chased leader, 2nd halfway, ridden after 6 out, slow next and weakened, pulled up before 4 out
chased leaders, 3rd halfway, 2nd after 6 out, closed on leader before straight, narrow lead entering straight, ridden and headed before 2 out, under pressure in 2nd and bad mistake 2 out, no extra in 3rd before last, kept on one pace
led, ridden and headed briefly entering straight, regained lead before 2 out, asserted before last where slight mistake, kept on well
held up, slight mistake 6th, 5th halfway, moderate 4th 4 out, slight mistake and no impression next, weakened and tailed off
always towards rear, behind and no extra 5 out, tailed off
held up early, chased leaders in 4th from 4th, closed in 3rd before straight, ridden to dispute briefly before 2 out, under pressure in 3rd 2 out, 2nd and no impression on winner before last, kept on same pace
always towards rear, ridden after 6 out, behind and no extra 5 out, weakened and pulled up before next
Notice To Close, three-times a winner between the flags and of a maiden hurdle here last October, showed the benefit of his opening run over fences when battling to victory over 2m5f on heavy ground at Cork. He makes his handicap debut and must be on the shortlist. Dakota Moirette once again flattered to deceive at that same fixture but is now 0-21 over fences. Convara was elevated into Grade 3 company after landing a beginners' chase at Galway and had a run on the Flat for a new trainer at Dundalk a couple of weeks ago. It's two years since Golden Jewel ran over fences though he comes here on a 19lb lower mark than over timber after a cracking effort at Down Royal and has to be respected. CLUAN DARA gave notice of an imminent victory when a close second here then landed a Gowran handicap in heavy conditions. He's up 5lb and 2lb out of the handicap but looks one to follow while in such good form.
Convara (IRE) 25-1 (10-1) Disputed lead, ridden and headed 3f out, weakened quickly, last of 14, 25l behind Crescent Lake (9-8) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp pol in Nov.
Mister Fogpatches (IRE) 33-1 (12-0) Tracked leaders early, 7th from 3rd, slight mistake 3 out and one pace, 6th of 17, 21 1/4l behind Easywork (12-0) at Navan 2m 1f Soft - Heavy in Nov.
Notice To Close 11-2 (12-0) Prominent, led approaching 4th, soon joined, led again 3 out, headed 2 out, back on terms last, led and stayed on well run-in, all out, won at Cork 2m 5f hvy in Nov beating Enjoy D'allen (12-0) by nk, 14 ran.
Great Khan (IRE) 5-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, close 2nd halfway, disputed and slight mistake 8th, led before 5 out, joined and slight mistake 3 out, soon ridden, mistake and headed 2 out, no extra in 2nd before last, kept on one pace, 2nd of 7, 20l behind Prospectus (11-7) at Down Royal 2m 4f hvy in Mar.
Brex Drago (ITY) 50-1 (10-3) Waited with, soon towards rear, pushed along at stages, no impression before straight, last of 11, dist behind Chatham Street Lad (11-0) at Cork 2m 1f hcp hvy in Nov.
Golden Jewel (IRE) 20-1 (10-9) Soon mid-division, some headway towards outer from before 4 out, 8th approaching 3 out, soon closed and effort, challenged and kept on well without matching winner run-in, 2nd of 17, 1l behind Cayd Boy (11-2) at Down Royal 2m hcp sft in Oct.
Cluan Dara (IRE) 8-1 (9-12) Held up in rear, raced wide throughout, 9th 4 out, steady progress before next, went 3rd travelling well before 2 out, on terms 2 out, pushed along and led before last, kept on well, won at Gowran Park 2m hcp hvy in Nov beating Conright Boy (11-9) by 3l, 12 ran.
Got Trumped 80-1 (11-9) Waited with, slight mistake 1st, slight mistake 2nd and bandage soon loose on hind leg, 6th after 4th, a little slow 9th and pushed along briefly in last, no extra after 11th, weakened, 7th of 11, dist behind Colreevy (11-5) at Punchestown 2m 4f hvy in Nov.
Dakota Moirette (FR) 16-1 (10-7) Prominent, 2nd after 4th, slight mistakes 4 out and 3 out, effort and not fluent last, one pace run-in, 3rd of 11, 5 1/4l behind Chatham Street Lad (11-0) at Cork 2m 1f hcp hvy in Nov.
Pateen (IRE) 14-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear well off pace, no impression in moderate 5th before 2 out, kept on one pace, 5th of 9, dist behind Battleoverdoyen (11-12) at Galway 2m 7f sft in Oct.
