tracked leaders, 5th halfway, headway in straight and travelled well to challenge after 2 out, ridden and no impression on winner run-in, kept on one pace
prominent and disputed lead, pushed along and headed 2 out, soon no impression and dropped to 5th before last, no extra
tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, headway to challenge early straight, slight mistake 2 out, pushed along and narrowly led last, ridden and kept on well run-in
held up in rear, closer travelling well before 2 out, pushed along in 4th approaching last, kept on one pace run-in
led or disputed lead, pushed along and headed 3 out, soon dropped to rear and no extra after next
tracked leaders, 4th halfway, headway on outer 2 out and pushed along in 3rd approaching last, no extra run-in
Ballyneety made a successful hurdling debut at Gowran and started a short-priced favourite at Punchestown but finished last after weakening quickly from the final flight. Rock Road was only just in front in that latter event and will need much more here as winning bumper LAVERTEEN reappeared in November after almost a year off with an impressive victory over the track and trip. He looks the type to make further progress and gets the vote over Court Maid. Tom Mullins' mare won over 2m4f here then a 3m Punchestown handicap so she may get tapped for pace. Her stable companion Lucky Icon hasn't improved from a shock hurdling debut victory at Ballinrobe and though One First Cut made a successful bumper debut she hasn't won in six starts over timber.
Ballyneety Evensfav (11-0) Tracked leader in 2nd, almost on terms at 5th, led before 4 out, headed after 4 out, disputed 3 out, pecked slightly 2 out and headed, ridden and no impression on leader before last, weakened run-in, last of 5, 16 1/2l behind Due Reward (11-1) at Punchestown 2m gd in Dec.
Laverteen (FR) 3-1 (11-12) Prominent and disputed early, chased leader from 2nd, improved to dispute after 4 out, ridden after 3 out, asserted before last, kept on well, won at Cork 2m mdn Yielding in Nov beating Presented Well (11-12) by 2 3/4l, 9 ran.
Court Maid (IRE) 9-2fav (11-5) Soon chased leaders, slight mistake 2nd, 4th approaching 3 out, 2nd approaching straight, led approaching last, stayed on well run-in to hold on at the finish, won at Punchestown 3m hcp gd in Nov beating Jack Fiasco (11-10) by 1/2l, 15 ran.
One First Cut (IRE) 10-1 (10-9) Held up towards rear, headway between horses entering straight, pushed along to go 5th before last, no impression run-in, 6th of 13, 6 3/4l behind The King Of Brega (11-3) at Thurles 2m hcp gd in Dec.
Rock Road (IRE) 25-1 (10-6) Towards rear, some headway on outer approaching straight, kept on one pace from before last, 6th of 13, 17l behind Clash Of D Titans (10-8) at Leopardstown 2m 4f hcp Good - Yielding in Dec.
Stander (IRE) 33-1 (11-2) Mid-division, no impression from 3 out, never a factor, 7th of 14, 25l behind Warnaq (10-8) at Navan 2m hcp gd in Nov.
Lucky Icon (IRE) 8-1 (10-13) Led, not fluent 2nd, again not fluent 5 out, joined 2 out and soon ridden, headed before last where mistake, soon no extra and weakened to 6th run-in, 6th of 8, 19 1/4l behind Whatsafellatodo (11-3) at Galway 2m 1f Yielding in Oct.
