tracked leaders, slightly impeded 4 out, pushed along approaching straight, kept on without matching principals from before last
prominent, not fluent 3rd and not jump well after, pulled up after 5th
soon led, jumped slightly right 3rd, asserted straight, slight mistake last, stayed on well run-in, easily
held up in touch, closer in 4th 2 out, chased winner in 2nd from last where pecked slightly, one pace
chased leaders, closer order when slight mistake 4 out, pushed along before straight, soon chased winner, pecked slightly last, kept on same pace run-in
tracked leaders, slightly slow 5th, slight mistake 7th, pushed along before straight, soon no impression
in rear, not fluent 7th, pushed along straight, soon no impression
This should be worth the entrance money alone. Min has only found the brilliant Altior too good since arriving from France with a huge reputation. He produced an outstanding debut performance over fences at Navan and will take the world of beating but IDENTITY THIEF could be up to the job. Last season's Fighting Fifth winner has been equally impressive in his two starts over the bigger obstacles and though only having Ordinary World a length behind at Punchestown had plenty in hand. He should be better value than the likely favourite and looks the one to be on. His stable companion Three Stars has done very well over the bigger obstacles with a Grade 3 victory at Punchestown the highlight though it's unlikely he could topple the big two unless there are mishaps. Road To Respect beat the highly regarded Prince Of Scars at Naas but didn't look up to this class in the Drinmore at Fairyhouse and though Tully East looks a very nice prospect this is a tough task.
Baily Cloud (IRE) 16-1 (11-5) Ran 4th, 3rd 4 out, slight mistake 2 out and soon ridden, no impression in 4th and mistake last, no extra, 5th of 6, 6 1/4l behind Three Stars (11-1) at Punchestown 2m 2f (1) gd in Oct.
Identity Thief (IRE) 2-5fav (11-4) Tracked leader in 2nd, took closer order from 4 out, improved to dispute lead before last, pushed along to lead run-in, eased close home, won at Punchestown 2m (1) sft in Nov beating Ordinary World (11-4) by 1l, 5 ran.
Min (FR) 1-3fav (11-12) Made all, wandered approaching 1st, went clear from 3 out, stayed on strongly from last, easily, impressive, won at Navan 2m 1f Yielding - Soft in Nov beating Three Wise Men (11-12) by 10l, 17 ran.
Ordinary World (IRE) 11-1 (11-4) Led, pressed from 4 out, joined before last, ridden and headed run-in, kept on same pace closing stages, 2nd of 5, 1l behind Identity Thief (11-4) at Punchestown 2m (1) sft in Nov.
Road To Respect (IRE) 10-1 (11-10) Mid-division, 5th halfway, pushed along after 2 out, ridden and no impression run-in, kept on one pace, 4th of 7, 8 1/4l behind Coney Island (11-10) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f (1) Good - Yielding in Dec.
Three Stars (IRE) 10-3 (11-6) Led, joined briefly 8th, led next, ridden and headed 2 out, disputed 2nd at last, no extra in 3rd inside final furlong, 3rd of 4, 1l behind Attribution (11-0) at Navan 2m 1f (1) Yielding - Soft in Dec.
Tully East (IRE) 7-2 (11-12) Settled behind leaders, closer in 5th halfway, progress and slight mistake 2 out, ridden to lead before last, kept on well run-in, won at Thurles 2m 2f Yielding in Dec beating A Sizing Network (11-12) by 5 1/2l, 14 ran.
