Francis Flood had little option but to run WICKLOW LAD with a 6lb penalty after his charge demolished his field at Thurles on Thursday. The handicapper will react with a big weight rise so the six-year-old is obviously very well in if able to repeat that sort of form. It was very testing ground when Drain Hopper scored at Roscommon in September and she may struggle here from a 12lb higher mark. Majic Moments scored from a much higher mark in the UK and looked as though he was running into some kind of form at Tramore last month. He looks a threat with his low weight but Gentleman Jim has shown little since an excellent second to Jack Absolute here in April.
Richard The First (GER) 16-1 (11-12) Mid-division, mistake 7th, 9th halfway, ridden in 8th and no impression 4 out, kept on one pace, 6th of 16, 24l behind Essex (11-12) at Listowel 2m 3f beg chs gd in Sep.
Drain Hopper 25-1 (11-2) Led, ridden and headed entering straight, weakened, 5th of 14, 21l behind Cool Quest (11-7) at Clonmel 2m 1f beg chs in Oct.
Onzo Mor (IRE) 14-1 (11-9) In touch towards rear, not always fluent jumping, no impression from 3 out, 7th of 9, 20l behind AHorseCalledMolly (11-12) at Fairyhouse 3m beg chs gf in Oct.
Gentleman Jim (IRE) 12-1 (11-9) Led, slight mistake and headed 5th, ridden and weakened 5 out, 9th of 12, well behind Sainte Kadette (11-3) at Wexford 2m 2f cond hcp hdl 8Evens09 in Oct.
Torremuelle (IRE) 9-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, mistake 8th, soon lost place, no extra 5 out, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Skidroe Joe (10-12) at Tramore 2m 6f hcp chs 0-95 in Oct, 15 ran.
Bonny Isle (IRE) 25-1 (11-5) Always towards rear, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Borolee (11-7) at Punchestown 2m 6f hcp chs 0-102 in Oct, 18 ran.
Buen Camino (IRE) 20-1 (10-5) Towards rear, 6th and ridden 3 out, no impression from before next, 6th of 11, 28l behind The Burrow Vic (11-0) at Sligo 3m hcp chs 0-116 in Sep.
Highglen (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, weakened from 3 out, 19th of 22, 46l behind Fool's Wildcat (10-8) at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp hdl 80-102 gd in Oct.
Wicklow Lad 9-1 (9-12) Always prominent, slow at 3rd, 2nd halfway, led bypassing 5 out, clear 4 out, stayed on well from before last, won at Thurles 2m 2f Conditional Handicap Chase (0-109) (4yo+) sft beating Tawrific Laois (10-3) by 17l, 12 ran.
Queen Court (IRE) 28-1 (11-0) In rear, jumped slowly 9th, behind from next, tailed off, 6th of 7, well behind Frankie Anson (11-7) at Cartmel 2m 5f beg chs (4) gd in Aug.
Ashfield Present (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden in 7th and no extra 3 out, weakened and pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Burnt Oil Babe (11-2) at Downpatrick 2m 2f hcp chs 0-95 gd in Oct, 13 ran.
D's Trix (IRE) 8-1 (9-12) Towards rear, 9th halfway, moderate 7th approaching 2 out, kept on under pressure without threatening, 4th of 12, 40l behind Wicklow Lad (9-12) at Thurles 2m 2f Conditional Handicap Chase (0-109) (4yo+) sft.
Majic Moments (IRE) 9-1 (11-0) Mid-division, 6th 5 out, 4th approaching 2 out, soon no impression under pressure and kept on same pace, 4th of 15, 15l behind Skidroe Joe (10-12) at Tramore 2m 6f hcp chs 0-95 in Oct.
Stonesinmypocket (IRE) 25-1 (10-13) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, no extra from 3 out, kept on one pace, 6th of 15, 32l behind More Claret (10-8) at Wexford 2m 1f beg chs in Oct.
Letterlee Star (IRE) 12-1 (11-1) Tracked leaders, ridden along from halfway, moderate 5th 3 out, no impression straight, 4th of 12, 20l behind Monaco Springs (10-9) at Limerick 2m 6f hcp hdl 8Evens02 hvy in Dec.
Tango Island (IRE) 50-1 (11-12) Always behind, tailed off from 4 out, 13th of 17, well behind Realt Dubh (11-12) at Navan 2m 4f beg chs sft in Sep.
Ar Aghaidh Leat (IRE) 10-3 (10-10) Disputed lead, led from 5th, headed after 6 out, 3rd when mistake next, blundered and rider lost irons next, no extra, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by The Burrow Vic (11-0) at Sligo 3m hcp chs 0-116 in Sep, 11 ran.
