led narrowly, headed before 3rd and raced in clear 2nd, moderate 2nd before 4th, took closer order at 10th, led narrowly before 3 out, headed and dropped to 3rd 2 out, no extra in 4th before last where left 3rd
tracked leader, a little keen, led and clear with rival before 3rd, asserted after 3rd, clear before 4th where not fluent, reduced lead at 10th, headed before 3 out, led 2 out, headed last where unseated rider
mid-division, moderate 5th after 3rd, reminders after 8th, weakened after 4 out, pulled up before 3 out
in touch, moderate 3rd after 3rd, took closer order at 10th, closed 3 out, led last, driven out
rear, moderate 10th after 3rd, effort and progress before 3 out, slight mistake in 3rd 2 out, soon ridden and switched right, left 2nd last where not fluent, kept on, not trouble winner
towards rear, moderate 8th after 3rd, moderate 9th before 7th, under pressure after 4 out, moderate 8th before 2 out where jumped right, kept on to moderate 5th
rear of mid-division, dropped to moderate 9th after 3rd, moderate 7th before 7th, progress after 10th, weakened after 2 out, pulled up before last
towards rear, moderate 6th after 3rd, progress after 10th, lost place 2 out, weakened run-in
mid-division, moderate 7th after 3rd, not fluent at 4th, moderate 8th before 7th, progress after 9th, no impression in 5th before last where left 4th, no extra
in touch, not fluent at 1st, moderate 4th after 3rd, progress after 10th, weakened after 4 out, pulled up before 3 out
OPTIONAL MIX has been in such good form over hurdles and fences that she's certain to take some beating with Rob James' claim a huge plus. The lightly-raced Irish Blaze makes his handicap debut over fences having chased home the useful Limerick Lace at Down Royal while Handsworth, runner-up at Aintree in December, found 3m taxing his stamina at Navan. Weihnachts has won over 2m around here and scored over this trip at Cork last time but was behind the selection at Wexford earlier. The veteran Hurricane Darwin completed a hat-trick over banks, hurdles and regulation fences before a fair effort behind Delta Work back at Punchestown and Sunnyvilla's two victories have been at around this trip and, though climbing the weights, he should have more to offer.
Optional Mix (IRE) 5-1 (11-12) Led, slight mistake 6th, joined after 4 out, slight mistake and headed 2 out, soon ridden, no impression in 2nd last, kept on same pace, 2nd of 15, 2 1/4l behind Bluebell Diva (10-8) at Gowran Park 2m 4f hcp Soft - Heavy in Jan.
Irish Blaze (IRE) 4-1 (11-4) Tracked leader in 2nd, led from 4th, ridden and strongly pressed before 2 out, headed after 2 out, no impression on winner run-in, kept on same pace, 2nd of 5, 8l behind Limerick Lace (11-12) at Down Royal 2m sft in Jan.
Handsworth (IRE) 14-1 (11-4) Rear of mid-division, brought down at 1st, at Navan 3m hcp Good - Yielding in Feb.
From The Ashes (IRE) 9-2 (11-3) Held up in 5th, slight mistake 8th and dropped to rear, pushed along in 6th 3 out, ridden in 5th and no impression on leaders from 2 out, 5th of 7, 13 3/4l behind Angels Dawn (11-13) at Down Royal 3m hcp sft in Jan.
Hurricane Darwin (IRE) 14-1 (12-0) Held up towards rear, progress into mid-division 17th, 3rd 3 out, ridden and no impression from next, 4th at last, no extra, 6th of 17, 13 1/4l behind Delta Work (11-9) at Punchestown 3m 1f Yielding in Nov.
Weihnachts (IRE) 18-1 (10-3) Towards rear, headway into 4th before 4 out, went 3rd 3 out, pushed along and headway to lead last, ridden and kept on well run-in, won at Cork 2m 4f hcp Soft - Heavy in Jan beating Ballyadam Destiny (10-2) by 1 3/4l, 8 ran.
Soloman Lane 10-3fav (11-8) Towards rear, 7th halfway, slightly hampered 3 out, pushed along before next, soon no impression, 7th of 10, 30 3/4l behind Sunnyvilla (11-2) at Fairyhouse 2m 5f hcp Yielding in Feb.
Sunnyvilla (IRE) 10-1 (11-2) Rear of mid division, progress into 3rd halfway, close 2nd after 3 out, disputed 2 out, ridden to lead last, kept on well, all out, won at Fairyhouse 2m 5f hcp Yielding in Feb beating Priory Park (11-6) by hd, 10 ran.
Better Times Ahead (IRE) 4-1jfav (10-11) In rear, ridden 3 out, moderate 8th next, no impression, 8th of 10, 36 1/4l behind Shakeytry (11-12) at Fairyhouse 2m 1f hcp sft in Jan.
Kalli's Quest (IRE) 9-1 (11-3) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, 3rd 4 out, in touch in 4th and going okay when fell 2 out, at Fairyhouse 2m 5f hcp Soft - Heavy in Jan.
