towards rear, 7th halfway, close 6th 2 out but ridden and no impression last, kept on one pace
chased leaders in 4th, closer in 3rd from 4th, ridden to challenge last, under pressure and kept on run-in, no impression on winner
held up in rear, ridden and no impression in 7th before last, kept on one pace
settled in 5th, closer in 4th 2 out and smooth progress to lead last, ridden and kept on well run-in
tracked leader in 2nd, slight mistake 3rd, dropped to 5th 2 out, ridden and no impression in 8th at last
chased leaders in 3rd, not jump fluently and mistake 3rd, progress to lead briefly before 2 out, ridden approaching last and no impression in 3rd early run-in, no extra final 100 yards
towards rear, in touch but pushed along in 8th 2 out, no extra approaching last
raced in 6th, close 7th when not fluent 2 out, ridden in 5th approaching last and no impression run-in
led, headed approaching 2 out, led again briefly entering straight, ridden and dropped to 4th when mistake last, soon no extra, kept on one pace into 3rd final 50 yards
Denis Hogan was on the scoresheet on St Stephens Day and can continue the good work with INIS MEAIN. A winner just once over hurdles, he's been in superb form on the Flat having been placed in three Listed events since September and will enjoy the testing ground. Pires is one of the most versatile horses in training and must be respected though he's probably better over fences these days but Star Of Aragon arrives in good form having run really well in a tough Fairyhouse handicap last time. Leah Claire will be fancied though she was behind the selection in the Listed Oyster Stakes at Galway in September when receiving 8lb. Araku Valley created a shock when landing a Clonmel maiden but this is very much tougher.
Araku Valley (IRE) 33-1 (10-13) Mid-division, good headway approaching 3 out and led after flight, ridden 2 out, kept on strongly from before last, eased close home, comfortably, won at Clonmel 2m mdn hdl sft in Oct beating Who's That (10-4) by 8l, 17 ran.
Leah Claire (IRE) 2-1fav (10-8) Tracked leader, keen hold, lost place a little 3 out, 2nd again and challenged from before 2 out where slight mistake, switched run-in and soon led, stayed on well, won at Limerick 2m hdl gd in Apr beating Absolutlyfantastic (11-6) by 3 1/2l, 7 ran.
Theatre Mill (IRE) 12-1 (9-3) Prominent, disputed lead from 3rd, headed 3 out and soon ridden, weakened quickly entering straight, 11th of 13, 39l behind Pink Coat (9-10) at Fairyhouse 2m hcp hdl in Nov.
Dysios (IRE) 11-2 (10-7) Rear of mid-division, not fluent 3rd, headway into 5th after 2 out, soon pushed along and no impression approaching last, kept on one pace, 6th of 11, 9l behind City Slicker (10-6) at Punchestown 2m hcp hdl 0-140 in Nov.
Face Value 33-1 (10-1) Led, joined 3 out, headed before next, no impression from before last, 7th of 16, 8l behind Jennies Jewel (10-11) at Navan 2m 4f hcp hdl.
Inis Meain (USA) 6-1 (10-8) Always prominent, tracked leader in 2nd until led after 3 out, strongly pressed early straight and headed last, no extra run-in, 5th of 18, 2l behind Summer Star (9-10) at Leopardstown 2m hcp hdl 0-140 gs in Mar.
Owennacurra Milan (IRE) 14-1 (10-13) Towards rear, headway 3 out, no impression in moderate 6th from before straight, left a place better and ran on from last to dispute moderate 3rd on line, 3rd of 11, 16l behind Upazo (11-6) at Fairyhouse 2m hdl.
Pires 8-1 (11-7) Towards rear, pecked 7 out, 9th after 5 out, no impression approaching straight, 9th of 10, well behind The Amarillo Kid (10-7) at Cork 2m gd in Oct.
Star Of Aragon (IRE) 16-1 (9-10) Led, joined 3rd and well clear of remainder, led 3 out, soon ridden, headed next, no extra before last, 4th of 13, 11l behind Pink Coat (9-10) at Fairyhouse 2m hcp hdl in Nov.
