chased leaders early, soon mid-division, ridden into 5th after 3 out, no extra before 2 out, weakened and pulled up before last
chased leaders, 4th halfway, closer in 2nd 3 out, ridden in 3rd entering straight, no extra before 2 out, weakened
mid-division, ridden and no extra after 3 out, weakened, pulled up before last
disputed, led from 2nd, 5-length advantage halfway, joined entering straight, ridden and 2-length advantage 2 out, steadied and slow last, tired run-in and headed at line
held up towards rear, mistake 2nd, progress 3 out, ridden in 7th after 3 out, moderate 5th 2 out, no extra
mid-division early, towards rear halfway, ridden and weakened 4 out, pulled up before 2 out
chased leaders, slight mistake 4th, 6th halfway, closer in 3rd 3 out, ridden and no extra entering straight, weakened before 2 out, pulled up before last
held up towards rear early, mid-division halfway, ridden and no impression after 3 out
held up towards rear, progress on outer into 6th and slight mistake 3 out, challenged before straight, ridden and disputed before 2 out, headed 2 out, drifted left before last, jumped right and slight mistake last but closer, kept on run-in to lead line
led and disputed, headed 2nd, 5th halfway, ridden and weakened 6 out, completely tailed off
mid-division, 6th and mistake 6 out, ridden in 5th entering straight, no impression in 3rd and slight mistake 2 out, kept on one pace
chased leader, mistake 5th, 2nd halfway, slight mistakes 7th and 8th, 5th and slight mistake 3 out, soon weakened, pulled up before last
chased leaders early, soon mid-division, ridden and no extra 4 out, weakened after next, pulled up before last
always towards rear, ridden and no extra 5 out, weakened and completely tailed off, virtually pulled up run-in
chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden and weakened quickly before 3 out, pulled up before 2 out
mid-division best, ridden and no extra after 3 out, weakened, pulled up before last
Ballea Fox signalled an imminent victory when runner-up at Thurles and duly obliged over this trip on heavy ground at Punchestown for which a 4lb rise appears unlikely to prevent another big effort. However, ASK MARY, who was beaten less than a length into third, will be 2lb better off and is taken to reverse the form. Rubiana was beaten a long way into second at Limerick but Fourina was staying on strongly over 2m4f at Punchestown and runner-up Moll Date could boost the form in the previous race. High Viz has never tackled this trip over hurdles but was going on at the finish over 2m5f at Limerick while winning chaser Duhallow Paddy reverts to hurdles on a 7lb lower mark.
Exciting Oscar (IRE) 16-1 (10-13) Held up, ridden after 4 out, no extra 3 out, weakened before next, 8th of 9, dist behind Punitive (11-12) at Navan 2m 4f hcp Soft - Heavy in Jan.
Ballea Fox 5-1 (11-1) Mid-division, closer in 5th 4 out, 5th 2 out, ridden in 2nd entering straight, headway to lead approaching last, strongly pressed inside final furlong, stayed on well, all out, won at Punchestown 3m hcp hvy in Feb beating Ice Cool (11-2) by 1/2l, 13 ran.
Berkerys Enigma (IRE) 100-1 (11-12) Soon mid-division, no impression 3 out, soon no extra, 11th of 18, dist behind Column Of Fire (11-12) at Punchestown 2m 4f mdn Soft - Heavy in Jan.
Ask Mary (IRE) 7-2 (11-2) Led and disputed, mistake 3 out, led from 2 out, ridden entering straight, headed approaching last, disputed 2nd at last, stayed on well to strongly press winner, 3rd and no extra near line, 3rd of 13, 1/2l behind Ballea Fox (11-1) at Punchestown 3m hcp hvy in Feb.
Desert Maid (IRE) 50-1 (11-4) In rear, no impression from 3f out, never a factor, 15th of 21, dist behind Yukon Lil (11-7) at Naas 2m mdn sft in Dec.
Fourina (IRE) 13-2 (11-7) Mid-division, 9th 3 out, ridden in 7th 2 out, no impression in 4th at last, kept on under pressure in 3rd inside final furlong, 3rd of 16, 1 1/2l behind Stoughan Cross (10-11) at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp hvy in Feb.
High Viz (IRE) 10-1 (10-10) Mid-division, 6th after 7th, closed up approaching straight, soon on terms, headed before 2 out, soon no impression, slight mistake last, ran on without threatening on inner run-in, just failed for 2nd, 3rd of 13, 4 1/2l behind Difficult Decision (11-11) at Limerick 2m 5f hcp Soft - Heavy in Jan.
Railway Tommy (IRE) 40-1 (11-2) Always towards rear, never a factor, 12th of 13, 36 3/4l behind Ballea Fox (11-1) at Punchestown 3m hcp hvy in Feb.
More Music (IRE) 100-1 (11-4) Rear of mid-division on outer, ridden and no extra after 3 out, 9th of 15, dist behind Owenacurra Lass (11-5) at Tramore 2m 5f mdn sft in Jan.
Rubiana (IRE) 33-1 (11-2) Soon chased leaders, slight mistake 6th, 6th from 9th, slight mistake 4 out, moderate 3rd from next, closed approaching straight, soon chased winner and no impression, one pace, just prevailed for 2nd, 2nd of 14, 27l behind Currig's Girl (10-13) at Limerick 3m hcp Soft - Heavy in Jan.
Memory Of Youth (IRE) 14-1 (11-1) Tracked leaders on inner, mid-division halfway, pushed along after 4 out, headway to dispute lead entering straight, ridden and headed approaching last where blundered, no extra, 5th of 15, 12 1/2l behind Grey Habit (10-11) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f hcp hvy in Jan.
Justice Jim (IRE) 50-1 (10-10) Tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, weakened, 10th of 13, 18 3/4l behind Ballea Fox (11-1) at Punchestown 3m hcp hvy in Feb.
Cadawill (IRE) 10-1 (10-7) Towards rear, pushed along and no impression after 8th, moderate 9th approaching 2 out, kept on one pace, never a factor, 7th of 14, 19 1/4l behind Ahgetawayoutadat (10-11) at Thurles 2m 7f hcp Yielding in Jan.
Elusive Exclusive (IRE) 66-1 (10-4) Chased leaders early, 11th after 7th, towards rear and pushed along 4 out, no impression before straight, kept on same pace without threatening, 6th of 13, 14l behind Difficult Decision (11-11) at Limerick 2m 5f hcp Soft - Heavy in Jan.
I Will Walk (IRE) 16-1 (10-11) Raced in 13th early, 10th from 6th, closer in 7th and headway approaching straight, one pace and slight mistake 2 out, 5th of 18, 23 1/2l behind Cahirdown Boy (11-7) at Thurles 2m 7f hcp Good - Yielding in Feb.
Colonel Lesley (IRE) 66-1 (10-12) Rear of mid-division, no impression from 4 out, never a factor, 11th of 14, dist behind Cerberus (10-12) at Fairyhouse 2m mdn hvy in Nov.
Duhallow Paddy (IRE) 4-1fav (11-3) Held up in mid-division, 8th and slight mistake 4 out, ridden and no impression before next, soon no extra, 8th of 16, dist behind Ask And Answer (11-7) at Navan 3m hcp Soft - Heavy in Jan.
