soon mid-division, slight mistake 5th, soon towards rear, no extra approaching straight, tailed off
soon towards rear, detached when mistake and unseated rider 4 out
soon chased leaders, closer order approaching 4 out, dropped to moderate 6th 3 out, soon no extra
prominent, on terms 8th, mistake and collided with rival 5 out where left in front, pushed along approaching straight, joined 3 out, just headed last, rallied run-in, kept on same pace close home
soon led, joined 8th, bumped and fell 5 out
soon towards rear, reminder 2nd, pushed along 4th, dropped behind and pulled up after next
soon mid-division, improved to track leaders before 7th, dropped to moderate 4th 3 out, soon no impression, kept on same pace
soon towards rear, improved from before 7th, slightly hampered 5 out, dropped to moderate 5th 3 out, soon no impression, kept on one pace
held up, closer order 4 out, dropped to moderate 3rd 3 out, soon no impression, kept on one pace
chased leaders, closer order approaching 4 out, challenged and on terms from 3 out, gained narrow lead last, stayed on well run-in
Popcorn beat the useful Ratlin on his chasing debut at Thurles in November 2011 but hasn't been seen since trailing home the following month. Fitness is never a problem for one of Willie Mullins' so a big run is anticipated. Fever Pitch arrived in winning form for this a year ago and was only beaten a head by Rich Revival. He's on exactly the same mark and has to be considered. SHE'S GOT GRIT has come out of the point-to-point field in great style and, though receiving a 5lb hike for last month's Fairyhouse victory, she looks capable of more progress and can complete the double. Sole Witness is just 2lb higher than his victory here a couple of years ago and, though unsuccessful since, there was a sign of better to come at Punchestown last month.
Lion Na Bearnai (IRE) 16-1 (10-6) Always prominent, 2nd 3 out, ridden in 2nd 2 out, led before last, mistake at last, headed early run-in and soon no extra, 5th of 24, 4l behind Followmeuptocarlow (11-11) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f hcp hdl 80-116 in Nov.
Popcorn (FR) 11-10fav (11-8) Chased leader, hampered 5th, 3rd halfway, ridden in 4th 3 out, no extra before next, eased after last, last of 6, 46l behind Foildubh (11-2) at Navan 2m 1f nov chs in Dec '11.
Sumkindasuprstar (IRE) 50-1 (10-1) Led early, prominent, slow jump 10th, 5th approaching 2 out, no extra into straight, 15th of 28, well behind Rockyaboya (10-3) at Leopardstown 3m hcp chs 0-145 sft in Dec.
Orpheus Valley (IRE) 10-1 (11-5) Towards rear, brought down 6th, in a race won by Playing (10-13) at Cork 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 hvy, 11 ran.
Sole Witness (IRE) 14-1 (10-12) Led and disputed early, 2nd from 5th, ridden 4 out, no impression leader 2 out, disputed 3rd last, 4th run-in, 4th of 16, 14l behind Daring Article (10-3) at Punchestown 2m 6f hcp chs in Dec.
Shinrock Paddy (IRE) 14-1 (10-13) Tracked leaders early, not jump fluently, dropped towards rear and pushed along before 6th, mistake 7th, under pressure and kept on one pace in straight, 15th of 21, well behind Courage (10-1) at Leopardstown 3m hcp hdl sft in Dec.
Barneys Honour (IRE) 9-1 (11-8) Held up towards rear, no impression from 3 out, never a factor, 8th of 12, 34l behind Gilgamboa (11-0) at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp hdl hvy in Dec.
Carrig Millie (IRE) 33-1 (10-2) Soon rear of mid-division, no impression and kept on same pace from 2 out, 12th of 28, 43l behind Rockyaboya (10-3) at Leopardstown 3m hcp chs 0-145 sft in Dec.
The Shepherd King (IRE) 25-1 (10-2) Soon towards rear, never a factor, tailed off, 22nd of 28, well behind Rockyaboya (10-3) at Leopardstown 3m hcp chs 0-145 sft in Dec.
She's Got Grit (IRE) 7-1 (9-10) Slight mistake 1st, tracked leaders in 4th, progress approaching straight and led 2 out, ridden and challenged last, kept on well under pressure run-in, won at Fairyhouse 2m 4f hcp chs in Dec beating Fantastic Gold (10-12) by 2 1/4l, 9 ran.
Fever Pitch (IRE) 11-2 (10-4) Chased leaders early, mid-division halfway, ridden towards rear and no impression 4 out, kept on one pace straight, 7th of 16, 30l behind Daring Article (10-3) at Punchestown 2m 6f hcp chs in Dec.
