tracked leader in 2nd, ridden after 2 out, weakened to 9th and mistake at last, no impression
led, not fluent at 3rd, slight mistake 4 out mr and headed entering straight, soon weakened
tracked leaders, slight mistake 4 out, 3rd next, went 2nd entering straight, ridden in close 2nd at last, no extra inside final furlong, 5th close home
mid-division, headway into 5th 3 out, improved to lead entering straight, soon ridden, strongly pressed inside final furlong, stayed on well close home
mid-division, ridden in 8th entering straight, 6th at last, no extra
soon mid-division on outer, dropped to rear and slight mistake 6th, slight mistake again next, not fluent 4 out, ridden in 9th after 2 out, kept on one pace
always towards rear, no impression from 3 out, never a factor
tracked leaders, 7th 3 out, ridden and headway into 4th at last, improved into 2nd and strongly pressed winner inside final furlong, kept on same pace close home
towards rear, headway into mid-division on outer 4 out, 6th next, ridden in 4th entering straight, 3rd at last, no extra run-in
tracked leaders, 4th 3 out, ridden from next, 5th at last, kept on without threatening in 3rd inside final furlong
mid-division on inner, no impression from 3 out, never a factor
towards rear, slightly closer in 9th 3 out, soon ridden and no impression
Cuneo is the only course and distance winner in the line-up having beaten a huge field in a Pertemps Qualifier over Christmas. He's up 7lb and on the upgrade though this looks tougher. Salty Boy battled on strongly to land a 2m4f handicap at Navan and this longer trip won't be a problem nor will it for Pleasure Dome, who has been placed in Grade 3 and 2 company in his last two starts over the distance, though he was only just in front of Cap York in the latter of those races. Calie Du Mesnil started favourite in Salty Boy's race at Navan but something must have been amiss as he pulled up while FLAWLESS ESCAPE, who ran a fine race when third in this last year, didn't take to jumping fences at Fairyhouse in December and looks to have been trained for this. Brosna George has been in superb form at a lower level and deserves a crack at this grade. His three victories have been over this trip on good ground so he wouldn't want more rain.
Tigris River (IRE) 28-1 (11-8) Mid-division, reminders 1st, ridden towards rear 3 out, no extra, 18th of 23, dist behind Cuneo (10-7) at Leopardstown 3m hcp Good - Yielding in Dec.
Salty Boy (IRE) 11-2 (10-7) Tracked leaders, 3rd 4 out, went 2nd next, pushed along and disputed lead after 2 out, ridden at last, led narrowly inside final furlong, stayed on well close home, won at Navan 2m 4f hcp Yielding in Dec beating Golden Jewel (9-13) by 1/2l, 20 ran.
Cuneo (FR) 12-1 (10-7) Settled behind leaders, 8th halfway, improved to challenge 2 out, soon disputed, ridden in narrow lead before last, joined last, kept on best run-in, all out, won at Leopardstown 3m hcp Good - Yielding in Dec beating Walk To Freedom (11-6) by 1/2l, 23 ran.
Dallas Des Pictons (FR) 6-5fav (11-12) Tracked leaders, not fluent 5th, travelling smoothly and on terms before straight, soon led and asserted, stayed on well run-in, easily, won at Punchestown 2m 4f mdn gd in Jan beating Lighthouse Warrier (11-12) by 10l, 15 ran.
Oscar Knight (IRE) 14-1 (10-7) Mid-division, ridden 5 out, no extra next and weakened, pulled up before 2 out, at Listowel 3m hcp sft in Sep.
Pleasure Dome 8-1 (10-10) Rear, 6th after 9th, travelled well and headway on inner before 2 out, not much room in 5th on inner after 2 out, 4th at last, ridden in 3rd run-in, kept on without threatening, 3rd of 6, 1 1/2l behind Derrinross (11-6) at Limerick 3m (1) sft in Dec.
Boot Camp (IRE) 14-1 (11-10) Led, slight mistake 6th and joined briefly next, pushed along and headed before 2 out where hampered, no extra approaching last, 6th of 8, 25 1/2l behind Brosna George (10-5) at Fairyhouse 3m hcp gd in Jan.
Calie Du Mesnil (FR) 9-2fav (10-6) In rear, slight mistakes 2nd and 5th, no impression from 4 out, pulled up before 3 out, at Navan 2m 4f hcp Yielding in Dec.
Mon Lino (FR) 14-1 (10-10) Always towards rear, never a factor, pushed along and no impression in rear after 5 out, soon detached and no extra, 9th of 11, dist behind Concordin (11-4) at Cork 2m 4f hcp sft in Jan.
Jimmy Breekie (IRE) 12-1 (10-9) Mid-division on inner, checked briefly entering straight, headway into 4th and ridden 2 out, 3rd at last, kept on same pace, 3rd of 13, 2 1/2l behind Agusta Gold (9-10) at Navan 2m 4f hcp Yielding in Jan.
Nobody Home (IRE) 9-2jfav (11-4) Tracked leader, 2nd halfway, pushed along in 4th after 2 out and no impression before last, no extra run-in, 4th of 11, 20 3/4l behind Speaker Connolly (11-8) at Leopardstown 2m 5f hcp gd in Dec.
The Gatechecker (IRE) 14-1 (10-0) Held up towards rear, some progress into mid-division after 3 out, ridden and no impression entering straight, kept on one pace, 13th of 23, dist behind Cuneo (10-7) at Leopardstown 3m hcp Good - Yielding in Dec.
Flawless Escape 5-2jfav (11-12) Tracked leaders, 6th from 4th, slightly slow jump 9th, lost position and no impression from 10th where not fluent, not fluent next, soon behind, 9th of 10, dist behind Mortal (11-12) at Fairyhouse 2m 5f gd in Dec.
Cap York (FR) 12-1 (11-3) Raced 4th, 3rd after 9th, under pressure and dropped to rear before 2 out, ridden after 2 out, ran on well run-in to 4th closing stages, no danger, 4th of 6, 4 1/2l behind Derrinross (11-6) at Limerick 3m (1) sft in Dec.
Mary Frances (IRE) 33-1 (10-7) Led or disputed lead, led early straight, pushed along before 2 out and 2 lengths lead approaching last, ridden and headed run-in, no extra, 3rd of 18, 3 1/2l behind Midnight Stroll (10-12) at Cork 2m 4f hcp sft in Jan.
Brosna George (IRE) 5-1 (10-5) Mid-division, 5th on outer halfway, headway 4 out, pushed along to challenge when left in clear lead 2 out, kept on well from before last, won at Fairyhouse 3m hcp gd in Jan beating Shar Whats Therush (9-11) by 8l, 8 ran.
