soon tracked leaders, 5th before straight, soon no extra
led early, prominent, lost place from 3 out, soon no impression, kept on same pace
prominent, ridden from 3 out, soon no extra
close up, in front 3rd, headed 2 out, soon no extra, kept on same pace
soon mid-division, moderate 6th before straight, soon no impression, kept on same pace
waited with in rear, no danger and kept on from after 3 out
waited with, bad mistake 6th, no impression and kept on same pace from 3 out
chased leaders, 8th after 3 out, no extra from before straight, pulled up before 2 out
soon towards rear, no danger and kept on from after 3 out
soon tracked leaders, not fluent 6 out, weakened 3 out
soon mid-division, slight mistake 6th, closed up after 3 out, 3rd before straight, 2nd 2 out, no impression last, kept on run-in
prominent, no extra approaching straight, pulled up before 2 out, lame
led early, soon tracked leaders, 2nd before straight, 4th 2 out, soon no impression under pressure, kept on
waited with towards rear, closed up from 3 out, 4th before straight, led 2 out, clear last, stayed on well
Many of these enter the fray in good heart though only Goodtime Boy scored last time out when successful over the minimum trip here at Christmas. He'll find this a much sterner test and CABALLO DE MARCUS looks the one to be on. He was just foiled by Living Next Door, who scored under an inspired Ruby Walsh ride here in November, and now has the top jockey's assistance. Willie Mullins' Celtic Wish is still a maiden after 24 starts so it's not surprising that Walsh has deserted him but Fair Dilemma has been alternating between hurdles and fences and is much better handicapped over the smaller obstacles so has to be respected with his rider's claim a major bonus. Supreme Bob is gradually dropping to a winnable mark while Special Token and Noble Pageant are others to consider in a wide-open handicap.
Fair Dilemma (IRE) 4-1fav (11-8) Tracked leaders, 4th 2 out, ridden to lead before last, strongly pressed run-in, headed and no extra close home, 2nd of 15, 1/2l behind Thepartysover (10-11) at Naas 2m cond hcp hdl (80-109).
Hidden Crack 9-1 (11-6) Mid-division, no impression and kept on same pace from 3 out, 7th of 14, 18l behind Caduceus (10-2) at Clonmel 2m 4f Conditional Handicap Chase (0-123) (5yo+) sft in Mar.
Troubled (IRE) 8-1 (10-13) Rear of mid-division when mistake and unseated rider 7th, in a race won by Captain Canada (11-4) at Thurles 2m 6f mdn hdl hvy in Dec, 14 ran.
Goodtime Boy (IRE) 7-1 (11-0) Soon tracked leader, 3rd after 3 out, stayed on best under pressure run-in to lead closing stages, won at Limerick 2m 4yo mdn hdl hvy in Dec beating Time Please (11-7) by 2 1/2l, 10 ran.
King Of Ardcarne (IRE) 12-1 (11-10) Prominent, led from 3 out, ridden and headed after 2 out, soon no extra, 5th of 15, 7l behind Thepartysover (10-11) at Naas 2m cond hcp hdl (80-109).
Celtic Wish (IRE) 5-2fav (11-10) Prominent, 3rd after 3 out, no extra from next, 7th of 9, well behind Shesonlyahorse (11-3) at Tramore 2m nov hcp hdl 80-109 hvy.
Passing Through 11-1 (11-7) Always towards rear, 10th of 16, 45l behind Dont Tell Pa (10-4) at Limerick 2m 2f hcp hdl 80-109 sft in Oct.
Sea Stallion (IRE) 7-1 (11-10) Soon chased leaders, 7th before straight, soon no impression, kept on same pace, 9th of 15, 46l behind Masked Phantom (11-10) at Cork 2m 4f hcp hdl 80-109 in Nov.
Luck Pennie (IRE) 33-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden after 3 out and no extra in 5th entering straight, weakened, 7th of 17, 32l behind Make Your Mark (11-7) at Leopardstown 2m 4f 4yo mdn hdl gd in Dec '11.
Noble Pageant (IRE) 9-1 (11-4) Rear of mid-division, 11th halfway, 6th 3 out and headway to briefly go 2nd entering straight, no impression in 3rd 2 out, kept on one pace under pressure to regain 2nd closing stages, 2nd of 15, 7l behind Ballycasey (11-12) at Clonmel 2m 4f Amateur Maiden Hurdle (4yo+) in Dec.
Supreme Bob (IRE) 12-1 (11-3) Tracked leaders on outer, ridden in 5th 2 out, soon no extra, 6th of 15, 11l behind Thepartysover (10-11) at Naas 2m cond hcp hdl (80-109).
Caballo De Marcus (USA) 9-1 (10-13) Tracked leader in 2nd, took keen hold, led 4 out, ridden and strongly pressed early straight, kept on well under pressure from before last, no extra and headed final strides, 2nd of 9, hd behind Living Next Door (11-4) at Limerick 2m 3f mdn hdl hvy in Nov.
Special Token (IRE) 10-1 (11-3) Prominent, on terms 6 out, in front after 4 out, joined 3 out, soon headed, no impression and kept on same pace from before last, 2nd of 15, 4 1/2l behind Backinthere (11-7) at Cork 2m 4f mares hcp hdl 9-109.
All The Way Home (IRE) 11-2 (11-9) Tracked leaders, 4th for much, closed up from after 3 out, challenged and on terms from before next, soon led, awkward last, headed and kept on without quite matching winner closing stages, 2nd of 10, 3/4l behind Ballyquin Queen (11-7) at Tramore 2m 5f hcp hdl 80-95 hvy in Dec.
Whiskey And Rye (IRE) 10-3 (11-5) Chased leaders, slipped up after 3rd, in a race won by Henrietta's Way (10-11) at Limerick 2m 2f hcp hdl 80-103 hvy in Dec, 12 ran.
I'lltelimar King (IRE) 11-1 (11-1) Chased leaders, lost place a bit from 6 out, ridden and progress to chase leaders straight, in pursuit of winner but no impression from before last, kept on, 2nd of 11, 3 1/2l behind Forjoethepainter (10-10) at Limerick 2m 4f hcp hdl 80-102 hvy in Dec.
