led, slight mistake and headed 4th, 3rd and reminders after 9th, ridden when left 2nd 4 out, 3rd 2 out and no extra under pressure before last, weakened run-in
tracked leader in 2nd, progress to lead 4th, fell 4 out
tracked leaders in 3rd, progress to go 2nd 8th, left in front 4 out, pushed along after 2 out, ridden and kept on well run-in
chased leaders in 4th, slight mistakes 5th and 9th, left 3rd 4 out and progress into 2nd 2 out, soon ridden and slight mistake last, under pressure and no impression on winner run-in
Only four runners in this but the outcome is far from cut and dried. Letter O Credit beat the odds-on Make A Track by half-a-length over 3m here at the end of November but the runner-up is 4lb better off now and has won a Limerick handicaps in good style since. RUPERT LAMB beat the consistent Toner D'Oudairies in a beginners' chase at Leopardstown a year ago. Willie Mullins' charge made a winning reappearance at Naas and, as he meets Gordon Elliott's seven-year-old on identical terms today, can come out on top again as he loves heavy ground.
Make A Track (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, 2nd halfway, close up 6 out, led next, challenged entering straight, ridden 2 out, asserted approaching last where slight mistake, left clear and kept on, won at Limerick 2m 3f hcp chs 0-145 hvy in Dec beating Castle Wings (10-2) by 15l, 16 ran.
Rupert Lamb 9-10fav (11-7) Made all, mistake 2nd, some slight mistakes, challenged entering straight, ridden and kept on well run-in, won at Naas 2m chs in Nov beating Dylan Ross (11-7) by 2 3/4l, 4 ran.
Toner D'Oudairies (FR) 13-2 (11-4) Waited with, struggling in 5th before 3 out, improved into close 4th before 2 out, in pursuit of winner and no impression last, kept on same pace run-in, 2nd of 6, 3 1/2l behind Arvika Ligeonniere (11-8) at Clonmel 2m 4f chs Grd 2 (1) in Nov.
Letter Of Credit (IRE) 13-2 (10-9) Raced in rear, not fluent 6th and next, left in moderate 2nd from 3 out, closed next, soon challenged and on terms last, soon gained narrow lead and driven out run-in,, won at Thurles 3m chs gd in Nov beating Make A Track (11-6) by 1/2l, 4 ran.
