rear of mid-division early, 9th halfway, headway into 5th 3 out, ridden in 7th and no extra entering straight, weakened
held up towards rear, headway into moderate 8th before straight, ridden in 7th 2 out, no impression in 6th last, kept on same pace
mid-division, ridden in moderate 9th and no impression entering straight, 7th last, kept on one pace
mid-division, 8th halfway, ridden and no extra 3 out, soon weakened
chased leaders, 5th halfway, headway into 3rd before 3 out, ridden and no extra entering straight, 6th 2 out, kept on one pace
towards rear for most, never a factor
rear of mid-division, headway into 6th 3 out, ridden into 4th 2 out, no extra before last, kept on same pace
slowly into stride, towards rear, some late headway in 11th entering straight, 10th and kept on one pace from 2 out
chased leaders, 7th halfway, headway in 5th 3 out, ridden into 3rd 2 out, stayed on to lead before last, kept on well
chased leader in 2nd, 3rd 4 out, weakened before next
chased leaders, 6th halfway, ridden and weakened before 3 out
mid-division, weakened before 4 out
chased leaders, 4th halfway, headway into 2nd before 4 out, challenged 3 out, ridden to dispute entering straight, 2nd 2 out, no extra in 3rd last, kept on same pace
slowly into stride, always towards rear, pulled up before 2 out
towards rear for most, never a factor
mid-division, ridden and no impression before 3 out, kept on one pace straight
mid-division, headway into 7th 3 out, ridden into 5th 2 out, kept on same pace from before last
led, ridden and disputed entering straight, headed before last, no extra and kept on same pace
chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out
Plenty of these are in very good shape coming into this including CHINO VALDES, who sauntered to victory under a big weight at Fairyhouse in first-time blinkers. A 12lb rise and better company makes this tougher but he was very impressive that day and gets the nod. Runner-up Kings Army should get closer on these terms but appears unlikely to reverse the form. Glam Gerry had shown plenty of ability without winning until a hard-fought success in a strong Leopardstown handicap. He can make further progress but will need to after an 8lb rise which may enable fourth-placed Mubrook to turn the tables. Lascalahall has only won once in 15 attempts over hurdles but has been going very well recently with narrow defeats in very good handicaps at Fairyhouse and Down Royal. Connections won't be pleased with yet another weight rise but he should still give a good account.
Glam Gerry (IRE) 7-1 (11-3) Mid-division, headway in 6th 3 out, ridden into 4th entering straight, led approaching last, kept on well under pressure run-in, won at Leopardstown 2m 4f hcp hdl 8Evens23 sft in Jan beating Bruach Na Mara (10-13) by 1/2l, 19 ran.
Qualviro (FR) 33-1 (11-9) Rear of mid-division, 14th when mistake 4 out, kept on under pressure from 2 out without threatening leaders, 7th of 21, 25l behind Turner Brown (11-2) at Punchestown 3m hcp hdl 8Evens23 hvy.
Belord (GER) 18-1 (10-4) Towards, some headway approaching 2 out, kept on in straight, 10th of 26, 12l behind Final Approach (10-9) at Leopardstown 2m hcp hdl 0-145 sft in Jan.
Mubrook (USA) 6-1fav (11-0) Chased leaders, 6th halfway, ridden in 5th 2 out, kept on same pace in 4th last, no extra run-in, 4th of 19, 6l behind Glam Gerry (11-3) at Leopardstown 2m 4f hcp hdl 8Evens23 sft in Jan.
Are You The One (IRE) 25-1 (11-7) Towards rear for most, no impression from before 2 out, 12th of 18, well behind Gimli's Rock (11-7) at Punchestown 2m 4yo hdl gd in Apr.
Bohemian Lass (IRE) 33-1 (9-8) Mid-division to halfway, pulled up before 8 out, in a race won by Majestic Concorde (11-9) at Leopardstown 3m hcp chs 0-145 hvy in Dec, 28 ran.
Chino Valdes (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Mid-division, 10th halfway, headway into 5th 2 out, travelled well to lead last, not extended, won at Fairyhouse 2m 4f hcp hdl 80-95 sft in Jan beating Kings Army (11-0) by 2l, 16 ran.
Night Alliance (IRE) 12-1 (9-10) Mid-division, weakened after 4 out, 19th of 21, well behind Square Sphere (10-4) at Punchestown 3m hcp hdl sft in Jan.
Lascalahall (IRE) 7-1 (11-6) Mid-division, 9th halfway, headway into 7th 3 out, ridden in 4th 2 out, stayed on into close 3rd last, challenged run-in, just held, 2nd of 20, hd behind Garryowen Star (11-3) at Down Royal 2m 4f hcp hdl 80-109.
Royal Luck (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden and lost place 3 out, no extra in straight, behind when brought down at last, in a race won by Wood Lily (11-0) at Fairyhouse 2m mdn hdl in Jan, 10 ran.
Colls Corner (IRE) 9-2 (11-3) Tracked leaders in 3rd, 2nd halfway, 3rd 4 out, soon ridden, weakened approaching 3 out, 11th of 14, 33l behind Tiernan's Terror (10-9) at Gowran Park 2m 4f hcp chs 0-116 sft in Jan.
Fivestar Alstars (IRE) 25-1 (10-6) Soon 2nd, 3rd and driven along 4 out, ridden and lost place 3 out, no extra next, 9th of 19, 40l behind Benash (11-12) at Naas 2m hcp hdl 8Evens23 in Jan.
Prince Of Milan (IRE) 33-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, 7th halfway, progress into 4th 4 out, dropped to 6th approaching 2 out, soon no extra, 6th of 21, 22l behind Raptor (11-12) at Punchestown 2m 4f Maiden Hurdle (5-6yo) sft in Jan.
Garrai Ard (IRE) 50-1 (11-6) Mid-division, weakened halfway, pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Concrete And Clay (11-3) at Thurles 2m hcp hdl 8Evens16 sft in Jan, 15 ran.
Mc Paddy (IRE) 33-1 (11-4) Mid-division, headway in 8th 4 out, 4th 3 out, ridden 2 out, no extra before last, kept on same pace, 4th of 18, 18l behind Allee Garde (11-4) at Down Royal 2m 4f mdn hdl.
Career Move (IRE) 9-1 (11-0) Always prominent and jumped left at times, led after 4 out, ridden when jumped left 2 out, strongly pressed and joined at last, regained narrow lead run-in, kept on well, won at Cork 2m mdn hdl sft in Nov beating Golden Society (11-12) by 1/2l, 14 ran.
The Buck (IRE) 6-1 (10-7) Tracked leaders, 4th approaching straight, no impression under pressure from 2 out, kept on same pace, 4th of 14, 9l behind Le Marquis (11-8) at Cork 2m 3f hcp hdl 80-109 sft in Dec.
The Flying Dustman (IRE) 20-1 (11-5) Led, headed 3rd, weakened before halfway, pulled up before 8 out, in a race won by Beautiful Sound (11-12) at Fairyhouse 3m 1f hcp chs 0-116 hvy in Jan, 15 ran.
Kings Army (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, headway to challenge in 2nd entering straight, ridden to lead 2 out, headed last, no extra and kept on same pace, 2nd of 16, 2l behind Chino Valdes (11-12) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f hcp hdl 80-95 sft in Jan.
Matchbook (IRE) 20-1 (9-8) Held up in touch, progress into 6th 3 out, 5th before 2 out, kept on same pace, 6th of 13, 11l behind Whodoyouthink (11-12) at Gowran Park 2m 1f hcp hdl 8Evens30 sft in Jan.
Trumph Card (IRE) 20-1 (10-10) Rear of mid-division, progress into 6th after 3 out, soon ridden, 4th 2 out, no extra, 5th of 16, 13l behind Ephorus (11-9) at Limerick 2m 2f Handicap Hurdle (80-102) (3yo+) in Dec.
Stabilo (GER) 4-1fav (10-13) Chased leaders, moderate 3rd into straight, soon no impression under pressure and kept on same pace, 4th of 18, 22l behind Get In There (10-7) at Limerick 2m 6f hcp hdl 80-95 hvy in Jan.
