prominent, keen hold early, dropped to 4th under pressure 2 out, soon no impression and kept on same pace
tracked leaders, weakened 3 out, soon behind, pulled up before next
awkward jump 1st, keen hold, soon led and disputed, headed and ridden from 4 out, no extra approaching straight
rear of mid-division, 7th before 4 out, no extra approaching straight
towards rear, good progress to track leaders 3 out, 3rd under pressure next, soon no impression and kept on same pace
mid-division, 7th approaching 5th, no danger and kept on same pace without threatening from after 3 out
tracked leaders, dropped to moderate 6th into straight, no impression under pressure and kept on same pace without threatening from after 2 out
always behind, tailed off
tracked leaders, closer in 3rd into straight, 2nd 2 out, no impression under pressure and kept on same pace from before last
soon close up, led from 4 out, stayed on best under pressure from before last
held up, progress into moderate 5th into straight, ridden and closed 2 out, no extra from before last
mid-division best, no extra 3 out, tailed off
Lucky Spring was runner-up in this in 2008 and after a long break showed some promise on the Flat at Sligo in September. Jacks Island usually runs well here, isn't badly handicapped, and will be better for his recent return to action. Quartetto won a chase here in February and a good run on the level at Navan last month suggests reverting to hurdles won't be a problem while Harold's Cross hasn't had much racing and is the type to improve. Karkari was left clear when his only serious challenger fell at the last in a Downpatrick maiden and is now 11lb higher than when beaten in a Tramore handicap in August. BINOCULAR has been running very well without quite getting there and two recent efforts behind Jack Cool would probably be good enough for this despite him climbing the weights.
Binocular 7-1 (10-9) Always prominent, 3rd halfway, improved to lead 2 out, soon ridden and kept on, joined at last, no extra under pressure and headed run-in, 3rd of 15, 1l behind Jack Cool (10-7) at Gowran Park 2m hcp hdl 8Evens23 in Oct.
Karkari (IRE) 9-10fav (11-4) Chased leaders, 6th halfway, headway into 2nd 4 out, travelled well from 2 out, challenged and left in lead last, ridden and kept on well run-in, won at Downpatrick 2m 2f 4yo mdn hdl gd in Oct beating Black Rock Lake (10-13) by 12l, 15 ran.
Quartetto (GER) 25-1 (9-7) Always towards rear, 15th of 23, well behind Coolcashin (10-9) at Punchestown 3m 1f hcp chs 0-145 gd in Apr.
Soldier Bay 8-1 (11-8) Mid-division, 6th approaching 4 out, no extra from next, 7th of 13, well behind Gala Dancer (11-4) at Fairyhouse 2m 2f mdn hdl gf in Oct.
Lucky Spring (IRE) 10-1 (11-2) Led, soon clear, mistakes 2nd and 6th, joined when slight mistake 3 out, headed and no extra from after 2 out, 8th of 16, 11l behind Wicklow Lad (10-6) at Tramore 2m hcp hdl 0-109 gd in Apr '09.
Ghareer (IRE) 20-1 (10-5) Never a factor, 14th of 19, 39l behind Cabin Point (11-2) at Gowran Park 2m hcp hdl 88-130 gd in Jun '09.
Masked Phantom (IRE) 25-1 (11-8) Chased leaders, 8th halfway, ridden in 7th 2 out, no extra in 5th entering straight, kept on one pace, 4th of 22, 20l behind Seafield (11-12) at Punchestown 2m mdn hdl in Oct.
Royale Knight 50-1 (11-0) Mid-division, 10th halfway, headway to 7th before 3 out, ridden into 5th 2 out, soon no extra and kept on same pace, 5th of 19, 11l behind Jim Bowie (11-12) at Gowran Park 2m 4f mdn hdl in Mar.
Harold's Cross (AUS) 6-1 (10-8) Rear of mid-division, ridden in 9th after 2 out, some late headway run-in, 7th of 13, 7l behind Turner Brown (11-7) at Punchestown 2m hcp hdl 80-109 gd in Oct.
Jacks Island (IRE) 8-1 (9-13) Mid-division, 8th 4 out, no impression from next, 10th of 17, well behind Whiskey Hall (10-2) at Clonmel 3m hcp hdl 8Evens09 in Oct.
Bay Of Kotor (IRE) 33-1 (9-10) Mid-division, ridden in 6th 2 out, no impression, 8th of 13, 8l behind Turner Brown (11-7) at Punchestown 2m hcp hdl 80-109 gd in Oct.
The Kiddo (IRE) 20-1 (10-9) Mid-division best, no impression in moderate 10th approaching straight, 10th of 18, 27l behind Fiery Oscar (11-1) at Clonmel 2m hcp hdl 80-95 sft in Oct '09.
Royal Rhythm (IRE) 15-2 (10-8) Rear of mid-division, no impression from 3 out, 11th of 18, 29l behind Ach Aye Surely (11-2) at Limerick 2m hcp hdl 8Evens16 gd in May.
