tracked leaders, not fluent 1st, slight mistake 3rd and pushed along briefly, reminders 6th, soon lost place, no danger from before 8th, completely tailed off
soon disputed lead, pushed along and headed after 9th, 5th 3 out, soon no extra, tailed off
soon disputed lead, slight mistake 5th, led after 9th, pushed along before straight, bumped slightly at last, soon narrowly headed and kept on without quite matching winner
chased leaders, travelling smoothly before straight, on terms 2 out, dropped to 3rd between horses at last, kept on same pace run-in
tracked leaders, took keen hold early, not fluent 3 out, travelling smoothly before straight, on terms 2 out where slight mistake, gained narrow lead and stayed on well run-in
chased leaders, reminder and close up after 7th, pushed along briefly approaching next where not fluent and soon under pressure, no extra and pulled up after 9th
slightly impeded 1st, soon under pressure in rear, moderate 6th and no impression from 3 out, kept on same pace
held up, not fluent 8th, closer in 4th 3 out, no impression and kept on same pace from before straight
This is a very tight handicap where nothing can be dismissed. SHUILAMACH gets the nod by virtue of her liking for testing conditions, which she proved at Cork last time where she stayed on very strongly over slightly shorter. Sydney Thompson was having just his second start since March when battling on over 2m4f here a fortnight ago and is well enough weighted to get involved as is Really Unique, who bounced back to form at Limerick. Pencilhimin completed a double on testing ground in November and though beaten twice subsequently the latest was over fences where he broke a blood vessel. Romantic Fashion has also been chasing and she's only 1lb higher than when scoring over timber at Ayr last March.
Shamiran (IRE) 11-1 (11-9) Chased leaders, 4th from 7th, jumped right 5 out, 5th 3 out, soon no impression, moderate 4th straight, left 3rd from last and 2nd close home, 2nd of 8, 10l behind Sonny B (11-12) at Limerick 2m 6f beg chs in Dec.
Pencilhimin (IRE) 15-8fav (11-1) Soon led and disputed, inclined to jump slightly left, joined 10th, headed 3 out where not fluent, dropped to 3rd next, no extra and eased straight, pulled up before last, in a race won by Treacy's Star (9-13) at Punchestown 2m 4f cnd hcp chs (0-109) sft, 10 ran.
Romantic Fashion (IRE) 16-1 (11-7) Prominent when fell 1st, in a race won by Gitane Du Berlais (10-10) at Limerick 2m 3f beg chs in Dec, 10 ran.
Shuilamach (IRE) 5-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, travelling smoothly straight, soon challenged in 2nd, not fluent 2 out, not fluent again last, soon led, ridden out, stayed on well, won at Cork 2m 4f mares hcp hdl 80-109 hvy beating Kindly Vinnie (11-7) by 5l, 9 ran.
Really Unique (IRE) 7-1 (11-3) Chased leaders, moderate 4th at 6th, closed travelling smoothly straight, challenged and bad mistake 2 out, soon no impression, 4th at last, kept on same pace run-in, 3rd of 13, 2 3/4l behind Rue Hill (9-6) at Limerick 2m 4f hcp hdl hvy in Dec.
Cappacurry Zak (IRE) 8-1 (10-10) Held up, soon towards rear, 10th after 8th, under pressure from 4 out, some headway to dispute moderate 5th when slight mistake 2 out, one pace, 5th of 13, 21l behind Ravished (10-11) at Limerick 3m hcp hdl hvy in Dec.
Kymin's Way (IRE) 16-1 (11-8) Soon mid-division, 8th from 7th, slight mistake 8th, 9th before straight, 6th 2 out, moderate 5th at last, kept on without troubling winner closing stages, 3rd of 16, 3 1/2l behind Old Time Melody (10-6) at Fairyhouse 2m 7f hcp hdl 80-109.
Sydney Thompson (IRE) 9-1 (10-4) Chased leaders, 7th halfway, went 4th before 2 out, ridden and slight mistake last, kept on one pace into 3rd run-in, 3rd of 8, 3 1/2l behind Golden Plan (10-11) at Thurles 2m 4f hcp hdl.
