towards rear when mistake and unseated rider 1st
mid-division, 5th halfway, no extra entering straight, behind when pulled up before 2 out
always prominent, led early, 3rd halfway, briefly led again before 3 out, 2nd and driven along from 2 out, no impression run-in and dropped to 3rd
settled in rear of mid-division, 5th 4 out, mistake next, went 3rd 2 out, kept on one pace under pressure, no impression on winner run-in
tracked leaders, 4th halfway, headway on outer to lead 6 out, bumped and lost place next, ridden and no extra early straight, weakened
always prominent, tended to jump slightly right throughout, narrowly led after 4th, headed briefly before 3 out, kept on under pressure from 2 out, steadied at last, kept on well to draw clear run-in
in touch towards rear, went 4th 5 out, no extra from 3 out, weakened
tracked leaders, led 3rd until headed after next, remained prominent, no impression in 4th after 2 out, no extra before last, weakened run-in
in touch towards rear, 6th approaching 3 out, under pressure in 5th next, no extra and kept on one pace
Wicklow Lad is certain to attract support after another good run behind Gentleman Jim at Thurles but he's now 21lb higher than his only success over fences and keeps rising without winning. Diophas may find this on the short side having gained his only success over fences over 2m5f, the same distance as Kimberlite King gained his one and only chasing victory at Fairyhouse a year ago. Most of the remainder are out of form so this can go to ASKMEROE. Tony Martin's charge landed a beginners' event over today's trip at Fairyhouse last April in impressive fashion before running poorly in a novices' event at Aintree the following month. He will be better for a run over a trip too far at Leopardstown last month and should be good enough for this.
Mighty Massini (IRE) 20-1 (10-13) Tracked leaders, weakened from 5 out, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Curragh Grey (10-10) at Thurles 2m 6f chs in Jan, 12 ran.
Diophas (GER) 11-1 (10-8) Mid-division, headway in 6th 2 out, left 4th, ridden and no extra entering straight, kept on one pace, 5th of 16, 12l behind By The Hour (10-1) at Leopardstown 2m 3f hcp chs 0-140 sft in Jan.
Kimberlite King (IRE) 12-1 (10-0) Always towards rear, not fluent 7 out, behind 5 out, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Questions Answered (9-11) at Limerick 2m 3f hcp chs sft in Dec, 11 ran.
Askmeroe (IRE) 10-1 (9-5) Rear of mid-division, 9th halfway, 8th when mistake 2 out, no extra in straight, 10th of 12, 37l behind Rare Bob (11-10) at Leopardstown 2m 5f hcp chs sft in Jan.
Battlefront (IRE) 25-1 (9-11) Mid-division, 8th halfway, 6th 2 out, kept on one pace under pressure without threatening leaders, 5th of 12, 11l behind Peak Raider (9-10) at Fairyhouse 2m 1f hcp chs sft in Dec.
Wicklow Lad 8-1 (11-1) Tracked leaders, 4th 4 out, ridden entering straight, 4th after 2 out, left 3rd at last, kept on same pace run-in, went 2nd close home, 2nd of 13, 3l behind Gentleman Jim (11-4) at Thurles 2m 2f hcp chs 0-109 hvy.
Wright Flyer (IRE) 14-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, 7th halfway, headway into 4th before straight, ridden in 3rd 3 out, weakened before next, 11th of 18, 21l behind Tawaagg (11-12) at Gowran Park 2m 2f beg chase hvy.
Nans Best (IRE) 10-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, 4th 3 out, driven along and no extra approaching next, 9th of 14, 21l behind Lake Return (11-5) at Downpatrick 2m 2f beg chs gf in Sep.
Ard Agus Fada (IRE) 16-1 (11-3) Always towards rear, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Arctic Mick (10-13) at Navan 2m 4f Conditional Handicap Chase (0-102) (5yo+) hvy in Jan, 20 ran.
