prominent and disputed, led 5th, ridden and pressed approaching 2 out, asserted before last, kept on well
settled behind leaders early, 4th halfway, 3rd and mistake 3 out, ridden and no extra before next
always towards rear, slight mistake 7th, no extra 5 out
always towards rear, slight mistake 4th, ridden and no extra before 4 out
led and disputed, headed 5th, 2nd halfway, ridden in 4th before 2 out, soon no extra
mid-division, progress into 3rd after 3 out, ridden and no impression on leaders before 2 out, kept on one pace
chased leaders, 5th halfway, ridden to press leader approaching 2 out, under pressure in 2nd before last, kept on same pace
chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden in 5th after 3 out, no impression in 4th 2 out, kept on one pace
always towards rear, behind when mistake and unseated rider 4 out
rear of mid-division for most, mistake 2nd, weakening and bad mistake 4 out, no extra
held up, mid-division in 7th halfway, progress into 5th 3 out, soon ridden and no extra before next
John McConnell has done a fine job with ITSALONGLONGROAD (NAP), who won on the Flat here in August, at Dundalk in November and landed a beginners' chase at Downpatrick in September. He carries a penalty here but Simon Torrens' claim will be a major plus. Brex Drago has won three times over hurdles and scored nine times on the Flat but is 0-15 over fences with just one placed effort to his credit. Favori Logique was beaten a long way at Punchestown last month on just his second start over fences though ran a better race on his chasing debut here while Hell On Earth, who had shown some potential over hurdles, was stopped in his tracks by a blunder at the fourth last on his debut over fences here. Dual hurdles winner Wild Desire ran well when placed on heavy ground at Clonmel and wouldn't need much more to get into the frame again while Miss Cedille will be better for last month's opening run over fences at Down Royal.
Itsalonglongroad 25-1 (10-2) Waited with towards rear, a little keen, 12th over 4f out, headway and effort straight, kept on without threatening inside final furlong, 4th of 14, 2 1/2l behind Make The Switch (9-7) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp pol in Dec.
Ballea Fox 7-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, ridden and no extra entering straight, kept on one pace, 6th of 14, 37 1/4l behind Keep The Peace (10-11) at Fairyhouse 2m 7f hcp Soft - Heavy in Dec.
Brex Drago (ITY) 66-1 (10-13) Mid-division, slight mistake 6th, no extra and dropped towards rear before 4 out, weakened, 11th of 13, dist behind Jack Dillinger (11-12) at Thurles 2m 2f hcp sft in Dec.
Cash Me Outside (IRE) 25-1 (11-7) Rear of mid-division, no impression from 3 out, never a factor, 9th of 12, dist behind Moscowsowhat (12-0) at Tramore 2m 5f hvy in Dec.
Downthecellar (IRE) 17-2 (11-12) Mid-division early, keen hold to chase leaders at 5th, disputed briefly 6th, 2nd halfway, slight mistake 8th, ridden 3 out, under pressure in 3rd 2 out, no extra before last, kept on one pace, 5th of 12, 23l behind Ificudiwud (11-12) at Roscommon 2m 4f mdn sft in Aug.
Favori Logique (FR) 150-1 (12-0) Mid-division, no impression from 4 out, remote 8th entering straight, never a factor, 9th of 17, dist behind Captain Guinness (12-0) at Punchestown 2m hvy in Dec.
Good Luck Hope (IRE) 250-1 (12-0) Always towards rear, slight mistake 4 out, never a factor, 9th of 11, dist behind Front View (12-0) at Fairyhouse 2m Soft - Heavy in Dec.
Hell On Earth (IRE) 14-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders, 3rd and blundered badly 3 out, not recover and continued behind, 10th of 11, dist behind Yaiza (11-6) at Tramore 2m Yielding in Oct.
Miss Cedille (FR) 14-1 (11-7) Always towards rear, slight mistake 2nd, pushed along in rear halfway, no extra before 3 out, 12th of 13, dist behind Arahecan (12-0) at Down Royal 2m 4f sft in Dec.
Rockaway Beach (IRE) 200-1 (12-0) Mid-division, pushed along and dropped towards rear after 4 out, no extra, 9th of 13, dist behind Capilano Bridge (12-0) at Thurles 2m mdn sft in Nov.
The Rebel Knight (IRE) 150-1 (12-0) Held up, no impression before 4 out, never a factor, 7th of 11, dist behind Front View (12-0) at Fairyhouse 2m Soft - Heavy in Dec.
Wild Desire (IRE) 80-1 (11-7) Held up, progress into 6th after 3 out, ridden entering straight, disputed 3rd 2 out, 2nd before last, kept on same pace, dropped to 3rd run-in, 3rd of 13, 10l behind Epson Du Houx (12-0) at Clonmel 2m hvy in Dec.
Tintown Robin (IRE) 8-1 (12-0) Waited with, soon rear of mid-division, pushed along from 3 out, soon no impression, 9th of 11, 36 1/2l behind Rolling Revenge (11-6) at Clonmel 2m 2f hcp gd in Oct.
