tracked leaders when fell 5th
always behind, tailed off
towards rear, some headway approaching straight, kept on without threatening
chased leaders, 7th halfway, went 5th 2 out, 4th approaching last, kept on under pressure in 3rd on run-in but no impression on principals
mid-division on outer, still in touch when pulled up after 4 out
tracked leaders, 4th halfway, closer approaching straight, challenged to lead before last, kept on under pressure run-in
chased leaders, 6th halfway, no extra approaching straight
mid-division, 9th halfway, some headway to go 6th 2 out, no impression under pressure before last, kept on one pace
tracked leaders, 5th halfway, 3rd approaching straight, no extra under pressure from 2 out and dropped to 6th before last
mid-division, 10th halfway, soon weakened, pulled up before 4 out
rear of mid-division, pushed along from 4 out, good headway on outer approaching straight, led 2 out where not fluent, headed under pressure before last, kept on well run-in but not match winner
mid-division, ridden approaching straight, no extra in moderate 7th after 2 out
prominent and disputed lead, ridden and weakened approaching straight
led or disputed lead, strongly pressed approaching straight, headed 2 out, 3rd and kept on under pressure before last, no extra run-in
tracked leaders in 7th when brought down at 5th
tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, blundered 4 out, no impression under pressure in 8th after 2 out, kept on one pace
Better Times is getting closer to a maiden success over timber with every run and looks certain to give a good account. Willie Mullins' Glenlo Abbey disappointed over timber after an impressive debut in a Gowran bumper but has the potential to do much better while the champion trainer also saddles SKORCHER. The latter was a couple of lengths behind Henro Boy when they weren't beaten far behind Medical Card at Naas in November but was having his first start since January and can land this.
Better Times (IRE) 3-1fav (11-12) Prominent, keen hold, led approaching 6th, headed 4 out, remained close up, led again from 2 out where slight mistake, headed and kept on same pace close home, 2nd of 18, 1/2l behind Fists Of Fury (11-4) at Thurles 2m 2f mdn hdl sft in Nov.
Castle Vic (IRE) 4-1fav (11-6) Held up towards rear, headway 4f out, 3rd into straight, 2nd over 1f out, challenged inside final furlong, stayed on well to lead close home, won at Fairyhouse 2m NH flat hvy in Dec '06 beating Baltiman (11-2) by hd, 15 ran.
De Dodger (IRE) 14-1 (11-7) Held up, progress into 5th from 3f out, no impression under pressure and kept on same pace from over 2f out, 5th of 11, 22l behind Acey (12-0) at Limerick 2m 3f N H flat in Mar.
Glenlo Abbey (IRE) 11-4 (11-12) Chased leaders, 6th halfway, ridden and no extra before 2 out, 8th of 20, 13l behind Saville Row (11-4) at Down Royal 2m 6f mdn hdl in Nov.
Henro Boy (IRE) 9-1 (11-12) Held up in touch, progress 4 out, 8th next, 4th after 2 out, kept on same pace from last, 3rd of 25, 3 1/2l behind Medical Card (11-12) at Naas 2m 3f mdn hdl sft in Nov.
Skorcher (IRE) 4-1fav (11-12) Disputed lead, not fluent when headed 5th, 4th under pressure 3 out, 6th after 2 out, kept on same pace, 5th of 25, 6l behind Medical Card (11-12) at Naas 2m 3f mdn hdl sft in Nov.
Up Ou That (IRE) 3-1fav (11-12) Tracked leaders, 7th halfway, ridden entering straight, no extra from 2 out, 9th of 18, 11l behind Gran Torino (11-4) at Thurles 2m 2f 5yo mdn hdl sft in Nov.
Grancore Girl (IRE) 10-1 (10-12) Towards rear, closed from 6 out, 4th before straight, soon disputing 3rd, no impression under pressure and kept on same pace from before last, 3rd of 8, 6l behind Sizing Mexico (11-3) at Thurles 2m 6f nov hdl in Nov.
Another Flutter (IRE) 25-1 (11-9) Led and disputed, headed 2 out, soon no extra and weakened, 5th of 14, 26l behind Oscars Well (11-12) at Punchestown 2m 4f mdn hdl sft in Nov.
Doonaghroe (IRE) 12-1 (11-7) Rear of mid-division, some headway on inner after halfway, no extra from 3 out, tailed off, 12th of 18, well behind Ballinahow Lady (11-7) at Naas 3m mdn hdl in Nov.
Raz De Maree (FR) 5-2fav (12-0) Tracked leaders on inner, 5th halfway, went 4th over 2f out and soon ridden, kept on well under pressure closing stages, 3rd of 12, 1l behind Vics Canvas (11-9) at Naas 2m 3f N H flat in Nov.
Saved By John (IRE) 6-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, went 3rd travelling well into straight, no impression under pressure and kept on same pace from before 2 out, 3rd of 22, 15l behind Shop Dj (11-7) at Cork 2m 3f mdn hdl sft in Dec.
Souvenir Royal (FR) 25-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, went 2nd before 4 out, ridden approaching 2 out, soon no extra and dropped to 5th at last, 5th of 18, 9l behind Ballinahow Lady (11-7) at Naas 3m mdn hdl in Nov.
The Big Boyo (IRE) 16-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, moderate 5th after 4 out, lost place before straight, kept on without threatening from 2 out, 5th of 18, 6l behind Fists Of Fury (11-4) at Thurles 2m 2f mdn hdl sft in Nov.
Unquestionable (IRE) 50-1 (11-12) Always behind, 22nd of 25, well behind Medical Card (11-12) at Naas 2m 3f mdn hdl sft in Nov.
Winner Takes Itall 25-1 (11-2) Off pace in last early, in touch with field halfway, no impression from 3 out, last of 8, 41l behind Far Away So Close (11-6) at Punchestown 2m nh nov hdl gd in Oct.
Four Commanders (IRE) 7-2 (11-9) Close up in 3rd, led 4 out, ridden and headed 3 out, 3rd and no extra after 2 out, 3rd of 14, 8l behind Bishopsfurze (11-12) at Cork 2m mdn hdl sft in Dec.
Rheinland (IRE) 6-1 (11-1) Tracked leaders, 4th entering straight, soon ridden and no impression, 9th of 16, 27l behind Valleymount (10-13) at Cork 2m mares n h flat 4yo hvy in Oct.
Lingual Cusp (IRE) 33-1 (9-13) Always in rear, lost touch from 10th, pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Elysian Rock (11-1) at Thurles 3m chs sft in Nov, 7 ran.
Barrackhillboy (IRE) 20-1 (11-12) Mid-division, 10th halfway, ridden and no impression 3 out, 14th of 19, 28l behind White Star Line (11-7) at Naas 2m 3f mdn hdl sft.
Bargyman (IRE) 25-1 (10-13) Tracked leader in 2nd, ridden and lost place 3 out, moderate 6th before 2 out, soon no extra, 5th of 12, 41l behind Goban Saor (10-11) at Tramore 2m 4f mdn hdl hvy in Dec.
