pulled hard in 2nd, refused to settle and led 6 out, headed and weakened entering straight
held up towards rear, headway from 4 out, progress on outer early straight, ridden to lead 2 out, kept on well from last
mid-division, 5th 4 out, soon ridden and no impression
tracked leaders, closer in 3rd 4 out, disputed lead briefly before 2 out, kept on same pace from next
led, headed 6 out, ridden and weakened from 4 out
tracked leaders, ridden in 5th 3 out, 3rd next, went 2nd before last, kept on
held up, last 4 out, soon ridden, kept on without threatening from 2 out
held up in rear, ridden and no impression from 4 out
tracked leaders, led entering straight, soon ridden, headed 2 out, no impression
SHUIL ARIS has a much higher rating over fences and can revert to the smaller obstacles in style. Paul Nolan's mare ended her last campaign with an easy victory on heavy going at Fairyhouse and a fine second in a tough Punchestown handicap on going just too quick. Fosters Cross is also better known as a chaser but has scored on the Flat recently and is still useful over hurdles. Ainama won easily over three miles here in September and that could be his trip, a remark that also applies to Prince Rudi, an impressive winner at Punchestown in April but 10lb higher for his reappearance. Big Game Hunter has yet to prove himself over today's distance but will have conditions in his favour.
Fosters Cross (IRE) 4-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, mistake 6th, dropped to 8th after 4 out, behind when pulled up before next, in a race won by Jigalo (10-4) at Gowran Park 2m 1f chs in Oct, 10 ran.
Ainama (IRE) 10-3fav (11-3) Held up in rear of mid-division, 10th when mistake 3 out, some headway early straight, no impression in 6th from before last, 6th of 14, 4l behind Molly's Boy (9-12) at Gowran Park 3m hcp hdl in Oct.
Prince Rudi (IRE) 16-1 (10-8) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, headway in 2nd 2 out, led entering straight, ridden clear before last, kept on strongly, easily, won at Punchestown 3m hcp hdl 88-130 gd in Apr beating Dancing Hero (11-3) by 9l, 25 ran.
The Bishop Looney (IRE) 16-1 (10-6) Chased leaders, closed in to straight, no extra under pressure from before last, 5th of 10, 11l behind The Shepherd (10-0) at Clonmel 3m hcp hdl 0-140.
Kirbybroguelantern (IRE) 10-1 (11-12) Led, headed after 5 out, 5th and mistake 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off, 10th of 13, well behind Bremen (11-12) at Tipperary 2m beg chs in Oct.
Big Game Hunter (IRE) 7-1 (11-1) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden in 6th 3 out, no extra before straight, 6th of 10, 11l behind Macville (11-4) at Limerick 2m 5f lst nov hdl (4yo+) (1) gd in Oct.
Shuil Aris (IRE) 10-1 (10-7) Mid-division, 9th halfway, 7th approaching 4 out, went 2nd before 2 out, kept on well under pressure from before last, not match winner run-in, 2nd of 23, 1 1/2l behind Coolcashin (10-9) at Punchestown 3m 1f hcp chs 0-145 gd in Apr.
Tally Em Up (IRE) 14-1 (9-5) In rear, kept on without threatening under pressure straight, 7th of 14, 9l behind Sweet Shock (10-6) at Naas 2m 4f hcp hdl sft in Oct.
Ordinary Man (IRE) 4-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders on inner, 5th halfway, 7th entering straight, kept on same pace without threatening, 5th of 18, 4l behind Gran Torino (11-4) at Thurles 2m 2f 5yo mdn hdl sft.
