chased clear leader, 5th halfway, hampered 4 out, headway in 3rd approaching straight, soon 2nd and closed approaching last, kept on under pressure run-in without reaching winner, no impression closing stages
chased clear leader, moderate 6th halfway, slightly hampered 4 out, no threat from 2 out
towards rear, some headway after halfway, no extra from 2 out
chased clear leader in 2nd, fell 4 out
never a factor, kept on one pace
rear of mid-division, never a factor, tailed off
led and soon well clear, mistake 3rd, reduced advantage when mistake 2 out, headed entering straight, soon no extra and weakened
chased clear leader, moderate 4th halfway, weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off
mid-division, no threat from 3 out, tailed off
towards rear, never a factor, kept on in straight without threatening
always towards rear, never a factor, tailed off
chased clear leader, moderate 8th halfway, 5th after 2 out, no impression in straight and kept on one pace
chased clear leader, 3rd halfway, closed in 2nd before 2 out, led entering straight and soon ridden, kept on under pressure run-in
chased clear leader, 7th halfway, moderate 4th entering straight, kept on one pace without troubling first 2
always towards rear, completely tailed off
mid-division, 10th halfway, never a factor, moderate 9th entering straight, kept on without troubling leaders
always behind, tailed off
ALLURE OF ILLUSION was third in a Grade 2 bumper at Aintree last April having won his only previous start at Killarney eight months earlier. Clearly capable of going well fresh, he's a half-brother to smart hurdlers Blackstairmountain and Imperial Hills so should thrive now going jumping and looks the one to beat today. Joxer already has decent form over timber under his belt, running Midnight Game to half-a-length at Leopardstown on Boxing Day, and should be winning soon but Thouva makes his debut for Noel Meade and has his first start since winning a bumper in the French Provinces last August. Rory O'Moore, second to Don Cossack in a Grade 2 bumper at Navan last month, is another interesting recruit to hurdling while newcomer Undone could be worth noting for future reference.
Allure Of Illusion (IRE) 9-2 (11-4) Mid-division, headway over 4f out, ridden and hung left from 3f out, every chance 1f out, not pace of leaders inside final furlong, 3rd of 20, 10l behind Steps To Freedom (11-4) at Aintree 2m 1f nat hunt flat Grade 2 (1) gd in Apr.
Carlos Fandango (IRE) 18-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, improved to be on terms approaching straight, headed over 2f out, soon no impression, 5th of 10, 19l behind Pride Ofthe Parish (12-0) at Limerick 2m 2f N H flat hvy in Dec.
Cometotheboardroom (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) In touch towards rear, moderate 5th approaching 4 out, no extra after 3 out, last of 6, well behind Casa Jove (11-12) at Tramore 2m nh nov hdl sft in Dec.
Downthescad (IRE) 100-1 (10-13) Led before 2nd, ridden and headed before 2 out, weakened before last, 6th of 8, well behind Felix Yonger (11-12) at Downpatrick 2m 2f mdn hdl in Dec.
Go Paddy Go (IRE) Flemensfirth gelding out of Blue Bouquet.
Quinfromcloonbunny (IRE) 9-10fav (12-0) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden in 3rd 1 1/2f out, stayed on to lead 1f out, kept on strongly final furlong to go clear, won at Listowel 2m 5yo nhf gd in Sep '09 beating Bright Side Oflife (11-11) by 7l, 16 ran.
Rory O'Moore (IRE) 25-1 (12-0) Attempted to make all and soon sent into clear lead, more than 1/2 furlong clear at halfway, huge lead entering straight, soon ridden, strongly pressed from 1 1/2f out, kept on final furlong, headed close home, 2nd of 7, 1 1/2l behind Don Cossack (11-11) at Navan 2m nat hunt flat Grade 2 (1) hvy in Dec.
The Boat People (IRE) 12-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, 2nd approaching 2 out where struggling when not fluent, no extra, 5th of 9, 18l behind Sacre Malta (11-4) at Tramore 2m 5f mdn hdl sft in Dec.
Vapiano (IRE) 16-1 (11-12) Always towards rear, lost touch from 3 out, tailed off, last of 8, well behind Star Neuville (11-5) at Leopardstown 2m 4f mdn hdl sft in Dec.
Academy Coolbawn (FR) 33-1 (11-4) Towards rear, no danger and kept on from 3 out, 8th of 13, 27l behind Pass The Hat (11-4) at Tramore 2m mdn hdl hvy.
Articular (IRE) 10-1 (11-7) Mid-division, no extra from 3 out, weakened, virtually pulled up run-in, completely tailed off, 16th of 18, well behind Corbally Ghost (11-7) at Punchestown 2m 4f 4yo mdn hdl sft in Nov.
Fine Presentation (IRE) 50-1 (11-2) Always behind, completely tailed off, 13th of 17, well behind Make Your Mark (11-7) at Leopardstown 2m 4f 4yo mdn hdl gd in Dec.
Joxer (IRE) 5-1 (11-7) Always prominent, 3rd halfway, went 2nd before 2 out, led approaching last, soon strongly pressed and headed run-in, kept on under pressure but not quite match winner, 2nd of 16, 1/2l behind Midnight Game (11-7) at Leopardstown 2m 4yo mdn hdl sft in Dec.
Thouva (FR) (9-13) won at Moulins(FR) 1m 6f mdn nhf gd in Aug beating Tamara Conti (10-4) by shd, 10 ran.
Undone Kayf Tara gelding out of Squaw Talk.
Petite Cliche (IRE) Classic Cliche mare out of Gallaher's Sister.
Dressedtothenines (IRE) Oscar mare out of Regal Holly.
Johnston's Best (IRE) 66-1 (10-5) Always towards rear, 15th of 20, well behind The Bull Hayes (11-10) at Leopardstown 2m mdn hdl sft in Jan '11.
