in rear, headway into 11th 2 out, soon ridden, 9th at last, kept on well run-in to go 3rd close home, never nearer
prominent, led 4 out, ridden and headed 2 out, soon weakened
mid-division on outer, mistake 1st, no impression from 3 out, never a factor
tracked leaders on inner, ridden 3 out, soon weakened
mid-division, 13th on outer 2 out, soon ridden and no impression
tracked leaders, 3rd 2 out, ridden in 2nd entering straight, kept on same pace from last
towards rear, fell 4 out
in rear, moderate 16th 2 out, soon ridden, progress into 10th at last, kept on without threatening, never nearer
mid-division, checked briefly after 3rd, ridden in 9th 2 out, 5th at last, no extra
tracked leaders, 6th 2 out, soon ridden, 7th at last. checked after last, no extra
tracked leaders, ridden after 3 out, dropped to 14th 2 out, soon no impression
mid-division, good headway into 4th travelling well 2 out, ridden to lead approaching last, edged left inside final furlong, stayed on well
mid-division on outer, ridden from 4 out, soon weakened
towards rear, slight mistake 3rd, brought down 4 out
tracked leaders early, dropped to rear at 3rd, soon no impression, never a factor
mid-division, ridden in 7th 2 out, 6th at last, no extra
mid-division, ridden in 10th 2 out, soon no impression
rear of mid-division, ridden in 12th 2 out, soon no impression, never a factor
mid-division on inner, headway 3 out, improved to lead next, ridden entering straight, headed approaching last, checked briefly inside final furlong, no extra close home
mid-division, ridden in 8th 2 out, soon no extra
in rear, no impression from 3 out, never a factor
tracked leaders, slight mistake 4 out, ridden and weakened from next
rear of mid-division, brought down 4 out
led, headed 4 out, ridden and weakened after next
No favourite has won this in nine years and the highest winning weight has been 10st 10lb. Snake Eyes came for this a year ago but got no closer than sixth. However, he arrives in better form this time having won a Listed contest at Sandown so should get into the action. Waxies Dargle looked a nice prospect when scoring at Fairyhouse in November and has been kept fresh for this while Shantou Ed and Katie T are closely matched on their placed efforts at Fairyhouse in November and that looks strong form. Rock The World wasn't far behind Shantou Ed here last month but Pink Coat will need to defy a very long absence which may prove beyond him. CLONDAW WARRIOR landed the November Handicap here on the Flat and though subsequently beaten in Grade 3 company at Cheltenham and Ascot he's on a fair mark and is given the nod over John Quinn's Doncaster winner Kashmir Peak.
Ted Veale (IRE) 25-1 (11-12) In rear, not fluent 1st, hampered 3rd, closer in 3rd before straight, soon no impression, went 2nd run-in, joined for that position on line, 2nd of 6, 17l behind Clarcam (11-1) at Leopardstown 2m 1f nov chs Grade 1 (4yo+) (1) sft in Dec.
Lucky Bridle (IRE) 2-7fav (11-7) Led and well clear, took keen hold, mistake 4 out, not fluent 3 out, stayed on well from before straight, unchallenged, won at Limerick 2m hdl in Nov beating Shamar (11-12) by 12l, 4 ran.
Rock The World (IRE) 4-1fav (11-2) Mid-division, progress into 5th before 2 out, travelled well into 2nd before last, ridden to dispute last and slight mistake, kept on same pace in 2nd run-in, not reach winner, 2nd of 13, 1 1/4l behind Shantou Ed (10-4) at Leopardstown 2m hcp hdl hvy in Dec.
Shadow Catcher 6-1 (11-8) Mid-division, 5th halfway, ridden and no impression in 8th 3 out, no extra straight, 8th of 12, 35l behind Fosters Cross (10-10) at Thurles 2m hcp hdl hvy in Dec.
Kashmir Peak (IRE) 5-2 (11-3) Tracked leader, led before last, soon clear, easily, won at Doncaster 2m hcp hdl (2) sft in Dec beating Laudatory (11-9) by 5l, 5 ran.
Savello (IRE) 33-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, ridden in rear and no impression before 3 out, last of 9, 31l behind Twinlight (11-12) at Leopardstown 2m 1f chs G1 (1) hvy in Dec.
Waxies Dargle 5-2 (11-12) Chased leaders, moderate 6th after 2nd, went 4th before straight, led travelling smoothly between horses before 2 out, soon clear, stayed on well run-in, comfortably, won at Fairyhouse 2m hdl in Nov beating Digeanta (11-12) by 2 1/2l, 12 ran.
Draco 10-1 (10-11) Held up towards rear, mistake 5th, ridden in 11th entering straight, stayed on into 6th last, kept on same pace run-in, 5th of 13, 9l behind Shantou Ed (10-4) at Leopardstown 2m hcp hdl hvy in Dec.
Pink Coat 5-2fav (9-10) Tracked leaders, headway 3 out, improved to lead 2 out, soon ridden, kept on well under pressure run-in, won at Fairyhouse 2m hcp hdl in Nov '13 beating Maxim Gorky (9-12) by 2l, 13 ran.
Snake Eyes (IRE) 3-1fav (10-11) Behind, smooth headway 2 out, chased leaders approaching last, ridden to lead towards finish, ran on, won at Sandown 2m lst hcp hdl (0-150) (1) sft in Dec beating Amore Alato (11-11) by 1/2l, 8 ran.
Shantou Ed (IRE) 8-1 (10-4) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, mistake and ridden 2 out, stayed on to lead before last, disputed last, kept on well in lead run-in, won at Leopardstown 2m hcp hdl hvy in Dec beating Rock The World (11-2) by 1 1/4l, 13 ran.
Katie T (IRE) 5-2fav (10-8) Held up, 12th early, progress after 4th, 5th before straight, 3rd and no impression from 2 out, one pace, 3rd of 16, 16l behind Princess Leya (10-0) at Fairyhouse 2m hcp hdl in Nov.
Kylestyle (IRE) 25-1 (10-13) Mid-division, soon 9th, no extra from before straight, 11th of 16, well behind Princess Leya (10-0) at Fairyhouse 2m hcp hdl in Nov.
Clondaw Warrior (IRE) 5-1fav (10-0) Took keen hold in mid-division, mistake 5th, pushed along before 4 out, plugged on from 2 out, no threat, 7th of 18, 12l behind Bayan (11-5) at Ascot 2m hcp hdl Grade 3 (1) gs in Dec.
Too Scoops (IRE) 12-1 (11-11) Led and disputed, ridden and challenged 3 out, soon headed, no extra in 3rd after 2 out, 4th last, kept on one pace, 4th of 21, 8l behind Shabra's Bertolini (9-8) at Navan 2m hcp hdl 8Evens23 in Dec.
Fort Smith (IRE) 1-7fav (11-12) Tracked leader in 2nd, close 2nd when not fluent 2 out, soon ridden, no impression on winner after last, dropped to 3rd inside final furlong, 3rd of 8, 2 1/2l behind Lisclogher Lad (11-9) at Naas 2m 3f mdn hdl sft.
Rightdownthemiddle (IRE) 10-1 (10-4) Chased leader, 2nd halfway, ridden in 4th 2 out, no impression before last, kept on same pace, 4th of 13, 8l behind Shantou Ed (10-4) at Leopardstown 2m hcp hdl hvy in Dec.
Sea Beat 16-1 (10-0) Towards rear when blundered 4 out, never a factor, 14th of 18, well behind Bayan (11-5) at Ascot 2m hcp hdl Grade 3 (1) gs in Dec.
Modem 13-2 (11-5) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden straight and 4th last, no impression run-in, 3rd of 13, 7l behind Shemshal (11-5) at Leopardstown 2m nov hcp hdl sft in Dec.
Pairofbrowneyes (IRE) 7-1 (10-10) Mid-division early, improved into 4th halfway, ridden into 2nd after 2 out, stayed on to lead approaching last, kept on well under pressure run-in, won at Punchestown 2m hcp hdl 0-140 sft in Nov beating Pivot Bridge (10-9) by 1 1/4l, 10 ran.
Bishopslough (IRE) 16-1 (10-3) Held up early, mid-division halfway, ridden in 9th 2 out, no impression before last, kept on one pace, 7th of 13, 22l behind Shantou Ed (10-4) at Leopardstown 2m hcp hdl hvy in Dec.
Follow The Sign (IRE) 11-1 (11-2) Prominent, 3rd early, led after 3 out, clear 2 out, jumped right at last, tired run-in and headed on line, 2nd of 21, ns behind Westerners Son (10-9) at Leopardstown 2m 2f hcp hdl 80-116 sft in Dec.
Cacheofgold (IRE) 12-1 (10-6) Mid-division, progress into 5th before 2 out, ridden to challenge entering straight, led after last and kept on well, won at Galway 2m mrs hcp hdl gd in Jul beating Supreme Vic (9-8) by 1 3/4l, 17 ran.
Forty Foot Tom 10-1 (9-12) Prominent, close up after 4th, on terms 4 out, soon led, clear from 3 out, jumped left last, stayed on well run-in, won at Leopardstown 2m 1f hcp chs sft in Dec beating Treat Yourself (10-4) by 4 1/2l, 12 ran.
Captain Carleton (IRE) 11-1 (10-11) Mid-division, 9th after 4th, hampered 4 out, 4th approaching straight, 3rd travelling smoothly 3 out, 2nd before 2 out, led approaching last, soon clear, stayed on well run-in, won at Cork 2m hcp hdl in Oct beating Snapchat (10-6) by 4l, 14 ran.
