chased leader, close up and disputed from 4th, ridden before 2 out, led after 2 out, pressed from last, joined and disputed run-in, headed and held close home
settled behind leaders, slight mistakes 1st and 6th, 3rd halfway, ridden after 3 out, stayed on and closer before last, pressed leader last, no extra in 3rd run-in, kept on one pace
always rear, slight mistake and ridden 3 out, soon no impression, weakened before next
led, joined and disputed from 4th, ridden before 2 out, headed after 2 out, no extra in 4th from last, kept on one pace
settled behind leaders, 4th halfway, ridden after 3 out, stayed on to press leader last, disputed run-in, edged ahead close home
Diamond Turf has disappointed since a narrow defeat on his chasing debut at Fairyhouse and was well beaten there last time. Great Khan has yet to win in a dozen starts over fences and has been runner-up in four of his last five starts. CASTLE OLIVER was well supported for a Fairyhouse handicap and had no problems seeing off the veteran Witness Of Fashion. Western Sea landed a beginners' Chase at Sligo in September but ran poorly on heavy ground at Limerick next time so wouldn't want more rain. Kagney hasn't been seen for a year and has changed stables.
Diamond Turf (FR) 8-1 (11-11) Led, slight mistake 8th, mistake 10th and headed, 3rd next, ridden and dropped towards rear approaching 2 out, kept on one pace run-in to go moderate 4th close home, 4th of 9, 27l behind At The Acorn (11-6) at Fairyhouse 2m 5f sft in Jan.
Great Khan (IRE) 8-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, slight mistake 1st, 5th halfway, slight mistake 3 out, 3rd and pushed along when slight mistake next, went 2nd at last, ridden and kept on one pace, no impression on winner, 2nd of 9, 13l behind Minella Till Dawn (10-10) at Cork 2m 4f hcp sft in Jan.
Kagney (IRE) 33-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, 5th from 4th, slight mistake 3 out, soon no impression, moderate 6th approaching straight, weakened and mistake last, tailed off, 6th of 10, dist behind Real Steel (11-12) at Fairyhouse 2m 5f Yielding in Jan.
Western Sea (IRE) 3-1 (11-7) Led, not fluent and joined 6th, headed before 3 out where mistake, soon 3rd and no extra before straight, 3rd of 6, dist behind Halsafari (11-3) at Limerick 2m 2f hvy in Dec.
Castle Oliver (IRE) 11-2 (11-9) Held up in rear, some headway 3 out, travelled well to lead next, drew clear run-in, very easily, won at Fairyhouse 2m 5f hcp hvy in Jan beating Witness Of Fashion (10-12) by 6l, 10 ran.
