chased leaders, closer in 3rd at 5th, on terms before 3 out, soon led, clear approaching 2 out, mistake last, headed run-in and kept on same pace
held up, not fluent 3rd, slight mistake 4th and impeded, moderate 6th at 5th, under pressure from 4 out, soon no extra and pulled up
chased leaders, went 2nd after 3 out, no impression approaching next, no extra from before last
chased leaders, mistake 4th and unseated rider
disputed lead early, soon headed and raced in 2nd, mistake 3 out, soon eased and pulled up
in rear, progress approaching 4th, moderate 5th next, distant 4th into straight, no extra
chased leaders, lost place when impeded 4th, poor 8th at next, soon no danger, completely tailed off
held up, slight mistake 1st, slightly slow 2nd, poor 9th at 5th, soon no danger, kept on without threatening straight
disputed lead early, soon led, joined before 3 out, soon headed, weakened and eased, completely tailed off
held up, moderate 7th at 5th, improved into 3rd approaching straight, chased leader from before last where left closer, led run-in, stayed on well
Kindly Vinnie was sent over fences after finishing runner-up on heavy going at Cork but didn't get far and may need more experience. After his victory at Clonmel in December, Stay With It has started favourite in both subsequent runs but has disappointed, especially at Tramore on New Year's Day where he was soon beaten. Black Ice scored on heavy going over a slightly longer trip here in December and is only 4lb higher so has to go on the shortlist while the veteran Luke's Benefit could still have one last hoorah in him after a good effort at Thurles last month. Winning bumper BOLD OPTIMIST hadn't shown much over hurdles before making all over 2m4f at Punchestown. He was in a clear lead at this trip so the drop down shouldn't be a problem and he can follow up.
Kindly Vinnie (IRE) 10-1 (11-2) Rear of mid-division, fell 6th, in a race won by Perfect Promise (11-7) at Thurles 2m 2f mrs beg chs in Feb, 13 ran.
Stay With It (IRE) 10-3fav (11-7) Towards rear, progress to 5th halfway, 4th after 3 out, ridden before 2 out, soon weakened and eased, 7th of 8, 44l behind Just Get Cracking (11-5) at Tramore 2m hcp hdl 80-109 sft in Jan.
Black Ice (IRE) 16-1 (10-3) Chased leaders, 5th early, moderate 3rd approaching last, kept on same pace, 4th of 10, 9l behind Shabra's Bertolini (10-5) at Down Royal 2m nov hcp hdl in Feb.
Luke's Benefit (IRE) 20-1 (11-7) Led early, headed after 1st, 2nd halfway, pushed along in 3rd entering straight and no impression last, no extra run-in, 6th of 14, 4 1/2l behind Rebel Cry (10-4) at Thurles 2m hcp hdl 80-102 hvy in Feb.
Bold Optimist (IRE) 10-1 (11-12) Led, slight mistake 4th, clear from 3 out, reduced lead and narrowly headed approaching last, soon back on terms, stayed on well run-in to lead near line,, won at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp hdl 80-95 in Feb beating Mr Eko (11-11) by hd, 22 ran.
Spare A Thought (IRE) 25-1 (10-4) Towards rear when fell 1st, in a race won by Diamondgeezer Luke (10-11) at Cork 2m 3f hcp hdl 80-109 gd in Aug, 19 ran.
Thefruitman (IRE) 50-1 (10-11) Rear of mid-division, no impression from 4 out, never a factor, 15th of 16, well behind Peoples Park (11-8) at Navan 2m cond hcp hdl (80-109) in Feb.
Shesonlyahorse (IRE) 33-1 (11-11) Tracked leaders, 6th at 3rd, under pressure from 7th, eased from before straight, tailed off, 12th of 16, well behind Lilshane (10-7) at Fairyhouse 2m hcp hdl 80-95 in Jan.
Tamam Namoose (IRE) 100-1 (11-4) Always towards rear, no impression before 3 out, 11th of 12, well behind Gusty Rocky (11-12) at Tramore 2m mdn hdl gd in Aug.
Occidental Lady (IRE) 100-1 (10-13) Held up, slight mistake 3rd, 11th at 5th, no extra from 3 out, tailed off, 13th of 16, well behind Aunt Nora (10-10) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f mares mdn hdl in Jan.
Cardhu (IRE) 66-1 (10-8) Led, headed approaching straight, soon no extra, weakened, 10th of 15, well behind Hostile Fire (10-8) at Fairyhouse 2m mdn hdl in Jan.
