tracked leaders, not fluent at 3rd, 5th 5 out, ridden and weakened from 3 out
held up in last, slight mistake 4th and pushed along briefly, pushed along briefly again at 6th, moderate 7th 3 out, kept on one pace straight
mid-division on outer, headway into 3rd 3 out,, improved to dispute lead travelling well and with every chance when fell 2 out
rear of mid-division, no impression from 3 out, never a factor
tracked leader in 2nd, improved to dispute lead briefly 5 out, 3rd next, ridden in 2nd after 3 out, weakened entering straight
mid-division, headway into 4th 3 out, ridden in 2nd entering straight, disputed lead 2 out, improved to lead briefly at last, soon joined, stayed on well run-in, led near line
towards rear, headway into 6th 3 out, ridden in 4th entering straight, 4th and left 3rd 2 out, went 2nd at last, disputed lead early run-in, stayed on well run-in, headed near line
tracked leaders, improved to dispute lead 5 out, led next, ridden entering straight, joined 2 out, headed at last, soon no extra, dropped to 4th inside final furlong
mid-division on inner, closer in 4th 5 out, ridden in 5th entering straight, left 4th 2 out, 4th and slight mistake at last, kept on without threatening in 3rd inside final furlong
led, joined 5 out, headed next, soon ridden and weakened quickly
Several of these arrive in peak form including Dromore Lad, who has thrived since getting a proper test of stamina and was only beaten a head at Wexford or would have been on a five-timer. Like Poker Party he's shot up the weights and faces a stiffer challenge though the latter battled away for his recent victory at Tramore. FITZHENRY has shown tremendous progress over fences in the last few weeks and arrives back over hurdles on a 7lb lower mark so is taken to follow up last month's success at Thurles. Capture The Drama is much better known as a chaser these days and made most here on New Year's Day. He's another on a lower mark over timber who can't be ignored. Shannak, the only course and distance winner in the line-up, has been running better than his form figures suggest and is just 3lb higher than his last winning mark.
Charmix (FR) 25-1 (11-3) Towards rear, unseated rider at 6th, at Limerick 2m 4f hcp hvy in Dec.
Rathpatrick (IRE) 40-1 (10-10) Held up, 13th after 6th, no extra and pulled up before final hurdle, at Leopardstown 3m hcp sft in Dec.
Shannak (IRE) 20-1 (9-13) Chased leaders, led final hurdle, headed into straight, soon no extra, one pace, 6th of 29, 16 1/2l behind Mine Now (11-0) at Leopardstown 3m hcp sft in Dec.
Rightdownthemiddle (IRE) 16-1 (10-12) Tracked leader in 2nd, weakened quickly after 4th, trailing in rear when pulled up after 6th, at Navan 2m 7f hcp Soft - Heavy in Nov.
Poker Party (FR) 4-1jfav (11-10) Led, took keen hold, joined 7th and headed next, regained lead after 3 out, ridden 2 out, stayed on well run-in, won at Tramore 2m 5f hcp hvy in Dec beating Chateauneuf Du Pap (11-9) by 5l, 10 ran.
Dromore Lad (IRE) 13-8fav (10-12) Tracked leaders in 4th, 3rd at 10th, improved to lead after 3 out, slight mistake 2 out, soon ridden clear, stayed on well run-in, won at Fairyhouse 2m 7f hcp hvy in Dec beating Allez Kal (9-13) by 6l, 9 ran.
Fitzhenry (IRE) 11-8fav (11-4) Rear of mid-division, progress to 3rd at 4th, 4th at 7th, took closer order 4 out, closed 3 out, on terms 2 out, soon led, ridden run-in, kept on best under pressure, won at Thurles 2m 4f hcp hvy in Dec beating Routes Choice (11-4) by 3/4l, 8 ran.
Apache Jack (IRE) 20-1 (11-8) Led, clear halfway, ridden and headed after 3 out, moderate 3rd 2 out, soon no impression, dropped to 4th close home, 4th of 9, 28 1/2l behind Dromore Lad (10-12) at Fairyhouse 2m 7f hcp hvy in Dec.
Peace N' Milan (IRE) 14-1 (11-5) Always towards rear, ridden and no impression 3 out, soon no extra, 8th of 10, 26l behind Aa Bee See (10-7) at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp hvy in Dec.
Capture The Drama (IRE) 9-1 (10-5) Made most, ridden entering straight, headed approaching 2 out, rallied to regain lead before last, stayed on well run-in, won at Fairyhouse 3m 1f hcp hvy in Jan beating Toubaloo (11-3) by 1 1/2l, 12 ran.
