tracked leader, 2nd halfway, pushed along in 4th after 3 out, ridden to go 3rd at last, kept on one pace run-in
led, 4 lengths clear halfway, reduced advantage after 4 out, slight mistake 2 out, edged left and strongly pressed approaching last, ridden and kept on run-in, headed closing stages
chased leaders, 3rd halfway, dropped to 5th 3 out, soon no extra and in rear next, weakened and eased
held up towards rear, ran freely, 5th halfway, headway into 2nd after 3 out, not fluent next, pushed along to challenge and slight mistake last, ridden and kept on well run-in to lead close home
chased leaders, 6th halfway, pushed along early straight and no impression in 5th before 2 out, no extra, never a factor
in rear, slight mistake 1st, never a factor, pushed along and detached after 4 out, no threat in straight, kept on one pace from 2 out
chased leaders, 4th halfway, closer after 4 out, 3rd and pushed along 2 out, 4th and no impression last, no extra run-in
John Ryan's pair The Little Yank and Ferdia are separated by 3lb in the ratings and in the weights though the former has Liam Quinlan's 5lb claim to aid his cause. The latter was in the lead at the last in a huge field at Leopardstown on St Stephen's Day and only weakened on the run-in. Leading amateur Barry O'Neill was on board when De Lady In Red won a Galway bumper and a Roscommon mares' maiden hurdle but not when she finished fourth in a Thurles handicap. Winning bumper ALL THOSE YEARS hasn't run since November 2020 but that's never a problem for one from his yard and Ilmig hasn't made the expected progress since winning a maiden hurdle here in July. Young Fitzy completed a double in the autumn and landed a novices' chase at Tramore on New Year's Day.
The Little Yank (IRE) 250-1 (11-12) Tracked leader, 3rd after 3rd, slight mistake at 4th, closed 4 out, lost place after 3 out, weakened and detached before 2 out, tailed off, last of 7, dist behind Ginto (11-12) at Naas 2m 4f (1) sft in Jan.
De Lady In Red (IRE) 4-1 (11-10) Tracked leader in 2nd, ridden 3 out, dropped to 4th before last, no extra, 5th of 14, 9 3/4l behind Gold Creek (9-12) at Thurles 2m 4f hcp Good - Yielding in Nov.
Ferdia (IRE) 40-1 (11-5) Mid-division, took closer order 2 out, ridden and challenged before last, soon led briefly, headed at last and soon no impression in 3rd, kept on one pace, 3rd of 26, 6 1/2l behind The Greek (10-13) at Leopardstown 2m hcp sft in Dec.
All Those Years 5-1 (12-0) Tracked leaders, 6th 3 out, pushed along in moderate 5th 2 out, moderate 4th at last, kept on without threatening run-in, 4th of 14, 20 3/4l behind Tucanae (11-7) at Fairyhouse 2m mdn Soft - Heavy in Nov.
Pale Blue Dot (FR) 8-1 (11-11) Prominent, 3rd after 2nd, slight mistake 3 out and pushed along, no extra approaching 2 out, 8th of 18, 34 1/4l behind Breakeven (12-0) at Fairyhouse 2m mdn sft in Feb.
The Niffler (IRE) 80-1 (12-0) Towards rear, no impression when mistake and unseated rider 3 out, at Clonmel 2m mdn Yielding - Soft in Dec.
Young Fitzy (IRE) 15-8fav (11-5) Tracked leaders, disputed 2nd after 1st, 2nd when mistake 3 out, ridden in 4th when short of room on inner approaching 2 out, soon switched out, 3rd 2 out, ridden and led before last, kept on well, won at Tramore 1m 7f Soft - Heavy in Jan beating That's Lifebuoy (11-5) by 6l, 7 ran.
Ilmig (IRE) 40-1 (11-12) Mid-division, no impression after last, kept on same pace, 15th of 28, 25 3/4l behind Priory Park (11-10) at Leopardstown 2m 4f hcp sft in Dec.
