tracking leaders when fell at 1st
towards rear, slightly hampered at 1st, headway 4 out, 6th next, ridden after 2 out, 6th when left 5th and slightly hampered at last, no impression
mid-division, slight mistake 3rd, under pressure 4 out, soon no impression, never a factor
in rear, hampered at 1st, headway 4 out, went 5th next, ridden in 5th after 2 out, 5th and left 4th at last, no impression
mid-division, slightly hampered at 1st, ridden 3 out, soon no impression, badly hampered at last
tracked leaders in 3rd, dropped to 4th on inner entering straight, switched right and improved into close 4th approaching last, close 4th when fell at last
always behind, no impression from 3 out, never a factor
disputed lead, headed 5th, improved to lead 3 out, ridden from next, pressed at last, stayed on well run-in
tracked leaders in 4th, ridden in 3rd after 2 out, disputing 2nd at last, kept on same pace in 2nd inside final furlong
disputed lead, slight mistake at 2nd, led 5th, headed 3 out, soon ridden, disputed 2nd at last, no extra in 3rd inside final furlong
tracked leaders, badly hampered at 1st, 7th 3 out, soon ridden, no impression when hampered at last
HEAD TURNER was always travelling nicely when landing a novices' handicap at Fairyhouse and can follow up. Alto Esqua finished behind in that event but has a big pull in the weights and has to be respected while Ardera Cross was having just his second start over fences when scoring at Tramore and his subsequent defeat was over timber. The Irregular has only had three starts over fences and been placed in two of them though he's better handicapped over hurdles. Fenlon's Hill found his form in the autumn and connections can't complain at a 6lb rise for completing a double at Fairhouse but Thirsty Work hasn't been in the best of form.
Ardera Cross (IRE) 13-8fav (11-12) Mid-division, slight mistake 1st, ridden on outer before 2 out, closer in 5th 2 out, no impression before last, kept on one pace, 5th of 10, 6 1/4l behind Pump Road (9-12) at Tramore 2m 5f hcp hvy in Jan.
The Irregular (IRE) 20-1 (11-3) In rear, closed 6th, no impression from 3 out where jumped right and continued to do so straight, moderate 3rd between last 2, kept on same pace, 3rd of 4, 7 3/4l behind Drumconnor Lad (11-3) at Navan 2m 1f Soft - Heavy in Feb.
Alto Esqua (FR) 2-1fav (11-12) Led, pressed early straight, pushed along and headed approaching last, ridden and no extra run-in, 5th of 6, 7l behind Head Turner (11-2) at Fairyhouse 2m hcp Soft - Heavy in Feb.
Head Turner (IRE) 11-4 (11-2) Held up towards rear, headway on outer 3 out, travelled well and led approaching last, soon asserted run-in and kept on well, won at Fairyhouse 2m hcp Soft - Heavy in Feb beating Don't Let Go (10-7) by 2 1/2l, 6 ran.
Justmemyselfandi (IRE) 9-1 (11-12) Held up in last early, 3rd from 6th, dropped off leaders from 7th, no impression from before 4 out, weakened and completely tailed off, 3rd of 4, dist behind Sutton Manor (11-12) at Down Royal 2m 4f hvy in Dec.
Thirsty Work (IRE) 9-4fav (10-13) Held up, slight mistake 1st, 5th halfway, slight mistake 5 out, ridden to challenge entering straight, no extra before last, kept on one pace, 6th of 7, 13l behind Wishmoor (11-1) at Naas 2m 4f hcp Soft - Heavy in Jan.
Art Of Synergy (IRE) 25-1 (11-12) Always behind, no impression from 5 out, behind when fell at last, at Fairyhouse 2m 5f hvy in Jan.
Crosshue Boy (IRE) 9-1 (11-5) Mid-division and 7th halfway, took closer order from 5 out and left in front 3 out, ridden and dropped to 4th before 2 out where mistake, no extra and weakened, 6th of 13, 34 1/2l behind Patsio (10-8) at Limerick 2m 4f hcp hvy in Dec.
Fenlon's Hill (IRE) 8-1 (11-7) Soon chased leaders, 6th at 5th, disputed 3rd approaching straight, 2nd before last, led run-in and stayed on well, won at Fairyhouse 2m 5f hcp Good - Yielding in Oct beating Old Time Melody (10-7) by 1/2l, 16 ran.
Monbeg Chit Chat 5-4fav (11-12) Disputed, led after 1st, slight mistake 4th, joined and disputed at 5th, dropped to 3rd last, ridden in 4th before straight, no extra straight, 7th of 10, dist behind Freeway Space (11-5) at Clonmel 2m 4f hvy in Feb.
Soul Kaliber (IRE) 5-1 (10-4) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, challenged entering straight, 3rd 3 out, ridden in 4th before 2 out, no impression before last and kept on one pace, 4th of 6, 13 1/2l behind Tongie (10-1) at Gowran Park 2m hcp hvy in Feb.
