settled in mid-division, 6th halfway, ridden in 4th approaching straight, went 2nd but no real impression on winner last, dropped to 3rd run-in
chased leaders, mistake 6th, 7th halfway, ridden before 4 out and no threat approaching straight
always rear, mistake 6 out, badly hampered 4 out and soon pulled up
tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden entering straight and no impression in 4th before last, no extra
always towards rear, no threat after 3 out, kept on one pace
prominent and led after 4th, ridden and headed entering straight, no impression in 3rd before last, no extra
tracked leaders, mistake 1st, 5th halfway, ridden after 3 out and no impression in moderate 5th approaching last, kept on well under pressure run-in, not reach winner
led, slight mistake 1st and slow 3rd, headed after 4th but remained prominent, led again entering straight and asserted after 2 out, kept on under pressure run-in, held on
tracked leaders on outer, 4th halfway, fell 4 out
Jody McGarvey gave TAKE A SHOT a superb ride at Down Royal on Boxing Day and the combination can follow up as a 6lb rise isn't excessive. Runner-up Popaflora should get closer on the revised terms but the winner had a bit in hand and should confirm the form. Yeoman has won once in 19 starts over fences and is now on his highest ever mark following his second place behind Ponmeword at Limerick while Torremuelle has an even worse strike-rate though he almost doubled his winning tally at Tramore on New Year's Eve and looks the main threat if able to repeat.
Take A Shot (IRE) 6-1 (11-5) Settled towards rear, headway approaching straight and ridden to go 2nd 3 out, led before next and kept on under pressure run-in, won at Down Royal 2m 4f hcp chs 0-95 hvy in Dec beating Popaflora (10-3) by 1 1/2l, 11 ran.
Yeoman (FR) 8-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, a bit slow 3rd, lost place a bit 6 out, 4th into straight, 3rd and no impression 2 out, kept on, 2nd of 10, 6l behind Ponmeword (10-6) at Limerick 2m 3f hcp chs 0-109 hvy in Dec.
Nivek's Dream (IRE) 9-1 (11-5) Towards rear when fell 3rd, in a race won by Take A Shot (11-5) at Down Royal 2m 4f hcp chs 0-95 hvy in Dec, 11 ran.
Noble Commander (IRE) 12-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, 8th 4 out, soon ridden and no impression, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Robertstown Rover (9-5) at Fairyhouse 2m 5f hcp chs 0-102 sft in Dec, 16 ran.
Royalor (FR) 66-1 (11-5) Always towards rear, 9th of 12, well behind Lord Windermere (11-12) at Leopardstown 2m 3f beg chs sft in Dec.
Torremuelle (IRE) 16-1 (9-8) Soon tracked leaders, close up in 2nd after 3 out, struggling to get to winner when left with a chance last, kept on well and every chance run-in, just denied, 2nd of 8, ns behind Count Salazar (11-4) at Tramore 2m 5f hcp chs 0-109 hvy in Dec.
Letterlee Star (IRE) 16-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, weakened rapidly from 6th, pulled up before next, in a race won by Lady Olwyn (11-11) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f hcp hdl 80-102 sft in Nov, 13 ran.
Popaflora 12-1 (10-3) Led, headed before 7th but remained prominent, disputed again approaching straight, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, kept on under pressure but no impression on winner run-in, 2nd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Take A Shot (11-5) at Down Royal 2m 4f hcp chs 0-95 hvy in Dec.
Star Of Hollywood (IRE) 16-1 (9-11) Tracked leaders, lost place and no extra 6 out, pulled up after 3 out, in a race won by Preswell Lad (10-12) at Tramore 2m 5f hcp chs 0-95 hvy, 12 ran.
