rear of mid-division, ridden in 9th 3 out, soon no impression, never a factor
rear of mid-division, ridden in 8th 3 out, soon weakened quickly, pulled up before 2 out
tracked leader in 2nd, improved to lead before 2 out, soon ridden clear and swished tail under pressure before last, reduced advantage and swished tail run-in, no extra and headed near line
mid-division, bad mistake 4 out and dropped to rear, ridden 3 out, some modest late headway from 2 out
mid-division, mistake 4th, 6th 3 out, soon ridden and no impression
tracked leaders on outer, close 3rd 3 out, soon ridden and no impression
led, not fluent 4th, not fluent 3 out and pushed along, headed before next, under pressure in 2nd when jumped right at last, no extra and dropped to 3rd close home
towards rear, fell 3rd
always towards rear, slight mistakes 4th and 6th and soon trailing, no impression from 3 out, never a factor
tracked leaders, close 4th 3 out, ridden in 3rd 2 out, closer 3rd at last, stayed on well run-in to lead near line
in rear, some progress into 7th 3 out, soon ridden, moderate 5th next, no impression
tracked leaders, ridden in 5th 3 out, 4th next, no extra
Bally Longford was chasing when last seen in the summer but his second place behind Deep Trouble in a lucrative Punchestown handicap in May would put him right in the picture. Shantou Ed ploughed through the mud to score at Leopardstown in December and similar conditions would see him go well but this can go to JIMMY TWO TIMES, who jumped to the right at every flight but was still in front when falling at the last at Leopardstown in December. He's been given a break and will be suited by this right-hand track so can make amends. Burning Issues completed a double over this trip before finding a big weight rise and longer distance against him at Navan while easy Leopardstown maiden winner Fletcher couldn't cope in Grade 3 company at Clonmel.
The Crafty Butcher (IRE) 14-1 (11-3) Always towards rear, ridden and trailing out, soon no impression, never a factor, tailed off, last of 6, well behind Very Wood (11-3) at Navan 3m nov chs G2 (1).
Bally Longford (IRE) 6-4 (11-2) Raced in close 2nd, 3rd after 7th, improved to 2nd at 8th, bad mistake 6 out and dropped to 4th, detached in rear after 5 out, improved to 3rd before 2 out, stayed on strongly run-in to 2nd on line, 2nd of 4, 2 1/4l behind Hurricane Ridge (11-4) at Listowel 2m 4f nov chs gd in Sep.
Flaming Dawn (IRE) 50-1 (11-2) Mid-division, 11th halfway, no impression 2 out, kept on one pace straight, 7th of 18, 18l behind Lean Araig (10-12) at Punchestown 3m hcp hdl sft.
Grand Partner (IRE) 16-1 (10-7) Tracked leaders, 5th halfway, pushed along and no impression after 2 out, 6th and slight mistake last, no extra, 8th of 18, 20l behind Lean Araig (10-12) at Punchestown 3m hcp hdl sft.
Shantou Ed (IRE) 9-1 (10-10) Tracked leaders, ridden after 3 out, dropped to 14th 2 out, soon no impression, 12th of 24, 17l behind Katie T (10-9) at Leopardstown 2m hcap hdle sft in Jan.
Phantom Prince (IRE) 25-1 (11-6) Mid-division, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, never a factor, 15th of 17, well behind Mydor (10-2) at Leopardstown 3m hcp hdl sft in Jan.
Jimmy Two Times (IRE) 6-1 (10-11) Led, jumped right, went badly right 5th, pushed along and 2 lengths clear when fell last, in a race won by Bentelimar (11-5) at Leopardstown 2m 4f nov hcp hdl sft in Dec, 14 ran.
Fletcher (IRE) 16-1 (11-2) Prominent and disputed early, chased leader in 2nd from 5th, ridden and no extra 3 out, weakened, 6th of 9, well behind Roi Des Francs (11-2) at Clonmel 2m 6f nov hdl Grd 3 (1).
Black Benny (IRE) 20-1 (10-13) Soon mid-division, 13th at 8th, no impression when impeded 3 out, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Balbriggan (9-12) at Navan 3m hcap ch sft in Nov, 25 ran.
Rightdownthemiddle (IRE) 9-1 (10-7) Chased leaders, 9th halfway, lost place approaching 2 out and 14th entering straight, some progress into 9th last, kept on one pace, 8th of 18, 14l behind Sort It Out (10-7) at Leopardstown 2m hcp hdl.
Burning Issues (IRE) 7-1 (10-3) Held up, 11th at 6th, 12th after 4 out, improved into 3rd 2 out, not fluent last, one pace run-in, 3rd of 14, 7l behind Pencilhimin (9-13) at Navan 2m 7f hcap hdle Grd C sft in Nov.
Dantes Firth (IRE) 10-1 (11-0) Prominent, 4th from 6th, close up 3 out, soon on terms, dropped to dispute 3rd at last, no extra, 5th of 11, 12l behind Follow The Sign (11-0) at Gowran Park 2m 4f hcp hdl sft.
