tracked leaders in 3rd, 2nd and ridden to challenge from after 3 out, every chance approaching last, no extra run-in
held up towards rear, 7th and some progress 4 out, no extra from next, trailing straight
tracked leaders in 5th, 4th 4 out, 3rd and appeared to be travelling best after 3 out, not fluent 2 out, soon no extra under pressure
tracked leaders in 4th, improved into close 2nd 5 out, dropped to 5th 2 out, no extra
tracked leaders, 4th halfway, 6th 3 out, progress into 4th 2 out, kept on same pace from before last
made all, ridden and strongly pressed from 2 out, driven out and stayed on well from last, comfortably
always behind, trailing from 4 out
held up towards rear, 7th 3 out, staying on at one pace when slow last
behind from halfway, trailing from 4 out
tracked leaders, 5th 4 out, 6th and no impression before 2 out, soon no extra
held up, 8th 3 out, soon no extra
The veteran Dancing Tornado is no back-number as he showed when gaining his first success since 2010 when tackling fences at Limerick three weeks ago. Sweet My Lord won a novice chase on his debut over fences at Tramore but has run poorly since so it's no surprise to see him back over hurdles and he has to be respected. Stablemate Bishopsfurze was a better hurdler and scored twice over fences in his novice season. He'll be back over the bigger obstacles before long but should still go well here. FOLSOM BLUE's three victories last season included a Listed event but he didn't produce the goods when fancied on his reappearance at Naas a month ago. He is handed another chance in a race where most of his opponents, including the potentially useful Son Amix, will be plying their trade over fences this season.
Folsom Blue (IRE) 9-4fav (11-7) Tracked leader in 2nd, ridden and dropped to 4th after 2 out, no extra, 4th of 5, 12l behind Maller Tree (11-0) at Naas 2m 4f hdl sft in Oct.
Owennacurra Milan (IRE) 9-2 (11-4) Held up in mid-division, ridden in 6th before 2 out, soon no extra and weakened, tailed off, 7th of 9, 43l behind Lastoftheleaders (11-3) at Galway 2m hcp hdl in Oct.
Sweet My Lord (FR) 7-2 (11-2) Held up early, 5th halfway, 4th 4 out, ridden and no impression before 2 out, kept on one pace, 4th of 9, 18l behind Pride Of The Artic (11-8) at Tipperary 2m 4f nov chs (1) hvy in Oct.
Charlie's Vic (IRE) 9-2 (11-5) Soon behind and slow jumps, pushed along and no extra from 5 out, pulled up before next, in a race won by Clarach (11-6) at Sligo 2m 4f mares hcp hdl 8Evens23 gd in May, 16 ran.
Becauseicouldntsee (IRE) 16-1 (10-10) Led, mistake 4th, slight mistake 4 out and headed, ridden and no extra before 2 out, weakened, last of 6, well behind Un Beau Matin (10-10) at Punchestown 2m 6f hdl hvy.
Bishopsfurze (IRE) 11-2 (11-7) Towards rear, mistakes, some headway 3 out, 7th next, ridden and no impression in 6th when pecked on landing last, eased, 8th of 14, 31l behind Caduceus (10-2) at Punchestown 3m 1f hcp chs 0-150 sft in May.
Count Salazar (IRE) 50-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, well off the pace, no impression and kept on same pace from before straight, 5th of 7, 30l behind Staying Article (11-12) at Cork 2m hdl sft.
Dancing Tornado (IRE) 10-3 (11-10) Tracked leaders, 5th halfway, mistake 10th, smooth headway to challenge 2 out, pushed along to dispute when left clear last, kept on well run-in, won at Limerick 3m Handicap Chase (9yo+) hvy beating Doctor Woodfield (10-0) by 7l, 8 ran.
Hatrick Harry (IRE) 14-1 (11-7) Mid-division, 7th 6f out, progress from 4f out, soon ridden, kept on same pace from 2f out, 5th of 14, 28l behind Buckers Bridge (11-9) at Gowran Park 2m 2f N H flat sft in Mar.
Son Amix (FR) 7-4 (11-11) Settled behind leaders, 5th halfway, improved to 3rd 4 out, ridden entering straight, stayed on to challenge last, kept on run-in to lead close home, won at Punchestown 3m beg chs hvy in Dec beating Soll (11-12) by nk, 7 ran.
Tullintain (IRE) 12-1 (11-9) Soon mid-division, no impression and kept on same pace from before straight, 8th of 10, 20l behind Highdownhill (10-5) at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 hvy.
