mid-division, 7th halfway, headway into 4th entering straight, challenged in 3rd 2 out, ridden and no extra before last, kept on one pace
chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden 3 out, soon no extra and weakened
chased leaders, 5th halfway, weakened before 4 out, completely tailed off
chased leaders, 6th halfway, headway into 3rd entering straight, challenged 2 out, soon led, ridden and strongly pressed before last, disputed run-in, prevailed close home
mid-division, 11th halfway, ridden into 7th and no impression entering straight, kept on one pace
mid-division, 10th halfway, headway in 6th 3 out, improved to challenge in 4th 2 out, ridden in 3rd approaching last, no extra and kept on same pace
held up towards rear, 11th 4 out, ridden and no extra next
chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden in 5th 3 out, soon no extra and weakened, pulled up after 2 out
led, headed after 4th, 2nd halfway, ridden and no extra approaching 2 out, kept on one pace
mid-division, 8th halfway, headway in 6th entering straight, 5th 2 out, improved to challenge approaching last, ridden to dispute run-in, headed close home
chased leaders, led after 4th, ridden and challenged 2 out, soon headed, no extra and kept on one pace
soon mid-division, towards rear halfway, never a factor
mid-division best, 10th 4 out, ridden in moderate 8th entering straight, no impression and kept on one pace
towards rear, ridden ino moderate 9th entering straight, no impression and kept on one pace
always towards rear
Anderson McAuley proved frustrating in bumpers for Willie Mullins but made a fair debut for new connections at Down Royal and should get into the mix. The champion trainer saddles Johnny McGeeney, an excellent runner-up to Tornedo Shay at Gowran in November but a disappointing and well beaten third at Cork last time. He's likely to start at short odds here so a chance is taken with ESTRELA BRAGE, who caught the eye on his racecourse debut behind Cottrelsbooley in a very strong maiden at Leopardstown. Canaly, who finished just in front that day, had the benefit of previous experience and may not confirm the form. Rough Times didn't enjoy the testing ground here last time after a better effort at Galway.
Anderson Mcauley (IRE) 25-1 (10-13) Held up towards rear, headway 4 out, 6th next, ridden in 4th 2 out, no impression and kept on same pace, left 3rd last, 3rd of 20, 5l behind Silverlord (11-12) at Down Royal 2m mdn hdl hvy in Dec.
Bennative (IRE) 25-1 (11-12) Led and disputed, 2nd halfway, ridden in 4th entering straight, soon no extra and weakened, 15th of 19, 36l behind White Star Line (11-7) at Naas 2m 3f mdn hdl sft.
Buckskin Bob (IRE) 20-1 (10-11) Led, headed before 4th, soon weakened and pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Stakers (11-4) at Tipperary 2m mdn hdl gf in Jun, 20 ran.
Canaly (IRE) 50-1 (11-12) Mid-division, moderate 8th after 3 out, kept on without threatening from before last, 6th of 17, 20l behind Cottrelsbooley (11-12) at Leopardstown 2m mdn hdl hvy in Dec.
Clarinwood 9-2 (11-9) Chased leader in moderate 2nd, ridden in 6th 5f out, soon weakened, eased straight, tailed off, 13th of 17, well behind Soft Spoken Guy (11-11) at Clonmel 2m N H flat gd in Sep '08.
Estrela Brage (USA) 16-1 (11-12) Mid-division, moderate 6th before 3 out, 5th and some progress next, no extra from last, 7th of 17, 22l behind Cottrelsbooley (11-12) at Leopardstown 2m mdn hdl hvy in Dec.
Five Oaks (IRE) Jimble gelding out of Twice As Lucky.
God's County (FR) (9-10) 13th of 15, 8l behind Galeo Des Flandres (8-7) at Toulouse(FR) 1m 4f hcp gs in Nov (flat).
I'm Still Standing (IRE) 14-1 (11-12) Prominent, slight mistake 1st,
Johnny McGeeney (IRE) 13-8 (11-12) Tracked leaders in 5th, went 2nd 4 out, pushed along before 3 out where slight mistake, no extra from next, kept on one pace, 3rd of 14, 19l behind Byerley Bear (11-12) at Cork 2m mdn hdl sft.
Lusmtoto (IRE) Luso gelding out of Be My Toto.
Rough Times (IRE) 8-1 (11-7) Prominent, keen early, 2nd halfway, dropped to 4th under pressure entering straight, no extra after 2 out, 6th of 10, 40l behind Wood Lily (11-0) at Fairyhouse 2m mdn hdl.
Unwanted Gift (IRE) 33-1 (11-7) Mid-division, moderate 7th halfway, no extra approaching straight, kept on one pace from 2 out, 6th of 14, well behind Byerley Bear (11-12) at Cork 2m mdn hdl sft.
Gorgeous Abby (IRE) 33-1 (11-9) Rear of mid-division, no impression 4f out, kept on one pace from before straight, 10th of 18, 31l behind Rebel Fitz (12-0) at Listowel 2m 5yo nhf in Sep.
Monart Lantern (IRE) 50-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, ridden in 6th 3 out, soon no extra, kept on one pace, 7th of 16, 48l behind Bayross (11-12) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f Maiden Hurdle (4-6yo) hvy.
Useless (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) In rear, mistake 3 out, soon no extra, completely tailed off, last of 6, well behind Quiet Word (11-4) at Ballinrobe 2m 4f nov hdl gd in Jun.
Sligo 50-1 (11-5) Held up in touch, close 5th and effort before 2 out, soon no extra, last of 7, 13l behind Darwins Fox (11-3) at Naas 2m lst nov hdl (4yo+) (1).
Alderwood (IRE) 25-1 (11-12) Always towards rear, 11th of 17, 35l behind Cottrelsbooley (11-12) at Leopardstown 2m mdn hdl hvy in Dec.
Bearsgrove (IRE) 50-1 (11-7) Always behind, 21st of 25, well behind Old McDonald (11-12) at Naas 2m 3f mdn hdl.
