soon tracked leaders, 4th from 3rd, weakened approaching 2 out
waited with, 13th from 3rd, soon some headway, no impression approaching 2 out
waited with towards rear, slight mistake 4 out, slight mistake 3 out and no extra
chased leaders, 5th from 3rd, slight mistake 4th, bumped 3 out, soon not much room, slight mistake 2 out, kept on same pace from before last
waited with, 11th from 3rd, soon some headway, no impression before 2 out
close up, soon 3rd, disputed lead at times, slight mistake 6th, headed and slightly impeded last, one pace
mid-division early, 9th from 3rd, switched right after 3 out and closed up travelling smoothly, slight mistake 2 out, soon on terms, fell last
soon disputed lead, headed before last, one pace
mid-division early, 8th from 3rd, effort straight, kept on same pace from 2 out
mid-division early, some slight mistakes, 7th from 3rd, headway when mistake and bumped with rival 3 out, impeded last, kept on well without threatening run-in
chased leaders, slight mistake 3rd, soon raced in 6th, no extra after 2 out
waited with towards rear, kept on same pace straight
waited with towards rear, some headway but no impression approaching 2 out, kept on same pace without threatening
waited with, 14th from 3rd, closed from 4 out, effort straight, almost on terms and hit 2 out, one pace last
waited with, 12th from 3rd, slight mistake 6th, no impression approaching 2 out, soon weakened
soon disputed lead, slight mistake 2nd, headed approaching straight, no extra after 2 out
waited with, slight mistake 3rd, soon raced in 10th, impeded 3 out, soon headway and effort, kept on without matching winner from last
waited with towards rear, headway and effort straight, led from last, quickly asserted and stayed on well
J P McManus has six runners here with Mark Walsh choosing Pike County, an excellent third over track and trip in December and fit from the Flat. BYTHESAMETOKEN looked an improved performer at Tipperary and is still on a fair mark, especially with Simon Torrens' claim taken into consideration, so gets the nod but this looks a tough ask for the four-year-old Elite Trooper Grey despite an impressive victory at Cork. Mig Des Taillons is up 8lb for a narrow victory at Fairyhouse while Melly And Me ran very well on his reappearance at Galway. The consistent Pottlerath is another to consider from the foot of the handicap.
Bective Cave (IRE) 66-1 (10-5) Chased leaders, pushed along briefly approaching 4 out, soon lost place and under pressure, weakened, 12th of 17, dist behind Cayd Boy (11-2) at Down Royal 2m hcp sft in Oct.
Midnight Maestro 9-1 (11-4) Behind, ridden from 3 out, plugged on and never dangerous, 4th of 8, 25 1/2l behind Boldmere (11-1) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Kasakh Noir (FR) 66-1 (11-7) Led, ridden and headed after 3 out, soon weakened, 8th of 10, dist behind The Very Man (11-9) at Downpatrick 2m 3f Yielding in Mar.
Call A Cab (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Soon chased leaders, not fluent 1st, 4th at 8th, still chasing leaders when fell 2 out, at Roscommon 2m 5f hvy in Sep.
Spruced Up (IRE) 7-2 (11-3) Rear of mid-division, pushed along in 9th after 2 out, kept on one pace on inner straight, 7th of 13, 12 1/4l behind Wolfofallstreets (10-1) at Leopardstown 2m hcp sft in Mar.
Curious Times (IRE) 8-1 (10-1) Disputed lead early, raced on outer, headed 2nd, dropped to mid-division and no impression from 4 out, weakened, 11th of 14, dist behind Janidil (10-10) at Down Royal 2m hcp sft in Nov.
Pike County (IRE) 16-1 (9-13) Soon mid-division, a little keen, 10th approaching halfway, headway on outer from 4f out, effort to chase leaders straight, kept on same pace from under 2f out, 4th of 17, 6 1/2l behind Flor De La Luna (9-2) at Curragh 1m 4f mdn sft in Oct.
Wolfofallstreets (IRE) 14-1 (10-8) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, not fluent 3 out, pushed along and no extra before next, 9th of 11, dist behind Humaniste (11-1) at Tipperary 2m hcp gd in Oct.
Never Off Duty (IRE) 8-1 (11-5) Always behind, mistake at 3rd and soon lost touch and trailing, never involved thereafter, trailing when jumped left 2 out, 6th of 9, dist behind Allardyce (11-4) at Gowran Park 2m hcp hvy in Nov.
Elite Trooper Grey (IRE) 18-1 (10-5) Chased leaders, slightly slow 2nd, disputed 4th after 6th, on terms approaching straight travelling smoothly, not fluent 3 out, led between last 2, asserted before last and not fluent, stayed on well run-in, comfortably, won at Cork 2m 3f hcp gd in Oct beating Smithscorner (11-0) by 4l, 9 ran.
Melly And Me (IRE) 11-1 (10-11) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden in 5th after 2 out, stayed on to challenge on inner last, 2nd run-in and kept on same pace, 2nd of 10, 2l behind Jiving Jerry (9-13) at Galway 2m hcp sft in Oct.
King's Song (FR) 20-1 (9-12) Mid-division, ridden and no extra 3 out, 11th of 12, 30l behind Ellie Mac (10-4) at Punchestown 2m 7f hcp Yielding in Sep.
So Near So Farhh 22-1 (11-3) Held up towards rear, 8th halfway, ridden and no impression from 2 out, 7th of 12, 29 3/4l behind Dreal Deal (11-0) at Punchestown 2m 5f hcp Yielding - Soft in Oct.
Bythesametoken (IRE) 7-2fav (11-4) Mid-division early, moderate 7th from 4th, soon some headway, 4th from 3 out, 3rd approaching straight, squeezed for room approaching 2 out, challenged and led between last 2, quickly asserted and stayed on well, won at Tipperary 2m hcp Soft - Heavy in Oct beating Karen's Gift (11-13) by 6 1/2l, 11 ran.
Pairc Na Ngael (IRE) 14-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, a little keen, slight mistake and pushed along briefly 5th, 6th from 6th, pushed along again and dropped to rear approaching straight, soon no impression and weakened, 9th of 10, dist behind Linger (12-0) at Cork 2m 3f hcp Yielding in Oct.
Pottlerath (IRE) 7-1 (11-8) Led, joined 2 out, ridden and led again entering straight, headed approaching last, 3rd after last, kept on same pace, 3rd of 17, 2 1/2l behind Wait Here (11-10) at Punchestown 2m hcp Yielding in Oct.
Above The City (IRE) 50-1 (11-1) Soon mid-division, slight mistake 5th, kept on same pace from before straight, 9th of 18, 8 1/4l behind Rebel Gold (12-0) at Punchestown 2m 1f hcp gd in Sep.
Youngnedofthehill (IRE) 12-1 (10-7) Rear, 15th before 5th, headway after 3 out, 4th 2 out, ridden and no impression on leaders in 3rd before last, kept on without threatening run-in, 3rd of 16, 5 1/2l behind Mig Des Taillons (11-9) at Fairyhouse 2m hcp Yielding in Oct.
Mig Des Taillons (FR) 15-2 (11-9) Mid-division, 7th before 5th, headway after 5th, travelled well and on terms 2 out, led before last, driven out run-in, reduced advantage closing stages, won at Fairyhouse 2m hcp Yielding in Oct beating Bold Emperor (11-3) by 1l, 16 ran.
Callthebarman (IRE) 18-1 (11-2) Waited with, pushed along from 10th, soon no impression, 8th of 13, dist behind Mind's Eye (11-12) at Tipperary 2m 4f hcp Good - Yielding in Jul.
Champagne Paddy (IRE) 16-1 (11-5) Chased leader, 3rd after 4th, 4th 4 out, dropped to rear before 2 out, weakened and detached after 2 out, pulled up before last, at Kilbeggan 2m sft in Oct.
Crackaway (FR) 11-1 (11-4) Mid-division, 4th before 7th, not fluent at 9th, dropped to 5th and weakened before 2 out, 5th of 10, 27 1/4l behind Gibberwell (11-4) at Wexford 2m 4f mdn Soft - Heavy in Oct.
