A very poor handicap in which the claim of Steven Fox should help WHISKY GALORE enter the winner's enclosure for the first time. He was beaten a long way at Hexham last time but Mark McNiff's charge has produced better efforts in the past and this looks his chance. Samantha Jones has shown enough to suggest she can get into the mix while the likes of Western Man and Whatdreamsrmadeof are well enough weighted if managing to find some improvement though this looks a race where the market could prove a good guide.
Whisky Galore 13-8 (11-5) In touch, outpaced after 3 out, headway after next, soon chasing winner, never able to challenge, modest 2nd, 2nd of 5, 20l behind Swiss Art (10-11) at Hexham 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) hvy.
Paddys Pride (IRE) 14-1 (11-10) Mid-division, ridden in 9th entering straight, soon no extra, 17th of 27, 50l behind Hidden Shamrock (11-2) at Navan 2m 7f hcp hdl 80-95 sft in Sep.
Harrington (IRE) 11-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, mistake 4 out, weakened from next, 11th of 13, 18l behind Turner Brown (11-7) at Punchestown 2m hcp hdl 80-109 gd in Oct '10.
Samantha Jones (IRE) 11-1 (10-11) Prominent, in front into straight, headed before 2 out, soon no impression and kept on same pace, 6th of 16, 12l behind Magic Spear (11-12) at Killarney 2m 1f mdn hdl sft in Sep.
Clash Rebel (IRE) 8-1 (10-2) Soon mid-division, progress approaching 3 out, on terms into straight, headed after 2 out, soon no impression, kept on same pace, 6th of 20, 9l behind Micks (10-8) at Gowran Park 3m hcp hdl 80-116 sft in Nov.
Run Mary (IRE) 25-1 (10-0) Chased leaders, went in pursuit of winner approaching 2 out, soon no impression under pressure, kept on same pace, 5th of 13, 23l behind Ordinary Man (11-10) at Tramore 2m 5f hcp hdl 80-109 sft.
Timaras Princess (IRE) 20-1 (9-13) Waited with towards rear, 10th after 5 out, no impression under pressure approaching 2 out, kept on without threatening, 4th of 13, 22l behind Ordinary Man (11-10) at Tramore 2m 5f hcp hdl 80-109 sft.
Western Man (IRE) 10-1 (10-6) Waited with, fell 5 out, in a race won by Fair Dilemma (11-5) at Listowel 2m cond hcp hdl 80-102 hvy in Sep, 12 ran.
Hawks Cliff (IRE) 7-1 (11-4) Alw pr, rdn in tch aftr 3out, not qckn last, ko, 4th of 14, well behind Fergiethelegend (12-0) at Punchestown Points 3m ire ptp hvy in Feb.
Vic Chic (IRE) 25-1 (11-1) Towards rear, some late headway straight, never a factor, 9th of 27, 27l behind Hidden Shamrock (11-2) at Navan 2m 7f hcp hdl 80-95 sft in Sep.
Whatdreamsrmadeof (IRE) 14-1 (11-0) Mid-division, weakened 4 out, 22nd of 27, well behind Hidden Shamrock (11-2) at Navan 2m 7f hcp hdl 80-95 sft in Sep.
Foildearg (IRE) 16-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, 4th 3 out, soon ridden and no impression, 6th of 16, 18l behind Kai Li (11-0) at Ballinrobe 2m hcp hdl 80-95 sft in Sep.