raced in 3rd, hit 3rd, some headway and switched right approaching 2 out where mistake, soon no impression in last, no extra and eased run-in
tracked leader, on terms before straight, led before 2 out, soon ridden, wandered slightly and asserted before last, stayed on well run-in, comfortably
led, slight mistake 3 out, joined before straight, headed before 2 out, no impression in 3rd before last where slight mistake, kept on into 2nd close home
in rear, slightly impeded 3rd, closed straight, 2nd and no impression from before last, dropped to 3rd close home
Eiri Na Casca created a surprise when scoring over fences at Tramore in October but has been well beaten subsequently over hurdles, though in much stronger company. O'donoghue's Opera reverts to hurdling after a couple of moderate runs over fences but hasn't shown enough to warrant the vote over a couple of in-form rivals. SHOW COURT came here for just his second run over timber last month and could hardly have been more impressive, coming home a long way clear. He has 3lb to concede to Rose Alice, who was part of a Charles Byrne double-header at Tramore a couple of weeks ago where she ploughed through the mud for a very easy victory, and there should be little in it this time but it's Dermot Weld's charge who just gets the verdict.
Show Court (IRE) 2-1 (11-12) Soon chased leader, 2nd halfway, improved to lead 2 out, clear before last, easily, won at Limerick 2m mdn sft in Nov beating Fairymount Boy (11-4) by 13l, 9 ran.
Rosie Alice (IRE) 10-3 (11-4) Tracked leaders, 5th halfway, progress 2 out and soon led, drew clear before last, stayed on well run-in, easily, won at Tramore 2m mdn hvy in Dec beating Let Her Cry (11-4) by 18l, 15 ran.
Eiri Na Casca (IRE) 100-1 (11-3) Always rear, behind from 3rd, no impression before 3 out, weakened and tailed off, last of 5, dist behind A Great View (11-0) at Punchestown 2m hvy in Dec.
O'donoghue's Opera (IRE) 14-1 (11-12) Held up in rear, some progress 3 out, went moderate 4th and pushed along 2 out, kept on same pace on outer after last, 4th of 8, 14 1/2l behind Battling Boru (11-12) at Downpatrick 2m 2f gd in Oct.
