tracked leaders, mistake 5 out, 6th approaching 2 out, soon no impression under pressure, kept on same pace
close up and disputed lead, headed and no extra 2 out, kept on same pace
soon tracked leaders, challenged and on terms approaching 2 out where in front, strongly pressed run-in and headed on line
never better than mid-division, no extra and pulled up after 3 out
chased leaders, a bit slow 6th, brought down 8th
tracked leaders, a bit slow 5th, lost place 6 out, 8th after 3 out, 7th and no impression approaching next, kept on same pace
waited with, a bit slow 7th, closer order from before 3 out, 3rd next, good run along rail from before last, stayed on well to lead on line
led and disputed, mistake 4 out, headed after 3 out, soon no extra
chased leaders, 5th approaching 2 out, soon no impression under pressure
waited with, closed to track leaders from before 3 out, challenged going well from before next where 2nd, no impression under pressure and kept on same pace run-in
waited with, fell 8th
tracked leaders, lost place and no extra 6 out, pulled up after 3 out
BIG JEMMY won this a year ago and can repeat the process despite a 12lb rise in the weights. He was narrowly beaten by today's rival Kilmurry Kid over the C&D in October when Robertstown Rover was behind and the revised weights point to his chances. The winner is improving and was travelling well when falling at Thurles last time so he looks a big threat along with Dunroe Boy, who ran his best race over fences at Down Royal on Boxing Day. Flamingos Gold was having just her fourth start over the bigger obstacles when runner-up at Wexford and looks well enough handicapped to make her presence felt.
Mattara (IRE) 12-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, 4th 4 out, soon ridden, 3rd 2 out, soon weakened to 5th, left 4th at last, 4th of 16, 25l behind Robertstown Rover (9-5) at Fairyhouse 2m 5f hcp chs 0-102 sft in Dec.
Kilmurry Kid (IRE) 2-1fav (10-7) Tracked leaders, 5th halfway, went 2nd before 5 out and poised to challenge when fell next, in a race won by Son Of Moyne (10-2) at Thurles 3m hcp chs 0-109 in Oct, 18 ran.
Dunroe Boy (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) Chased leaders mainly 5th, pushed along after 4 out, 3rd before 2 out, kept on under pressure without really troubling winner, 3rd of 11, 1 3/4l behind Take A Shot (11-5) at Down Royal 2m 4f hcp chs 0-95 hvy in Dec.
Ta Blazes (IRE) 33-1 (11-7) Always rear, 14th of 16, well behind Cnoc Seoda (11-2) at Thurles 2m 2f beg chs hvy in Nov.
Big Jemmy (IRE) 7-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders on inner, 5th halfway, ridden and no impression in 6th approaching straight, kept on one pace, 6th of 14, 18l behind Happy New Year (11-6) at Limerick 2m 5f am hcp hdle 80-95 hvy in Nov.
Flamingos Gold (IRE) 10-1 (10-2) Towards rear, niggled along from 7th, some headway in 5th approaching 4 out, moderate 3rd and struggling next, ridden to chase winner and no impression from before last, kept on same pace, 2nd of 7, 11l behind Saoirse Dun (11-9) at Wexford 2m 6f hcp chs 0-102 in Dec.
Preswell Lad (IRE) 10-1 (11-8) Towards rear, no extra from 4 out and behind when pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Happy New Year (11-6) at Limerick 2m 5f am hcp hdle 80-95 hvy in Nov, 14 ran.
Robertstown Rover (IRE) 11-2 (10-2) Led and attempted to make all, ridden entering straight and strongly pressed approaching last where headed, no impression on winner run-in, 2nd of 11, 1 3/4l behind Whiskey And Red (11-8) at Thurles 3m hcp chs 0-102 hvy in Dec.
Hu Ha Jo (IRE) 14-1 (11-3) Held up towards rear, headway after halfway and 5th approaching straight, no extra after 3 out, 6th of 11, 30l behind Take A Shot (11-5) at Down Royal 2m 4f hcp chs 0-95 hvy in Dec.
Hillman (IRE) 10-1 (9-7) Prominent, fell 7th, in a race won by Ponmeword (10-6) at Limerick 2m 3f hcp chs 0-109 hvy in Dec, 10 ran.
Mr Bb (IRE) 6-1 (10-8) Led early, lost place from before 7th, soon towards rear, moderate 6th approaching 4 out, soon no impression, kept on, 4th of 7, 28l behind Saoirse Dun (11-9) at Wexford 2m 6f hcp chs 0-102 in Dec.
Star Of Hollywood (IRE) 16-1 (9-9) Tracked leaders, 5th 4 out, soon ridden and no impression, 7th of 16, 44l behind Robertstown Rover (9-5) at Fairyhouse 2m 5f hcp chs 0-102 sft in Dec.
Borolee (IRE) 20-1 (11-3) Mid-division, progress into 2nd 4 out, close 3rd when bad mistake next, soon dropped to 5th, no impression from 2 out, 5th of 16, 32l behind Robertstown Rover (9-5) at Fairyhouse 2m 5f hcp chs 0-102 sft in Dec.
Torremuelle (IRE) 8-1 (10-3) Tracked leaders, 2nd halfway, ridden 3 out and dropped to 4th next, no impression when pecked on landing last, no extra, 5th of 9, 21l behind Urban Gale (11-3) at Downpatrick 2m 2f hcp chs 0-102 sft in Nov.