soon led, slight mistake 6th, not fluent 7th and joined, soon headed, not fluent 8th, not fluent 4 out, weakened from before next, soon eased
prominent, led from 7th, headed before 4 out where slight mistake, dropped to 8th before straight, no extra and eased from 2 out
soon mid-division, took keen hold, bad mistake 7th, 5th before straight, no extra and eased from 2 out
held up, fell 1st
prominent, pecked 1st, mistake 8th and no extra
held up, detached from 6th, no extra from 3 out
slight mistake 1st and bumped, soon mid-division, slightly impeded 2nd, improved to be close up 4 out and slight mistake, 4th before straight, chased winner last, kept on without matching winner run-in
soon mid-division, slight mistake 8th, 10th before straight, chased leaders and no impression from 2 out, weakened and eased run-in
chased leaders, bumped rival 1st, jumped left 2nd and 3rd, not fluent 7th, slight mistake 8th, 9th before straight, soon no extra
chased leaders, fell 1st
tracked leaders, slight mistake 1st, rider briefly without iron before 2nd, 3rd before straight, one pace
tracked leaders, slight mistake 1st, jumped left 3rd, slightly slow 5th and 6th, on terms from 8th, led before 4 out, slight mistake 3 out, jumped left 2 out, soon went on, slight mistake last and reduced lead, stayed on best run-in
held up, closer in 7th before straight, soon chased leaders and no impression, kept on same pace
slight mistake 4th, mistake 6th and detached, pulled up before 3 out
tracked leaders, not fluent 5th, close up and slight mistake 3 out, 2nd before straight, one pace from 2 out
held up, pushed along briefly after 6th, closer in 6th before straight, soon chased leaders and no impression, kept on same pace
Arthur Moore has the three bottom weights engaged here with Dandridge looking the best of them despite an 8lb rise for an impressive victory at Wexford. Ludo Et Emergo has had problems with his jumping but his overall form when completing the course puts him in the picture while Leap Dearg is probably still on the upgrade and was in tremendous form at this time a year ago. Carriganog has shown his best form over further on quicker ground while King of The Picts may just lack the experience for such a tough event, a remark that also applies to Minella Foru who is progressive nonetheless. Mark Walsh would probably have the choice between the latter and the owner's Hash Brown and has chosen Minella Foru but, in a race where the ability to handle testing conditions and stay a bit further is paramount, it's TOON RIVER, a very impressive winner over 2m2f at Gowran in March, who is taken to defy his big weight.
Toon River (IRE) 16-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders early, mid-division when mistake and unseated rider 9th, at Punchestown 3m 1f hcp sft in May.
Ludo Et Emergo (IRE) 12-1 (10-10) Mid-division on inner, mistake 5th, progress next, closer in 3rd 4 out, behind leaders when fell next, at Punchestown 2m hcp Yielding in Apr.
Leap Dearg (IRE) 15-8fav (11-10) In rear, slight mistake 1st, closer order 4 out, ridden to chase winner from 2 out, kept on same pace run-in, 2nd of 5, 1 3/4l behind Pairofbrowneyes (10-9) at Cork 2m 1f hcp hvy in Nov.
Sammy Black (GER) 5-1fav (10-11) Soon mid-division, under pressure from 8th, moderate 7th before straight, soon no impression, 11th of 15, 21 1/4l behind Mrs Mac Veale (11-3) at Naas 2m 4f hcp Yielding in Nov.
King of The Picts (IRE) 16-1 (10-11) Tracked leaders, soon 3rd, slight mistake 6th and joined for 3rd, pushed along approaching 2 out, soon no impression in rear, last of 5, 8 1/4l behind Devils Bride (11-8) at Naas 2m (1) Yielding in Nov.
Carriganog (IRE) 15-2 (10-3) Towards rear, slight mistake 2nd, closer in 6th at 9th, led approaching straight, soon joined and pecked badly 2 out, still on terms when mistake and unseated rider last, at Limerick 3m hcp Yielding in Oct.
Minella Foru (IRE) 4-6fav (11-12) Chased leaders, slow jump 2nd, 5th at 7th, improved to lead approaching 2 out where jumped slightly left, pushed along to assert from between last 2, stayed on well run-in, easily, won at Limerick 2m 3f gd in May beating Courtncatcher (11-12) by 9 1/2l, 10 ran.
The King Of Brega (IRE) 10-3fav (11-0) Tracked leaders, not fluent 6th, lost position and dropped to 11th and pushed along after 4 out, headway on inner 3 out, improved to dispute lead when bad mistake next, headed, under pressure in 3rd at last, soon 2nd, stayed on strongly to lead near line, won at Down Royal 2m hcp Yielding in Oct beating Churchfield Champ (10-2) by 1/2l, 12 ran.
Hash Brown (IRE) 5-2fav (10-9) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, progress in 3rd approaching 2 out, 2nd and ridden in straight, challenged under pressure inside final furlong, kept on well to lead close home, won at Galway 2m 7f hcp Yielding in Oct beating Ravished (11-7) by hd, 7 ran.
Strongpoint (IRE) 8-1 (11-10) Mid-division, slight mistake 2nd, dropped to 10th and ridden 3 out, no impression, left 3 places closer from 2 out, 7th of 12, 27l behind The King Of Brega (11-0) at Down Royal 2m hcp Yielding in Oct.
Dysios (IRE) 10-1 (11-12) Prominent, soon 3rd, pushed along on inner into straight, no impression in 2nd from before last, one pace, 2nd of 8, 11l behind Velvet Maker (11-12) at Naas 2m Yielding in Nov.
Nearly Nama'd (IRE) 15-2 (11-9) Led and disputed, slight mistake 2nd, 2nd after 6th, challenged 3 out, ridden after 2 out, no impression in 3rd last, no extra run-in, 6th of 8, 16 1/4l behind Valours Minion (10-0) at Kilbeggan 2m 4f hcp Good - Yielding in Aug.
Pires 16-1 (11-7) In rear, mistake and unseated rider 7th, at Down Royal 2m hcp Yielding in Oct.
Gentleman Duke (IRE) 8-1 (10-1) Mid-division, pushed along from 5th between horses, badly hampered approaching 3 out, no impression after, eased, completely tailed off, 10th of 13, dist behind Fethard Player (11-10) at Down Royal 2m hcp Yielding in Oct.
Dandridge 7-2fav (10-6) Chased leader, 2nd halfway, slight mistake 4 out, led before straight, ridden to assert before 2 out, kept on strongly, won at Wexford 2m 4f hcp gd in Oct beating Boher Call (9-10) by 8 1/2l, 6 ran.
Treat Yourself (IRE) 10-1 (10-5) Tracked leaders, reminders approaching 4 out, soon dropped to 5th, moderate 4th before straight, no impression when hit 2 out, 6th of 10, 24 3/4l behind Real Steel (11-10) at Punchestown 2m hcp gd in May.
