settled mid-division, 6th halfway, ridden in 4th and no impression leaders after 2 out, kept on one pace
held up towards rear, jumped left and unseated rider 6th
mid-division early, dropped towards rear and pushed along 5th, reminders halfway, ridden 6 out, soon no extra and weakened, pulled up after 5 out
chased leaders, 4th halfway, 6th and pushed along 5 out, rear and ridden next, kept on one pace
made all, ridden and joined last, disputed briefly run-in, edged ahead close home
chased leader in 2nd, close up halfway, ridden in 3rd after 2 out, soon no impression and kept on one pace
settled mid-division, 5th halfway, ridden and no impression 2 out, kept on one pace
chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden in 4th and slow 2 out, soon no extra and weakened
held up towards rear, headway into 3rd 2 out, ridden in 2nd after 2 out, stayed on to join leader last, disputed briefly run-in, 2nd and no extra close home
WHATUTHINK is handed a speculative vote in this veteran's event. He's better known over hurdles these days and his close third to Solwhit in a Grade 3 at Naas in January looks a fine effort in light of the winner's achievemt this week. He's a massive 22lb better in over fences and his young rider is good value for his claim. Lastoftheleaders has done best of these over fences recently and he'll be very difficult to keep out of the frame despite having shot up the weights. Dancing Tornado is only 3lb higher than when scoring easily at Limerick in November so must pose a threat and though Blazing Beacon has a long absence to overcome he was in fine form when last seen in the autumn of 2011.
Lastoftheleaders (IRE) 5-1 (11-3) Tracked leaders, in pursuit of winner 2 out, soon no impression, kept on same pace, 2nd of 8, 11l behind Mount Benbulben (11-0) at Thurles 2m 2f chs 0-145 sft in Feb.
Dancing Tornado (IRE) 6-1 (10-9) Held up in rear, ridden into 3rd 2 out, no impression leaders before straight, kept on one pace, 3rd of 5, 27l behind Dressedtothenines (10-13) at Punchestown 2m 4f hdl hvy in Feb.
Powerstation (IRE) 33-1 (11-5) Mid-division, ridden in 14th and no impression 2 out, 13th of 30, 20l behind Prince Rudi (10-6) at Leopardstown 3m hcp hdl sft in Dec.
Whatuthink (IRE) 12-1 (11-3) Chased leaders in 3rd, ridden in moderate 4th 3 out and no threat from next, dropped to 7th before last, 7th of 14, 21l behind Fosters Cross (11-0) at Leopardstown 2m 2f hdl sft.
Blazing Beacon (IRE) 11-8fav (10-12) Reduced visibility, appeared to make all, a bit slow 4th, went on from before 3 out, reduced lead but in control when slight mistake last, stayed on well run-in, won at Wexford 2m 6f chs sft in Oct '11 beating Call Box (10-10) by 4l, 7 ran.
On The Way Out (IRE) 10-1 (10-10) Soon well off the pace in mid-division, closer in 9th before 4 out, kept on same pace from next, 8th of 14, 32l behind Competitive Edge (10-10) at Gowran Park 2m 2f hcp chs hvy.
By The Hour (IRE) 14-1 (10-1) Mid-division headway into 5th 3 out, ridden in 7th entering straight, no extra, 13th of 28, 38l behind Colbert Station (10-11) at Leopardstown 3m hcp chs 0-145 sft in Dec.
Penny's Bill (IRE) 33-1 (10-4) Rear of mid-division, never a factor, moderate 12th entering straight, no extra, 16th of 20, well behind He'llberemembered (10-13) at Leopardstown 2m 5f hcp chs sft.
Beneficial Spirit (IRE) 5-1 (9-12) Waited with towards rear, closer in 7th before 4 out, no impression and kept on same pace from 2 out, 5th of 14, 8l behind Competitive Edge (10-10) at Gowran Park 2m 2f hcp chs hvy.
De Valira (IRE) 13-2 (11-2) Held up in 4th, left 3rd 4 out, ridden and no extra before 2 out, weakened before straight, 4th of 5, well behind Dressedtothenines (10-13) at Punchestown 2m 4f hdl hvy in Feb.
Head Waiter (IRE) 25-1 (11-10) A bit slow 2nd, prominent, lost place 7 out, no extra from before 4 out, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Wilde Wit Pleasure (10-6) at Cork 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 hvy in Jan, 13 ran.
Deputy Consort (USA) 7-1 (11-7) Settled in rear, some headway from 4 out and left 4th next, about 5 lengths down when left in front after 2 out, asserted last and soon ridden, wandered under pressure late run-in, driven right out, won at Downpatrick 2m 2f hcp chs 0-102 beating In The Haven (11-3) by 3l, 8 ran.
