held up in touch, 5th from 6th, last and slight mistake 9th, pushed along approaching 3 out, one pace run-in
close up, on terms from 4th, slight lead 11th, pressed from before straight, headed at last, dropped to 3rd and kept on without matching 1st 2 close home
in rear, 5th at 9th, closed up travelling smoothly 2 out, pushed along on inner approaching last, not much room on rail closing stages, kept on well without getting to winner
held up, bad mistake and unseated rider 5th
chased leaders, 3rd from 6th, closed on outer travelling smoothly into straight, pushed along approaching last where still every chance when fell
led, joined from 4th, marginally headed 11th, slight mistake 3 out, soon under pressure, weakened straight
chased leaders, slight mistake 6th, soon raced in 4th, closed up travelling smoothly 2 out, pushed along to lead last, stayed on well run-in
CARLINGFORD LOUGH (NAP) bids for a famous hat-trick of wins in this to add to his previous five successes at Grade 1 level. He’ll have benefited for a recent pipe-opener over hurdles and should make another bold bid having beaten Road To Riches easily in last year’s renewal and Don Poli in the Punchestown Gold Cup subsequently. The latter ran well behind Outlander when second in the Lexus here last time while stablemate and progressive handicapper Empire Of Dirt also takes his chance. Zabana and Jonjo O’Neill’s More Of That were both well beaten in the Lexus and the latter’s stable companion Minella Rocco fell at the last at Aintree in December when chasing home Many Clouds. Sizing John picked-up a much deserved win at Thurles last time having found the brilliant Douvan too good on numerous occasions and could go well in this given he’s unexposed over longer distances.
Carlingford Lough (IRE) 33-1 (11-6) Held up disputing 4th, pushed along in last 3 out, some modest late progress without ever threatening, 4th of 6, 19 3/4l behind Jezki (11-6) at Navan 2m Yielding - Soft in Jan.
Don Poli (IRE) 12-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, reminder 7th, 6th halfway, closer in 3rd 5 out, led and disputed from next, ridden in narrow lead entering straight, headed last, rallied to dispute again run-in, headed and no extra closing stages, held 2nd at line, 2nd of 13, 2 1/4l behind Outlander (11-10) at Leopardstown 3m (1) Yielding in Dec.
Empire Of Dirt (IRE) 12-1 (11-8) Mid-division on inner, headway after 4 out, 6th next, soon ridden, 4th 2 out, led before last stayed on strongly run-in, comfortably, won at Navan 3m hcp Yielding - Soft in Nov beating Abolitionist (10-5) by 4l, 25 ran.
Minella Rocco (IRE) 7-4fav (11-5) Chased leaders, hit 15th, outpaced 4 out, closed from 3 out, 2nd 2 out, 2 1/2 lengths off winner when fell last, at Aintree 3m 1f lst (1) gs in Dec.
More Of That (IRE) 14-1 (11-10) Mid-division, 8th halfway, closer before 2 out, ridden in 6th entering straight, no impression before last, kept on one pace, 6th of 13, 11 1/4l behind Outlander (11-10) at Leopardstown 3m (1) Yielding in Dec.
Road To Riches (IRE) 16-1 (11-10) Held up towards rear, ridden in 9th before 2 out where slight mistake, soon no impression, kept on one pace, 8th of 13, 17 1/4l behind Outlander (11-10) at Leopardstown 3m (1) Yielding in Dec.
Sizing John 3-1 (11-8) Chased leaders in 3rd, ridden into 2nd entering straight, challenged 2 out, soon under pressure in 2nd, stayed on to press leader passing last, led run-in and kept on well closing stages, won at Thurles 2m 4f (1) Yielding - Soft in Jan beating Sub Lieutenant (11-8) by 2 1/2l, 6 ran.
Zabana (IRE) 8-1 (11-10) Led and disputed, slight mistake 6th and headed, 3rd halfway, ridden to dispute 2 out, headed entering straight, no extra in 4th before last, kept on one pace, 7th of 13, 15 3/4l behind Outlander (11-10) at Leopardstown 3m (1) Yielding in Dec.
