held up in 5th, closer early straight, headway to go 2nd before last where slight mistake, quickened to lead run-in and kept on well, easily
tracked leader, 2nd halfway, pushed along early straight, ridden after 2 out and no impression in 3rd last, no extra
slowly away and held up in rear, ran freely, mistake 3rd, no extra after 4 out, weakened, completely tailed off
tracked leader, 3rd halfway, pushed along after 2 out and no impression before last, no extra, kept on one pace run-in
tracked leaders, slight mistake 2nd, 4th halfway, pushed along and no impression approaching last, no extra run-in
led, asserted 2 out, pushed along and 4 lengths clear before last where mistake, headed run-in and soon no impression on winner, kept on one pace
Joseph O'Brien complicates matters by saddling Band of Outlaws and KONITHO. The former, three times a winner on the Flat, made mistakes at a crucial stage when a length behind Maze Runner on his hurdling bow at Cork before battling to a narrow victory at Limerick. Maze Runner couldn't handle the step up to Grade 2 company next time, when Coko Beach was behind on his Irish debut, and this looks more his class but the selection was very impressive on his debut for new connections here last month and can justify his Cheltenham entries. Elysian Plains won easily at Killarney in August but only got as far as the first at Gowran in October but Havingagoodtime has improved with every run and there was plenty to like about his victory at Fairyhouse in December where he was always in the front rank.
Band of Outlaws (IRE) 2-1 (11-0) Mid-division, improved into closer 4th from 3 out, went 2nd from last and ridden to challenge run-in, kept on strongly to lead close home, won at Limerick 2m mdn Soft - Heavy in Dec beating Future Proof (11-0) by 3/4l, 17 ran.
Coko Beach (FR) 6-1 (10-12) Soon chased leaders, slight mistake 3 out, on terms from next, headed straight, no impression when impeded last, one pace, 9th of 11, 20 3/4l behind Rocky Blue (10-12) at Leopardstown 2m (1) Good - Yielding in Dec.
Elysian Plains (IRE) 7-4 (11-0) Led, 6 lengths clear when awkward jump and unseated rider 1st, at Gowran Park 2m gd in Oct.
Havingagoodtime 25-1 (10-7) Led, headed briefly 2nd, headed before 4th and 2nd halfway, pushed along and headway to lead again approaching last, soon asserted and kept on well run-in, won at Fairyhouse 2m mdn Good - Yielding in Dec beating Bachelor (11-0) by 4 1/2l, 16 ran.
Konitho (FR) 8-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, headway into 2nd 3 out, led approaching 2 out, soon pushed along, clear at last, stayed on well run-in, comfortably, won at Naas 2m mdn Yielding in Jan beating Lethal Steps (11-7) by 5l, 24 ran.
Maze Runner (IRE) 10-1 (10-12) Waited with, slightly impeded 1st, 8th approaching halfway, slight mistakes 4th and 5th, impeded into straight, no impression when impeded last, one pace, 7th of 11, 19 1/4l behind Rocky Blue (10-12) at Leopardstown 2m (1) Good - Yielding in Dec.
