tracked leaders, progress to lead after 6th, 4 lengths clear when fell 2 out
tracked leader, mistake 6th, 3rd at 9th, 2nd after 4 out, left in front and hampered 2 out, soon joined and ridden, led run-in and kept on under pressure
tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden in 5th after 10th, weakened, pulled up before 4 out
chased leaders, mistake 2nd, pushed along in rear after 8th, no extra and pulled up before 10th
chased leaders, 5th halfway, no impression after 3 out, left moderate 3rd next, kept on one pace
always rear, mistake 5th, detached 5 out, completely tailed off
led, headed after 6th, 3rd 3 out, left 2nd next and soon disputed, under pressure and headed run-in, kept on one pace
Empire Of Dirt, a Listed winner over hurdles, was put in his place by Down Ace at Down Royal but the winner is thought good enough to contest the Grade 2 in the previous race. Like Kilcrea he's making his handicap debut but his overall form looks stronger than that of his rival and he should be capable of conceding him weight. BETTERTHANALRIGHT looks a different proposition, however, despite an 8lb rise for his first victory on his 18th start over fences here last month. Kevin Sexton again takes the ride and his claim can help steer Liam Casey's charge to doubling his winning tally. The Book Thief would be up to this at his best though a strike-rate of 1-32 over fences tempers enthusiasm.
Empire Of Dirt (IRE) 13-8fav (11-9) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, closer in 2nd 3 out, ridden before 2 out, no impression on winner before last, kept on one pace, 2nd of 10, 13l behind Down Ace (11-0) at Down Royal 2m 4f beg chs sft in Dec.
Kilcrea (IRE) 6-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, 6th after 7th, bad mistake 5 out, under pressure from next, moderate 7th 3 out, soon no impression, 4th of 8, 16l behind Sonny B (11-12) at Limerick 2m 6f beg chs in Dec.
Tinakellylad (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) Held up, slightly slow 3rd and reminder, reminder 9th, dropped to rear from 6 out, behind and eased 4 out, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by On The Way Out (11-1) at Limerick 2m 6f hcp chs gf in Jul, 11 ran.
Namarama (IRE) 25-1 (11-5) Always towards rear, ridden and no impression before 3 out, 11th of 14, 44l behind Gallant Oscar (11-9) at Navan 2m 7f hcp hdl 80-109 sft in Nov.
He Rock's (IRE) 28-1 (11-12) Disputed lead, headed and 2nd from 2nd, mistake 5 out, 4th 3 out, moderate 5th approaching straight, no extra, 7th of 12, 48l behind Dromnea (11-12) at Limerick 2m 1f beg chs in Dec.
Milan Breeze (IRE) 20-1 (10-13) Always towards rear, ridden after 3 out, soon no impression, never a factor, 8th of 9, 29l behind Leap Dearg (11-10) at Naas 2m hcp chs sft.
Betterthanalright (IRE) 12-1 (11-5) Led after 1st, made most, slight mistake 4 out, ridden to assert after 2 out, kept on well run-in, won at Thurles 3m hcp chs 0-102 hvy in Dec beating Its The Ice I Like (11-7) by 7l, 18 ran.
The Book Thief (IRE) 10-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, 4th at 3rd, slight mistake 9th and pushed along briefly, pushed along before 3 out where 6th, 7th 2 out, soon no impression, one pace, 7th of 10, 17l behind Treacy's Star (9-13) at Punchestown 2m 4f cnd hcp chs (0-109) sft.
