in rear, hampered approaching 5 out, moderate 6th approaching straight, soon closed, disputed 5th before last and no impression, one pace
led and clear early, reduced lead after 2nd, headed from before last, soon one pace in 3rd
towards rear, 8th after 2nd, slightly slow 5th, slightly impeded approaching 5 out, mistake 3 out, closed straight, disputed 5th before last and no impression, one pace
jumped left 1st, took keen hold, chased leaders, 4th after 2nd, moderate 4th approaching straight, soon closed, no extra from before last where not fluent
held up, 7th after 2nd, still 7th when slipped up approaching 5 out
chased leader, 2nd after 2nd, closed up travelling smoothly straight, challenged and on terms from before last, soon led, stayed on well run-in, comfortably
held up, 6th after 2nd, jumped slightly right 4th, slightly slow next, mistake 3 out, moderate 7th approaching straight, no impression from before 2 out
chased leaders, 5th after 2nd, moderate 5th approaching straight, soon closed, challenged in 3rd from 2 out, on terms from before last, soon headed, switched left run-in and no impression, one pace
chased leaders, 3rd after 2nd, jumped slightly right 4th, 4th from 2 out, one pace from before last
Darwins Theory has produced a couple of decent efforts over fences, both at Downpatrick, but otherwise has been disappointing. Old Supporter hasn't won for over a year and both victories came over further. He has twice finished behind Valours Minion but is much better off at the weights with the latter, who showed himself in very good form with a smooth victory at Galway for which he's been raised 9lb. West Council was a long way behind in that Galway event and pulled up at Thurles on Thursday but both of Mark Me Up's two victories have come on heavy going so if the ground turns testing he would enter the equation. He fell in the race won by Fiery Oscar at Thurles in March when LEAP DEARG was narrowly beaten. That was the latter's first start in a handicap and only his fifth under Rules so he has the scope to go on to better things, beginning here. London Bridge has been beaten out of sight since reappearing over fences after a very long absence and Clashnabrook hasn't run for a year though the latter is very much at home on testing ground.
Darwins Theory (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) Prominent, slight mistake 1st, disputed lead from 6 out, slight mistake next, headed and ridden 4 out, 4th next, weakened, 6th of 7, 34l behind Crown Theatre (11-11) at Wexford 2m 1f beg chs gd in Oct.
Old Supporter (IRE) 4-1 (11-3) Disputed lead, headed from 2nd, moderate 2nd after until closer order 6 out, no impression in 3rd and one pace from 2 out, 3rd of 9, 13l behind Jack The Hat (11-8) at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp chs 0-116 gd in Oct.
London Bridge 22-1 (10-0) Tracked leaders, slight mistake 4th, bad mistake 5 out, soon behind, trailing from next, 7th of 8, well behind Sizing Solution (10-5) at Down Royal 2m hcp chs in Oct.
Clashnabrook (IRE) 11-1 (11-0) Mid-division, jumped left at times, 9th after 3 out, no impression next, 11th of 14, well behind Viaduct Joey (10-9) at Galway 2m 6f hcp hdl 8Evens30 hvy in Oct '13.
Mark Me Up 12-1 (11-2) Held up, closer in 6th halfway, fell 6th, in a race won by Fiery Oscar (11-8) at Thurles 2m hcp chs 0-109 hvy in Mar, 9 ran.
Leap Dearg (IRE) 6-1 (10-11) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, improved to challenge 2 out, soon ridden in close 2nd, no extra run-in, kept on same pace, 2nd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Fiery Oscar (11-8) at Thurles 2m hcp chs 0-109 hvy in Mar.
Valours Minion (IRE) 9-2 (9-10) Mid-division, 4th before halfway, went 2nd 4 out and disputed next, travelled well to lead entering straight, asserted inside final furlong, easily, won at Galway 2m 1f hcp chs gd in Oct beating Whisky Galore (9-10) by 4l, 9 ran.
West Council (IRE) 40-1 (10-13) Disputed early, soon chased leaders, mid-division before halfway, mistake 4 out, soon pulled up and dismounted, in a race won by Diamond Dame (11-9) at Thurles 2m hcp hdl 80-95 gd, 14 ran.
Glenanelucy (IRE) 16-1 (11-1) Soon towards rear, pulled up after 6th, in a race won by Refused A Name (10-10) at Down Royal 2m 4f hcp chs 0-95 sft in Dec, 16 ran.
