held up, soon towards rear, progress from 8th, moderate 7th approaching straight, some headway and slight mistake 2 out, soon switched right and one pace
held up, 11th before 4th, pushed along from 8th, soon no danger, tailed off
soon tracked leaders, slight mistake 3rd, 3rd before 4th, pushed along after 5th, weakened from before straight, tailed off
held up, 10th before 4th, slight mistake 5th, progress from 8th, moderate 5th approaching straight, chased leaders and not fluent last, kept on well without reaching winner run-in
held up, last before 4th where not fluent, slight mistake 5th, kept on without threatening straight
mid-division early, 8th before 4th, moderate 6th approaching straight, chased winner when pecked badly after last, one pace run-in and dropped to 4th near finish
soon chased leaders, 7th before 4th, moderate 3rd at 6th, weakened from before straight, completely tailed off
held up, 13th before 4th, progress straight, stayed on well without threaening run-in
soon chased leaders, 4th before 4th, moderate 2nd at 6th, closed and on terms approaching 8th, soon led, went on approaching straight, tired run-in but always looking likely to maintain advantage
soon chased leaders, 6th before 4th, slight mistake 5th, moderate 4th at 6th, no impression and not fluent 2 out, one pace
led, soon clear, reduced lead and joined approaching 8th, soon headed, weakened from before straight, pulled up before 2 out
held up, 14th before 4th, not fluent 7th, no impression from next, tailed off
held up, 15th before 4th where not fluent, slight mistake 5th, soon no danger, pulled up before 2 out
held up, 12th before 4th, progress 6th, chased leaders from 8th, moderate 2nd approaching straight, pushed along when mistake and unseated rider 3 out
reminder after 1st, soon mid-division, 9th before 4th, not fluent 3 out and one pace after, not fluent again at last
chased leaders, 5th before 4th, lost place 6th, pulled up after 8th
prominent, not fluent 3rd, 2nd before 4th, lost place 6th, pulled up after 8th
The veteran Smokey Joe Joe is much better known as a chaser these days but can revert to hurdles on a 23lb lower mark than over fences after his easy victory at Cork. Swingbridge is another on a lower mark over timber and he'll stay all day but Tornado Watch, who completed a hat-trick in 2016, has switched stables after racing in the UK and may need this. Glenabo Bridge ran out of steam over an extended 2m7f on heavy going at Fairyhouse but had earlier won over slightly shorter so he should have no problems with the trip while Rock On Barney was on a rare going day at Clonmel where he gained his first victory in 22 starts. PUMP ROAD (NAP) was having only his eighth start over timber when successful over 2m6f on heavy going at Tramore and, though up 6lb in this better race, there should be plenty more to come so he gets the nod.
Smokey Joe Joe (IRE) 9-1 (11-9) Held up, 8th from 6th, improved to dispute 3rd before straight, soon closed up travelling smoothly, led last, pushed out to assert run-in, stayed on well, comfortably, won at Cork 2m 4f hcp hvy in Jan beating Routes Choice (11-6) by 7 1/2l, 9 ran.
Tornado Watch (IRE) 5-1 (11-10) Behind, headway before 2 out, went 3rd before last, soon ridden to chase winner, kept on and held towards finish, 2nd of 9, 1 3/4l behind Champagne Chaser (11-10) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in Sep.
Lisclogher Lad (IRE) 4-1 (11-2) Led early, headed before 2nd, settled behind leaders, not fluent 3rd and 5th, 3rd halfway, mistake 6 out and ridden from next, no impression and weakened from 3 out, pulled up before next, at Limerick 2m 7f hcp hvy in Dec.
Swingbridge (IRE) 8-1 (11-5) Held up in rear, headway into 5th 3 out, ridden in 3rd 2 out, 4th at last, kept on same pace in 3rd close home, 3rd of 12, 11 1/2l behind Capture The Drama (10-5) at Fairyhouse 3m 1f hcp hvy in Jan.
Fruits Of Glory (IRE) 20-1 (9-12) In rear, some headway before 2 out, no impression approaching last, no extra, 9th of 13, 27 1/2l behind Returntovendor (10-13) at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp Soft - Heavy in Dec.
Chesterfield King (IRE) 9-1 (11-4) Chased leaders and mistake 1st, soon mid-division, ridden into 6th 3 out, no extra before next where mistake, weakened, 8th of 14, dist behind Stooshie (11-4) at Down Royal 2m mdn hvy in Dec.
The Comediologist 7-1 (11-12) Mid-division before improving to lead after 3rd, not fluent 6th, headed and dropped to 4th before 2 out, ridden and no impression from before last, kept on same pace run-in, 3rd of 13, 14 3/4l behind Shower Cross (11-12) at Limerick 2m 3f mdn hvy in Dec.
Carrigeen Acebo (IRE) 66-1 (10-7) Waited with behind leaders, no impression in last from 3 out, left 4th approaching 2 out, 4th of 5, 26 1/2l behind Admiral Brian (11-0) at Clonmel 3m Soft - Heavy in Dec.
Wee Small Hours (IRE) 10-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, closer in 8th 3 out, headway into 3rd and ridden before 2 out, no impression on leaders before last, kept on same pace, 3rd of 14, 9 1/4l behind Mystic Embarr (9-11) at Fairyhouse 2m 7f hcp hvy in Jan.
Glenabo Bridge (IRE) 7-2 (10-13) Tracked leader in 2nd, disputed lead from 2nd until headed 5th, disputed lead again 4 out, ridden and headed entering straight, soon no impression, 5th of 14, 30 1/4l behind Mystic Embarr (9-11) at Fairyhouse 2m 7f hcp hvy in Jan.
Black Ice (IRE) 25-1 (10-6) Mid-division early, no impression from 3 out, soon no extra, 22nd of 26, dist behind Sparky Stowaway (10-9) at Leopardstown 2m 2f hcp Yielding in Dec.
Irish Mustard 16-1 (9-10) Towards rear, progress to 8th after 8th, headway 4 out, ridden in 3rd approaching straight, 2nd before 2 out, ridden and no impression on winner after 2 out, kept on one pace, 2nd of 18, 14l behind Allez Kal (10-2) at Limerick 3m hcp hvy in Dec.
Pump Road (IRE) 8-1 (9-12) Held up towards rear, good progress on inner before 2 out, challenged 2 out, ridden and disputed before last, slight mistake last, led and kept on well run-in, won at Tramore 2m 5f hcp hvy in Jan beating Mlily (9-12) by 2 1/4l, 10 ran.
Rock On Barney (IRE) 8-1 (10-5) Held up, not fluent 6th and pushed along briefly in 7th, improved into 3rd before 3 out, 2nd into straight, led approaching 2 out, stayed on best from before last, won at Clonmel 2m 3f hcp hvy in Jan beating Coole Craft (10-11) by 2 3/4l, 10 ran.
Spancil Hill (IRE) 14-1 (9-10) Tracked leader, led after 7th, headed 4 out, led after 3 out, headed and weakened before 2 out, 6th of 18, 29 1/4l behind Allez Kal (10-2) at Limerick 3m hcp hvy in Dec.
Boston Babe (IRE) 40-1 (11-4) Always towards rear, ridden and no impression 4 out, weakened next, last of 17, dist behind Cubomania (11-10) at Down Royal 2m hcp hvy in Dec.
Pitore (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Mid-division early, 9th approaching halfway, under pressure approaching 4 out, soon weakened and pulled up before 2 out, at Ballinrobe 3m 1f hcp Yielding - Soft in Aug.
