towards rear, plenty to do in rear of mid-division when brought down 2 out
prominent, led 4th until headed next, ridden in 5th from 2 out, kept on same pace
reluctant to line-up, mid-division, ridden and no impression from 2 out
tracked leaders, weakened from 3 out
prominent, led after 3 out, ridden and strongly pressed entering straight, headed before last, no extra run-in
rear of mid-division, no impression from 3 out
mid-division, no impression from 3 out
rear of mid-division, slightly hampered 1st, plenty to do in rear of mid-division when badly hampered and unseated rider 2 out
mid-division, headway from 3 out, 4th travelling well next, close 2nd at last, kept on run-in
mid-division, weakened from 3 out
mid-division when mistake and unseated rider 1st
disputed lead early, headed 3rd, weakened from 4 out
mid-division, headway from 3 out, 2nd next, ridden to lead before last, slight mistake and soon headed, weakened run-in
mid-division, 10th 2 out, soon ridden and headway, 5th before last, led early run-in, stayed on well close home
mid-division, weakened from 3 out, pulled up before next
towards rear, no impression from 3 out
mid-division on outer, 9th 2 out, soon no impression
prominent, ridden in 7th 2 out, weakened
mid-division, pushed along 3 out, no impression in 11th when fell next
tracked leaders, 6th 2 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace
prominent, led 4 out, headed after next, ridden in 3rd from 2 out, under pressure when bad mistake at last, no extra run-in
disputed lead early, led from 3rd, headed next, weakened from 4 out
mid-division, weakened from 3 out
towards rear, some progress into 14th 2 out, went 9th at last, stayed on well run-in to go 2nd close home
mid-division, no impression from 3 out
tracked leaders, weakened from 3 out
in rear, no impression from 3 out
mid-division on inner, no impression from 3 out
This is always one of the season's toughest handicaps to unravel but there's no denying the obvious chance of INIS MEAIN this time. From a yard that place their horses brilliantly, he was a revelation on the Flat last summer, winning four times and leaping a colossal 52lb in the ratings as a consequence. He reverts to hurdling on a very lenient mark and has to be the selection. Citizenship won this a year ago from Leah Claire and it's the runner-up who looks to have the best chance of the pair this time as she's been in better form. King Of Queens is doing everything right though a 10lb rise for his latest success looks harsh while the novice Ted Veale may lack the experience for such a gruelling event. Discoteca could provide each-way punters with some joy as he ran very well here last month on only his second start since the Galway Festival in July.
Rattan (USA) 14-1 (10-13) Mistake 1st, always towards rear, never involved, tailed off, 13th of 21, well behind Cause Of Causes (10-13) at Ascot 2m Listed hcp hdl (1) hvy in Dec.
Joxer (IRE) 7-4 (11-2) Tracked leaders in 3rd, went 2nd 2 out, ridden and tried to challenge approaching last, kept on same pace run-in without really troubling winner, 2nd of 4, 1l behind Midnight Game (11-12) at Thurles 2m Lstd hdl (1) hvy in Dec.
King Of Queens (IRE) 7-2fav (10-12) Reluctant to line up, made all, ridden after 2 out, kept on well, won at Fairyhouse 2m hcp hdl sft in Dec beating Celtic Cailin (10-2) by 2 1/4l, 14 ran.
Loch Ard (IRE) 4-1 (11-7) Waited with last of the 6, 5th from 6 out, 4th and no impression 2 out, kept on same pace, 4th of 6, 21l behind Love Rory (11-3) at Limerick 2m 4yo hdl hvy in Dec.
Il Fenomeno (ITY) 12-1 (11-2) Rear of mid-division, headway into 10th after 3 out, ridden and no impression 2 out, 11th of 17, 17l behind Cairdin (10-12) at Leopardstown 2m hcp hdl 0-140 sft in Dec.
Shadow Catcher 6-1 (11-0) Waited with well off pace towards rear, some headway from 2 out, soon no impression and kept on same pace, 7th of 13, 17l behind Hisaabaat (11-0) at Punchestown 2m 4yo hdl Grade 1 (1) hvy in Apr.
De Valira (IRE) 7-2 (11-3) Keen hold, prominent, 3rd before straight, no extra approaching last, last of 5, 8l behind First Lieutenant (11-6) at Cork 2m 4f nov chs Grd 3 (1) sft in Nov '11.
Thomas Edison (IRE) 33-1 (10-6) Behind, modest headway when mistake 2 out, never on terms, 10th of 21, 33l behind Cause Of Causes (10-13) at Ascot 2m Listed hcp hdl (1) hvy in Dec.
Ted Veale (IRE) 10-1 (11-1) Held up towards rear, headway in 5th 3 out, ridden into 3rd 2 out, stayed on into 2nd last, pressed winner run-in, no extra close home, 2nd of 7, 1 1/2l behind Sizing Rio (10-12) at Navan 2m nov hdl Grd 3 (1) in Nov.
Burn And Turn (IRE) 12-1 (11-2) Settled behind leaders, 5th halfway, 4th after 3 out, ridden in 3rd entering straight, 2nd and no impression winner before last, kept on same pace, 2nd of 11, 7l behind Zuzka (11-5) at Leopardstown 2m 4f hdl G3 (1) sft in Dec.
Saint Gervais (IRE) 16-1 (11-3) Rear of mid-division, headway into 9th entering straight, ridden into 6th last, kept on same pace run-in, 6th of 17, 9l behind Cairdin (10-12) at Leopardstown 2m hcp hdl 0-140 sft in Dec.
Whodoyouthink (IRE) 25-1 (10-7) Led, ridden entering straight, challenged last, headed run-in and no extra, kept on same pace, 2nd of 30, 1/2l behind Prince Rudi (10-6) at Leopardstown 3m hcp hdl sft in Dec.
Citizenship 16-1 (11-1) Chased leaders, 8th halfway, ridden in 7th entering straight, no extra before last, 13th of 17, 21l behind Cairdin (10-12) at Leopardstown 2m hcp hdl 0-140 sft in Dec.
Abbey Lane (IRE) 7-4fav (11-2) 2nd of 11, shd behind Fahamore (11-2) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f hdl hvy.
Sportsmaster (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, 10th 4 out, no impression before 2 out, 12th of 14, 39l behind King Of Queens (10-12) at Fairyhouse 2m hcp hdl sft in Dec.
Leah Claire (IRE) 10-1 (10-7) Held up towards rear, headway entering straight, 10th before last, ridden into 7th last, kept on run-in, just held for 2nd, 3rd of 17, 4 1/2l behind Cairdin (10-12) at Leopardstown 2m hcp hdl 0-140 sft in Dec.
Silver Friend 12-1 (10-11) Chased leaders, 6th halfway, improved to 3rd 4 out, ridden and no extra before 2 out, 11th of 14, 32l behind King Of Queens (10-12) at Fairyhouse 2m hcp hdl sft in Dec.
Hit The Headlines (IRE) 7-1 (11-2) Mid-division, 8th 3 out, headway into 3rd 2 out, ridden approaching last, no impression and kept on one pace run-in, 4th of 16, 2 1/4l behind Supreme Carolina (10-13) at Leopardstown 2m hdl sft in Dec.
Inis Meain (USA) 28-1 (10-8) Mid-division, weakened before 3 out, 16th of 21, well behind Lifestyle (11-2) at Aintree 2m cond hcp hdl (2) gd in Apr.
Munsaab (IRE) 14-1 (10-11) Waited with towards rear, headway 3 out, soon chasing leaders, kept on same pace under pressure from after 2 out, 5th of 11, 11l behind Fahamore (11-2) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f hdl hvy.
Mallowney (IRE) 25-1 (10-2) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, headway entering straight and ridden to go 2nd approaching last where slight mistake, kept on same pace run-in, 2nd of 14, 1 3/4l behind Canaly (11-6) at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp hdl hvy in Dec.
Forty Foot Tom 16-1 (10-2) Chased leaders in 3rd, close up before 2 out, ridden in 2nd entering straight, no impression winner before last, kept on same pace, just held 2nd close home, 2nd of 17, 4 1/2l behind Cairdin (10-12) at Leopardstown 2m hcp hdl 0-140 sft in Dec.
Peak Raider (IRE) 7-1 (10-9) Always towards rear, 12th of 16, 44l behind Jacksonslady (10-13) at Leopardstown 2m 1f hcp chs sft in Dec.
Rocky Wednesday (IRE) 16-1 (11-2) Waited with towards rear, improved 3 out, kept on same pace under pressure from after next, 7th of 11, 18l behind Fahamore (11-2) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f hdl hvy.
Flying Light (IRE) 10-1 (11-5) Settled in rear of mid-division, some headway into 7th 2 out, headway between horses to lead before last, kept on under pressure run-in, held on well, won at Leopardstown 2m nov hcp hdl sft in Dec beating Grange (11-10) by nk, 14 ran.
First Impressions (IRE) 14-1 (11-3) Towards rear early, headway into 8th halfway, ridden into 5th entering straight, no extra before 2 out, 10th of 18, 42l behind Bog Warrior (11-12) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f hcp hdl 8Evens23 sft in Dec.
Decade Player (IRE) 25-1 (9-9) Chased leader in 2nd, disputed before 2 out, slight mistake 2 out, soon ridden and no extra, 14th of 17, 28l behind Cairdin (10-12) at Leopardstown 2m hcp hdl 0-140 sft in Dec.
Gentleman Duke (IRE) 9-1 (10-0) Mid-division, ridden into 6th before last, 4th last, no extra run-in, kept on same pace, 5th of 17, 6l behind Cairdin (10-12) at Leopardstown 2m hcp hdl 0-140 sft in Dec.
Discoteca 8-1 (11-1) Chased leaders, 7th halfway, ridden into 5th entering straight, no impression in 3rd last, kept on same pace, 4th of 17, 5l behind Cairdin (10-12) at Leopardstown 2m hcp hdl 0-140 sft in Dec.
Edeymi (IRE) 10-1 (11-3) Waited with, beaten when unseated rider 3 out, in a race won by Prince De Beauchene (11-11) at Limerick 2m 3f hdl hvy in Dec, 6 ran.
