tracked leaders, unseated rider 6th
rear of mid-division, weakened 5 out, behind when pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, closer in 3rd 3 out, soon ridden, 3rd 2 out, went 2nd at last, kept on without threatening winner run-in
tracked leaders, mistake 4 out, soon ridden, no impression before 2 out
held up in rear, headway from halfway, went 5th 3 out, improved to lead travelling well 2 out, ridden and stayed on well from last
tracked leaders, ridden from 3 out, moderate 7th 2 out, no extra
prominent, 2nd 3 out, soon ridden and weakened
in rear, ridden from 3 out, no impression
mid-division, ridden and some progress 3 out, went moderate 4th 2 out, no extra in 4th when mistake at last
in rear, mistakes 3rd and 7th, weakened from 4 out
towards rear, no impression from 4 out, never a factor
led, slight mistake 8th, ridden after 3 out, headed 2 out, soon no extra, dropped to 3rd at last
mid-division, ridden 3 out, no impression
prominent, ridden 4 out, soon weakened
The going on the chase course is slightly easier and should suit Agus A Vic, who won this last year from a 6lb higher mark. He enters the fray in poor shape, however, as does Sicilian Secret, who pulled up on fast going at Tipperary. COUNT SALAZAR acts on any ground, scoring in testing conditions here in December and fast going at Wexford last month where he had tonight's rival Jakros 7l behind. The latter should get closer on these terms but doesn't look capable of reversing the form with the winner, who can complete a double. Our Girl Lucy very nearly created a surprise when just touched off by Another Palm at Limerick and these conditions will be very similar.
Barel Of Laughs (IRE) 7-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, ridden in 5th entering straight, no impression, 6th of 18, 8l behind Bundle Of Fun (10-6) at Gowran Park 3m hcp chs 0-130 gd in Oct.
Sicilian Secret (IRE) 4-1fav (10-9) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, ridden into 3rd 2 out, soon eased and pulled up quickly before last, in a race won by Slieveardagh (11-4) at Tipperary 2m 4f hcp chs gf in Jul, 12 ran.
Count Salazar (IRE) 9-2fav (11-1) Prominent in chasing group, a bit awkward 7 out, closed 3 out, led last, stayed on well to assert run-in, won at Wexford 3m 1f hcp chs 0-116 gf in Jul beating Jakros (11-7) by 7l, 15 ran.
Our Girl Lucy (IRE) 6-1 (10-9) Settled towards rear, headway after halfway and 5th 4 out, no extra early run-in and kept on one pace, 5th of 17, 23l behind Bruff (10-1) at Galway 2m 6f hcp chs hvy.
Queiros Bleu (FR) 11-1 (11-5) Held up towards rear, ridden in 8th 2 out, no extra, 6th of 10, 12l behind Mallowney (11-1) at Naas 2m hcp hdl in Feb.
Jakros (IRE) 10-1 (11-7) Attempted to make all, clear for much, reduced lead 3 out, headed last where not fluent, no extra and kept on same pace run-in, 2nd of 15, 7l behind Count Salazar (11-1) at Wexford 3m 1f hcp chs 0-116 gf in Jul.
Coolharbour Breeze (IRE) 8-1 (10-13) Chased leaders, 2nd halfway, ridden in 3rd entering straight, soon no extra and weakened, 10th of 11, 36l behind Code Of The West (10-13) at Clonmel 2m 3f hcp chs sft in Nov.
Coldstonesober (IRE) 12-1 (10-11) Raced in moderate 4th, niggled along 6th, kept on same pace from after 7 out, 4th of 5, 40l behind The Real Article (11-2) at Limerick 2m 3f nov chs gd in Jul.
Fairwood Bob (IRE) 18-1 (11-7) Always towards rear, tailed off, 9th of 13, well behind Coolnagorna Giggs (11-9) at Kilbeggan 3m 1f hcp chs 0-116 gf in Jun.
Onzo Mor (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Led, headed before 6 out, lost place 4 out, 6th approaching straight, soon no extra, 15th of 16, well behind Another Ambition (11-3) at Cork 2m 3f hcp hdl 80-109 gf.
Agus A Vic (IRE) 20-1 (10-1) Tracked leaders and 4th halfway, close up when badly hampered and brought to a standstill 5 out, pulled up before next, in a race won by Bruff (10-1) at Galway 2m 6f hcp chs hvy, 17 ran.
Moncherie (IRE) 28-1 (11-2) Led, headed after 3 out and soon dropped to rear, pulled up before next, in a race won by Reafadda (11-11) at Galway 2m 2f am hcp hdl 88-109 hvy, 18 ran.
Lets Go Sunshine (IRE) 14-1 (10-0) Mid-division and 10th halfway, dropped to rear 4 out and ridden along, behind when pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Victrix Gale (10-10) at Galway 3m hcp hdl 88-130 sft in Jul, 17 ran.
Island Peak (IRE) 14-1 (10-12) Soon close up, 3rd after 4 out, 4th next, no impression and kept on same pace from 2 out, 9th of 15, 19l behind Mount Sion (11-1) at Roscommon 2m 5f hcp chs 0-109 gd.
St Devote (FR) 6-1 (11-3) Waited with early, close to track leaders before 4 out, 6th 3 out, kept on same pace from after next, 7th of 17, 17l behind House Rules (11-4) at Down Royal 2m 4f hcp chs gd in May.
