prominent and led from 5th, slight mistake 4 out, pushed along approaching last where slight mistake, ridden and headed early run-in, no extra
prominent, 3rd halfway, 2nd 5 out, pushed along in 3rd early straight, ridden and no impression approaching last, kept on one pace run-in
rear of mid-division, pecked 3rd, slight mistakes 4th 6th and 7th, pushed along and towards rear 5 out, some headway next, 5th 2 out and no extra approaching last, weakened
mid-division, slow 1st, 6th halfway, headway 3 out and pushed along in 2nd before next, ridden to lead early run-in and stayed on well
in rear, jumped right 5th and soon pushed along, jumped right 7th and soon detached, weakened, behind and pulled up before 2 out
towards rear, some headway 4 out, pushed along in 4th 2 out, ridden and no impression approaching last, no extra
mid-division, 5th halfway, pushed along and towards rear 4 out, no extra, behind and pulled up before 2 out
soon led, headed 5th and mistake next, 4th halfway, pushed along in 7th after 4 out and no impression in 6th early straight, no extra, kept on one pace run-in
tracked leaders, 2nd halfway, mistake 8th, lost place after 4 out and weakened early straight, tailed off
Ask Nile has been hurdling but hasn't really progressed over fences from his opening victory. Roaring Bull looked progressive when landing a Fairyhouse beginners' chase but potential backers would need to forgive a very disappointing run at Thurles three weeks ago. NELLIE PLEDGE easily landed a Navan handicap last month and was engaged in a Grade 2 novices' chase at Thurles a day later but she was done with when falling two out. This is her grade and, providing she's no worse for her exertions, she can go in again. Bilbo Bagins bounced back to form with a very good run over a trip too short at Galway in October and, if ready after a break ,should go well but Peculiar Genius failed to take advantage of a much lower hurdles rating at Tramore. Velocity Boy has been running in better company but needs further.
Velocity Boy (IRE) 6-1 (11-0) In rear, slight mistake 1st and slightly hampered at 9th, bad mistake 15th, closer in 6th and slight mistake 3 out, soon ridden and no impression, 6th of 10, dist behind Dinnie's Vinnie (10-1) at Fairyhouse 3m 5f hcp gd in Dec.
Ask Nile (IRE) 7-2fav (11-3) Settled behind leaders, 5th halfway, closer in 3rd 3 out, challenged entering straight, disputed 2 out, soon ridden into narrow lead, headed before last, kept on same pace run-in, 2nd of 10, 6 1/2l behind The King Of Brega (11-10) at Thurles 2m hcp gd in Jan.
Scoir Mear (IRE) 20-1 (10-4) Waited with, not fluent 2nd, 14th after 7th, soon progress, one pace straight, 10th of 27, 18 3/4l behind Auvergnat (10-5) at Leopardstown 3m gd in Dec.
Roaring Bull (IRE) 3-1fav (11-9) Soon chased leaders, 3rd halfway, close up 5 out, disputed next, slight mistake 3 out, ridden in 3rd before 2 out, no extra before last and weakened, 4th of 7, 32 1/2l behind Double Portrait (9-12) at Thurles 2m 6f hcp gd in Jan.
Close Shave 33-1 (9-13) Tracked leaders early, rear of mid-division when not fluent 4th, ridden after 4 out and no extra in rear next, 16th of 18, dist behind Midnight Stroll (10-12) at Cork 2m 4f hcp sft in Jan.
Bilbo Bagins (IRE) 10-1 (11-10) Held up, 10th after 5th, slight mistake 8th, progress and not fluent 2 out, soon chased leaders, kept on well closing stages, not reach winner, 2nd of 12, 1 1/4l behind Leap Dearg (11-9) at Galway 2m 2f hcp sft in Oct.
Peculiar Genius (IRE) 11-4fav (11-8) Prominent, on terms from before 4 out, led after 3 out, joined from before last, soon headed and one pace, 3rd of 11, 4 1/2l behind Secret Cargo (11-7) at Tramore 2m hcp sft in Jan.
Nellie Pledge (IRE) 14-1 (11-0) Chased leader, 2nd halfway, slight mistake 5 out and soon 3rd, ridden and no extra 3 out, weakened, fell 2 out, at Thurles 2m 5f (1) gd in Jan.
Runyon Rattler (IRE) 25-1 (11-3) Chased leaders, a little slow at 2nd, pushed along from 3 out, no impression approaching 2 out where badly hampered and unseated rider, at Limerick 2m 2f Yielding - Soft in Dec.
Spancil Hill (IRE) 20-1 (11-2) Mid-division, 8th on outer 3 out, soon ridden and weakened, pulled up before 2 out, at Limerick 3m hcp sft in Dec.
Marakoush (IRE) 40-1 (11-9) Towards rear, not fluent 5 out, pushed along from 3 out and soon no extra in 8th, tailed off, 7th of 10, dist behind Seskin Flyer (11-4) at Limerick 2m 4f hcp sft in Dec.
