tracked leaders, disputed halfway and led 5 out, travelling best in straight and asserted approaching last, drew clear run-in
mid-division, no extra from 3 out
tracked leaders, 4th halfway, ridden and no impression in 5th entering straight, no extra in 4th from 2 out
rear of mid-division, no impression in moderate 6th entering straight, no extra from 2 out
tracked leaders on inner, 7th halfway, no threat from 3 out
always towards rear, never a factor
led, joined halfway and headed 5 out, remained prominent and tried to challenge 2 out, soon no chance with winner and kept on one pace, no extra and dropped to 3rd closing stages
towards rear, never a factor, 11th approaching straight, kept on one pace to go distant 5th late run-in
rear of mid-division, never a factor
rear of mid-division, 11th halfway, 6th 3 out and headway to briefly go 2nd entering straight, no impression in 3rd 2 out, kept on one pace under pressure to regain 2nd closing stages
tracked leader in 2nd, mistake 4th, ridden in 4th 3 out and soon no extra, weakened
mid-division, 8th halfway, no extra from 4 out, weakened, behind when pulled up before 2 out
tracked leaders, 5th halfway, no extra in 7th entering straight
tracked leaders, 6th halfway, 3rd 3 out, pushed along and dropped to 5th before next, no extra, eased when beaten run-in
Fairy Court is usually thereabouts while Noble Pageant has ability and could figure if bouncing back from a couple of recent below-par efforts in handicaps. But he's had plenty of chances and the one to beat is almost certainly BALLYCASEY, whose defeat of Our Vinnie in a Leopardstown bumper just under a year ago suggests he should have too much class for these. The runner-up won a Grade 3 hurdle at Cork last month and already has Cheltenham on his agenda. Stillwater Cove was a promising fourth in a Punchestown bumper last month but may need more time.
Ballycasey (IRE) 5-1 (11-10) Mid-division, 7th halfway, headway in 6th 3f out, led entering straight, ridden and kept on well from over 1f out, won at Leopardstown 2m 4f N H flat in Dec '11 beating Our Vinnie (11-7) by 1 1/2l, 11 ran.
Blimey O'Riley (IRE) 14-1 (9-0) Towards rear, ridden over 3f out, never near leaders, 8th of 11, 8l behind Malekov (9-1) at Yarmouth 1m 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Sep (flat).
Tabac Brun (FR) 13-2 (11-7) Settled behind leaders early, improved to 2nd halfway, ridden 3f out, no extra in 3rd 2f out, kept on one pace, 6th of 9, 16l behind Apache Stronghold (11-4) at Down Royal 2m N H flat gd in Nov.
Better Again (IRE) 66-1 (11-7) Always towards rear, 20th of 22, well behind Champagne Fever (11-12) at Cork 2m mdn hdl sft in Nov.
Bronco McMahon (IRE) 10-1 (12-0) Chsd ldrs, 3rd from 1/2way, ld aftr 2out, chall bef last where outjumped & hdd, no ex flat, 2nd of 15, 1l behind Highland Lodge (12-0) at Kilworth 3m ire ptp gs in Mar '11.
Canon Sheehan (IRE) 7-1 (12-0) Alw rr, mstks 6th & 7th, mod 9th 4out & sl prog bef 3out, bhnd from 2out, 7th of 11, 40l behind Duhallowcountry (12-0) at Dromahane 3m ire ptp gs in Nov.
Explosive Issues (IRE) 66-1 (11-7) Towards rear, never a factor, kept on one pace in straight, 9th of 14, 24l behind Courageous Cry (11-2) at Limerick 2m mdn hdl hvy in Nov.
Fairy Court (IRE) 4-1 (11-4) Led or disputed lead, headed before 2 out and no impression in 3rd approaching last, kept on one pace, 3rd of 16, 7l behind Ontheground (11-4) at Wexford 2m mdn hdl gd in Oct.
Happy Tobe Here (IRE) 66-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders on outer, dropped to rear after halfway, weakened, completely tailed off, 15th of 17, well behind Make Your Mark (11-7) at Leopardstown 2m 4f 4yo mdn hdl gd in Dec '11.
Ilongtosee (IRE) 100-1 (10-13) Rear of mid-division when mistake and unseated rider 3rd, in a race won by Ontheground (11-4) at Wexford 2m mdn hdl gd in Oct, 16 ran.
Noble Pageant (IRE) 11-1 (11-3) Held up towards rear, ridden and no impression 3 out, kept on one pace, 7th of 13, 41l behind Followmeuptocarlow (10-10) at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp hdl 80-109 hvy in Nov.
Real Appeal (IRE) 50-1 (10-11) Chased leaders, 5th before straight, soon no impression under pressure, hampered and kept on same pace from 2 out, 4th of 16, 26l behind Home Farm (11-4) at Thurles 2m 2f Maiden Hurdle (5-6yo) in Nov.
Scobie (IRE) 5-2 (12-0) Mid div, gd prog to ld 4out, wknd 3out, rr & pu last, in a race won by Having Nightmares (12-0) at Ballingarry 3m ire ptp sft in Jun '10, 14 ran.
Colley Row (IRE) 16-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, ridden entering straight and dropped to 7th 2 out where badly hampered, left moderate 5th after last, 5th of 16, 16l behind Bullet Street (11-9) at Limerick 2m cond mdn hdl hvy in Nov.
Stillwater Cove (IRE) 5-1 (11-4) Mid-division, 6th halfway, ridden in 5th 1 1/2f out, 4th and no impression 1f out, kept on one pace, 4th of 10, 11l behind O Maonlai (11-7) at Punchestown 2m 4yo nhf hvy in Nov.
Agamemnon (IRE) 66-1 (11-7) Soon mid-division, 11th 5 out, no impression and kept on same pace from after 4 out, 16th of 22, 50l behind Champagne Fever (11-12) at Cork 2m mdn hdl sft in Nov.
