settled behind leaders, moderate 6th halfway, ridden in 8th and no impression 3 out, moderate 6th 2 out, stayed on run-in to 3rd closing stages
chased leaders, moderate 3rd halfway, ridden and closer 3 out, no extra in 5th 2 out, weakened before last
held up towards rear, mid-division in moderate 8th after 4 out, ridden and no extra before 3 out, weakened
mid-division, progress into moderate 4th before straight, ridden and closer 3 out, no impression in 3rd 2 out, kept on one pace, lost 3rd run-in
settled behind leaders, moderate 5th halfway, ridden and no impression before straight, soon weakened, pulled up before 3 out
mid-division best, ridden and no extra after 4 out, weakened 3 out
always towards rear, ridden and no impression after 4 out
held up towards rear, progress into 8th before straight, 6th 3 out, ridden into 2nd 2 out, stayed on to lead before last, kept on well run-in
chased leader in moderate 2nd and clear of field, closed entering straight, led 3 out, soon clear, ridden after 2 out, headed before last, no extra and kept on same pace
mid-division, ridden in rear after 4 out, kept on one pace straight and some late progress
mid-division, ridden into moderate 5th before straight, closer 3 out, no impression in 4th and slight mistake 2 out, no extra before last where mistake
chased leaders, moderate 4th halfway, ridden in 7th and no impression 3 out, no extra before next
led and clear, reduced advantage entering straight, headed and mistake 3 out, soon ridden and no extra, weakened 2 out
It's two years since ISLEOFHOPENDREAMS won a Thurles handicap by 10 lengths and he was raised an incredible 23lb. He wouldn't be coming here unless thought ready and could well be capable of ranking much higher. He's given the nod in a race where not many arrive in form. Lake Field won a Tramore handicap in December and would have followed up at Limerick but for a last-flight fall leaving Black Ice to take advantage. He didn't run quite so well at Naas last month but may have been feeling the effects of his tumble. The five-year-old On The Dry ran his best race to date in a Thurles maiden and should make further progress but Admiral Brian has been looking one-paced and may need further.
Isleofhopendreams 4-5fav (11-4) Held up towards rear, headway from 7th, 2nd approaching straight, challenged travelling smoothly from 2 out, led approaching last, soon clear, stayed on well, easily, won at Thurles 2m 6f hcp hvy in Feb beating West Of The Edge (11-8) by 10l, 18 ran.
Lake Field (IRE) 10-3fav (10-7) Tracked leaders, under pressure 2 out, disputed 2nd at last, one pace run-in, 5th of 15, 6 3/4l behind Go Paddy Go (10-10) at Naas 2m hcp Soft - Heavy in Jan.
Way Wild West (IRE) 14-1 (11-12) Mid-division, progress into 7th 4 out, ridden and no impression before next, 9th of 15, dist behind Dragon Khan (11-2) at Thurles 2m hcp hvy in Jan.
On The Dry (IRE) 20-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, not fluent 3rd, 6th halfway, slight mistake 4 out, 3rd entering straight, ridden and no impression after 2 out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 16, 9 3/4l behind Rooster Byron (11-4) at Thurles 2m mdn sft in Jan.
Aonvarr (IRE) 33-1 (10-3) Towards rear, no impression 2 out, not fluent last, no extra, 12th of 15, 21 1/2l behind Go Paddy Go (10-10) at Naas 2m hcp Soft - Heavy in Jan.
Black Ice (IRE) 16-1 (11-4) Took keen hold, soon led and disputed, slight mistake 3 out, headed approaching next, soon no extra, weakened and eased run-in, last of 13, dist behind Mr Cosmopolitan (11-12) at Naas 2m hcp sft in Feb.
Jo Go (IRE) 3-1 (10-8) Towards rear, mistake 1st, not fluent 2nd and 3rd, soon reminders, in rear with a circuit to race, detached from 3 out, tailed off, 6th of 7, dist behind Rosie Revenue (10-0) at Downpatrick 2m 7f hcp gd in Aug.
Admiral Brian (IRE) 10-1 (10-7) Mid-division, 6th halfway, progress 4 out and 2nd next, ridden approaching straight and 3rd 2 out, no impression in 4th before last, kept on one pace, 5th of 16, 3 1/2l behind Steel King (10-10) at Tipperary 2m 4f hcp Yielding in Jun.
Dr Waluigi (IRE) 9-1 (11-4) Prominent, on terms before 2nd, soon led, slight mistake 5th, soon headed, on terms again before straight, soon led, wandered slightly before 2 out and slight mistake, soon headed and no impression in 4th approaching last where slight mistake, one pace, 4th of 16, 10 1/4l behind Coolaghknock Glebe (11-12) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f hcp hvy in Jan.
Shabra's Bertolini (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, took keen hold, closer in 2nd from 4th, slight mistake 7th, slight mistake 4 out, lost place and pushed along approaching straight, no extra from before 3 out, 9th of 13, dist behind Edvardo (9-12) at Navan 2m 4f hcp Soft - Heavy in Jan.
Maighnealta (IRE) 9-1 (11-3) Prominent, soon 2nd, slight mistake 2nd, pushed along after 3 out, lost place and no extra approaching 2 out, soon eased, 7th of 9, dist behind Ballyfinboy (10-10) at Downpatrick 2m 2f hcp gd in Jun.
Fainne An Lae (IRE) 6-1 (11-1) Chased leaders early, mid-division in 8th halfway, ridden and no impression before 3 out, weakened and pulled up before 2 out, at Fairyhouse 2m hcp Soft - Heavy in Jan.
Rich Prince (GER) 33-1 (11-2) Mid-division, 11th halfway, pushed along and no extra in 9th after 2 out, weakened, 13th of 16, dist behind Mossy Island (11-0) at Ballinrobe 2m 1f hcp sft in Aug.
Court Jester (IRE) 7-1 (11-6) Mid-division, progress 3 out, ridden in 5th entering straight, no impression 2 out, no extra before last, 6th of 16, 29 1/2l behind Cerca Trova (11-1) at Fairyhouse 2m hcp Soft - Heavy in Jan.
