chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden in 5th after 2 out, no extra before last
mid-division, closer in 4th before 3 out, ridden in 6th next, stayed on into 3rd before last, kept on one pace run-in
held up towards rear, fell 2 out
mid-division, slight mistake 2nd, closer 4 out, 2nd and pressed leader 2 out, soon disputed, ridden into narrow lead entering straight, strongly pressed before last, narrowly headed last, kept on without matching winner run-in
soon led, slight mistake 3 out, soon pressed, joined after next, ridden and headed entering straight, under pressure in 4th before last, kept on one pace
mid-division, closer 4 out, travelled well in 3rd after 2 out, ridden to challenge before last, narrow lead last, kept on well under pressure run-in
held up towards rear, ridden in 8th 2 out, no impression in 5th before last, kept on one pace
disputed briefly, soon chased leader, 2nd halfway, close up and slight mistake 5th, ridden in 4th after 2 out, no extra before last
held up in mid-division, towards rear halfway, 7th when mistake and unseated rider 3 out
Rookie handler Louise Lyons is on an upward curve and her Espion Du Chenet battled to a short-head victory here last week. However, he's been raised 8lb and is 3lb out of the handicap so this is much tougher. He started favourite when unseating his rider at the first in a race won by Jack Dillinger here in December but the latter jumped poorly on a return visit last month. Star Max has yet to win over fences but he's run some fair races and Rachael Blackmore may be able to get a tune out of him. CUSP OF CARABELLI hasn't won since scoring over 2m2f here in November 2019 but has been running in better class over further. His third place over this trip at Fairyhouse in December would put him right in the picture so he gets the nod. Charlie Stout is better class than these as he showed when landing a Grade B handicap at Fairyhouse last January but has a very long absence to overcome.
Charlie Stout (IRE) 8-1 (10-13) Mid-division, closer 7th and left 6th 2 out, soon ridden, 4th at last, switched left and briefly short of room after last, kept on under pressure in 3rd inside final furlong, 3rd of 15, 2 3/4l behind Eclair De Beaufeu (11-3) at Leopardstown 2m 1f hcp Yielding in Feb.
Goulane Chosen (IRE) 66-1 (11-1) Mid-division, slight mistakes 4th and 7th, ridden and dropped towards rear after 4 out, mistake 2 out and soon pulled up, at Leopardstown 2m 1f hcp sft in Feb.
Jack Dillinger (IRE) 12-1 (11-11) Towards rear, never a factor, slight mistake 5 out, pushed along and no impression when slight mistake 3 out, no threat in straight, kept on one pace, 6th of 12, dist behind Enjoy D'allen (11-7) at Thurles 2m 6f hcp Soft - Heavy in Jan.
Rocky's Silver (IRE) 18-1 (10-5) Waited with, slightly impeded 1st and in rear, impeded 4th, pushed along briefly approaching 7 out and some headway, slow jump 6 out, soon no danger and pulled up before 2 out, at Limerick 2m 4f hcp hvy in Dec.
Star Max (GER) 20-1 (11-12) Soon chased leaders, 6th after 2nd, effort straight, one pace from before last, 7th of 17, 12 3/4l behind Capilano Bridge (11-5) at Naas 2m hcp Soft - Heavy in Jan.
Cusp Of Carabelli (IRE) 12-1 (11-2) Short of room and bumped by rival soon after start, mid-division, no extra after 3 out, eased approaching last, 11th of 17, dist behind Uisce Beatha (10-13) at Leopardstown 2m 1f hcp Yielding in Dec.
My Manekineko 16-1 (12-0) Slowly away and off pace towards rear, no impression from 3 out, never a factor, 8th of 13, dist behind You Say Nothing (11-12) at Punchestown 2m hcp Soft - Heavy in Jan.
Allardyce 40-1 (11-1) Mid-division early, 8th after 5th, moderate 6th approaching straight and no impression, one pace, slight mistakes last 2, 7th of 14, 34 1/4l behind Minella Till Dawn (11-11) at Naas 2m 4f hcp sft in Feb.
Espion Du Chenet (FR) 10-1 (10-13) Soon chased leaders, 5th approaching halfway, closed in 3rd 4 out, 2nd from 3 out, travelling smoothly and on terms before straight, soon led, pushed along approaching last, stayed on well under pressure run-in, just held on, won at Thurles 2m hcp Soft - Heavy in Feb beating The Chapel Field (11-9) by shd, 13 ran.
Wolfofallstreets (IRE) 8-1 (12-0) Chased leaders, 6th halfway, pushed along after 3 out and no impression in 7th entering straight, soon weakened, eased final furlong, completely tailed off, 12th of 14, dist behind Duc D'Allier (12-0) at Fairyhouse 2m hvy in Jan.
