tracked leaders, 5th 4 out, smooth headway to lead after 2 out, ridden and kept on well run-in
led, mistake and headed 4 out, ridden entering straight, no extra from 2 out, weakened
chased leaders, 7th 4 out, ridden along 2 out and no impression before last, kept on same pace run-in without troubling principals
tracked leaders in 4th, 6th 4 out, ridden and no extra approaching 2 out, weakened
held up towards rear, headway to track leaders 2 out, went 2nd before last, ridden and no impression on winner run-in
tracked leaders in 3rd, 2nd 3 out, no extra approaching next, weakened
held up towards rear, good headway on outer approaching 2 out, ridden and no impression in 6th before last, kept on one pace
settled in mid-division, headway on outer to challenge 2 out where mistake, soon ridden and no impression in 3rd at last, kept on one pace run-in
tracked leaders, 4th 4 out, ridden and no impression in 5th before last, kept on one pace
tracked leader in 2nd, led 4 out, strongly pressed and headed after 2 out, soon no impression, no extra run-in
always towards rear, never a factor
I Hear A Symphony won this a year ago but is 6lb higher and badly out of form. Regal D'Estruval won a novice chase easily at Tramore and did even better when runner-up to Sweeps Hill in a Grade 3 at Galway. He makes his handicap debut and must be considered but Cottage Oak scored over 3m at Perth in August and would appear to need further. JUST FRIENDS made a winning debut over fences at Thurles in January before a very good run in a tough Gowran handicap. He'll be better for his comeback in a Grade 3 at Limerick and gets the vote here. Jigalo continues to run well without winning and has scored only once in 18 starts over fences and though Francis Du Mesnil is very consistent his strike-rate is even worse.
I Hear A Symphony (IRE) 25-1 (11-6) Soon led, headed from 5th, prominent, lost place approaching 2 out, soon weakened, 12th of 20, well behind Viaduct Joey (10-12) at Galway 2m 6f hcp hdl 8Evens23 hvy in Oct.
Regal D'estruval (FR) 9-2 (11-1) Led, clear for much, got in close 5 out, reduced lead 2 out, strongly pressed from before straight, headed and no extra from under 1f out, kept on same pace, 2nd of 6, 6l behind Sweeps Hill (11-1) at Galway 2m 1f nov chs (1) hvy in Oct.
Cottage Oak (IRE) 8-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, slight mistake 6 out, ridden in 5th after 3 out, no impression and kept on same pace from before straight, 5th of 6, 34l behind Gala Dancer (11-5) at Clonmel 3m nov chs gd in Sep.
Just Friends (IRE) 6-1 (11-1) Keen hold, held up, mistake 3rd, no impression and kept on same pace from before straight, last of 4, 12l behind West With The Wind (11-8) at Limerick 2m 1f chs Grd 3 (1) in Oct.
Jigalo (IRE) 9-2 (11-1) Settled in 3rd, went 2nd 2 out, no chance with winner run-in, kept on same pace, 2nd of 3, 4 1/2l behind Noble Prince (11-10) at Naas 2m chs Grade 3 (1) hvy in Oct.
Mighty Massini (IRE) 33-1 (10-5) Led, headed after 8th, led again 6 out, ridden and headed 2 out, weakened before last, 5th of 10, 12l behind Watch My Back (11-6) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp chs (2) gd in Apr.
Moville (IRE) 25-1 (11-5) Held up in last, jumped into 5th 4 out, pushed along in 4th and no impression entering straight, kept on one pace to 3rd close home, 3rd of 6, 17l behind Pittoni (11-12) at Naas 2m 3f hdl in Oct.
Banna Man (IRE) 16-1 (11-1) Well off pace towards rear, headway after 4 out, went poor 2nd and no impression from 2 out, kept on same pace, 2nd of 13, 8l behind Catch The Moment (10-12) at Cork 2m hcp hdl 80-116 in Oct.
Francis Du Mesnil (FR) 10-3fav (10-6) Waited with towards rear, 8th approaching straight, kept on same pace under pressure from before last, 6th of 11, 5l behind Mahrajaan (10-12) at Gowran Park 2m 2f hcp chs gd in Sep.
Pink Suitcase (IRE) 33-1 (10-11) Prominent, 2nd halfway, blundered 7th, weakening when pulled up before 5 out, in a race won by Burnt Oil Babe (10-7) at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 in Oct, 17 ran.
Flag Of Honour (IRE) 12-1 (11-7) Held up, progress into 6th 3 out, ridden and no impression from next, 6th of 14, 23l behind Rakamasi (9-11) at Naas 2m hcp chs 0-109 in Jan.
