcp chs 0-109 sft in Jan.
Tiger Bay Lady (IRE) 13-2 (10-12) Held up towards rear, 9th after 8th, soon headway, 7th 3 out, moderate 5th approaching straight, soon no impression, one pace, 3rd of 13, 10l behind Ravished (10-11) at Limerick 3m hcp hdl hvy in Dec.
