held up behind leaders in 3rd, ridden into 2nd before 2 out, no chance with winner, kept on same pace from before last
held up in 5th, 4th 3 out, ridden and no extra before 2 out, weakened and completely tailed off
made all, clear after 4th, slightly reduced advantage entering straight, jumped slightly right 2 out, drew clear from last, not extended
tracked leader in 2nd, pushed along to close entering straight, no extra in 3rd before 2 out, kept on one pace
held up in 4th, slight mistakes 1st and 5th, dropped to 5th 3 out, ridden and no extra before next, moderate 4th from 2 out
always rear, behind from 5 out, weakened and tailed off
Willie Mullins has won the last two and has three of the seven entries. Paul Townend has chosen GAELIC WARRIOR and his mount, beaten a short-head on his debut for the yard in the Fred Winter at Cheltenham in March, had little more than an exercise canter around Tramore last month and is currently near the head of the market for the Ballymore. Blue Sari went chasing last winter having failed to finish in his four previous starts over hurdles while Braganza was very highly tried after making a winning start for the yard at Thurles. Maidenstreetprince took advantage of heavy ground to score at Limerick while Weseekhimhere, a dual bumper winner, was returning from a long absence when making too many mistakes here on New Year's Eve.
Blue Sari (FR) 16-1 (11-12) Mid-division, mistake 4th, towards rear and slight mistake 6th, soon trailing and pulled up before next, at Punchestown 2m 5f hcp Good - Yielding in Apr.
The Priests Leap (IRE) 5-2fav (11-5) Chased leader, 2nd halfway, disputed after 3 out, close 2nd approaching 2 out, soon no extra and weakened from last, 3rd of 7, 21 1/2l behind Broomfield Hall (11-9) at Fairyhouse 2m sft in Nov.
Gaelic Warrior (GER) 1-12fav (11-12) Chased leader, led after 5th, extended advantage to 15 lengths 4 out, distance clear 2 out, very easily, won at Tramore 2m mdn sft in Dec beating Littel Flour (11-5) by dist, 10 ran.
Maidenstreetprince (IRE) 15-2 (11-4) Tracked leaders early, improved to lead after 4th, pushed along and not fluent 2 out, ridden from last and kept on well run-in, won at Limerick 2m mdn Soft - Heavy in Dec beating Sa Fureur (11-4) by 1 1/4l, 15 ran.
Braganza 20-1 (10-11) Rear, 6th halfway, slight mistake 4 out, weakened in 5th last (normal 2 out), never a factor, tailed off, 5th of 6, dist behind Shewearsitwell (10-11) at Leopardstown 2m 4f (1) sft in Dec.
Topothelane (IRE) 50-1 (11-12) Mid-division, headway before 5th and led halfway, headed early straight, dropped to 4th and fell 2 out, at Clonmel 2m 3f mdn sft in Mar.
Weseekhimhere (IRE) 33-1 (11-10) Rear of mid-division, 7th before 5th, no impression on principals before 7th, headway approaching straight, no extra in 5th before last where mistake, 5th of 10, 21 1/2l behind Saint Sam (11-6) at Punchestown 2m 4f Soft - Heavy in Dec.
