led after 3f, ridden and headed 2f out, soon weakened
led, headed after 3f, 2nd halfway, weakened over 4f out, tailed off
mid-division, 8th halfway, headway into 6th entering straight, ridden and no extra 2f out, kept on one pace
held up towards rear, headway into 5th entering straight, ridden to challenge 2f out, led 1 1/2f out, strongly pressed over 1f out, headed final 150 yards, no extra and kept on same pace
held up towards rear early, 7th halfway, headway into 4th 4f out, ridden and no extra entering straight
tracked leaders, 6th halfway, headway in 4th entering straight, challenged travelling well over 1f out, pushed out to lead final 150 yards, comfortably
finish position 10
chased leaders, 5th halfway, headway into 3rd 3f out, ridden 2f out, no extra in 4th 1 1/2f out, kept on one pace
held up towards rear, ridden into moderate 7th 2f out, no impression and kept on one pace
chased leaders, 3rd halfway, headway into 2nd 4f out, ridden to lead 2f out, headed 1 1/2f out, kept on same pace in 3rd from over 1f out
always towards rear, weakened 6f out, completely tailed off
chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden and weakened 3f out
Mickelson is comfortably the pick of those with experience in this sphere though he's undoubtedly suffered on testing ground since a very promising debut in fast conditions last May. Tico won a point at Kilsheelan in October but Roumanian hasn't been seen since runner-up in a small field at Belclare last May. Willie Mullins is always the man to fear in these contests and appears to have found a nice opportunity for LOVETHEHIGHERLAW, who started odds-on for a maiden at Bandon last February and duly obliged though he didn't have too much to do in a weak contest.
Jack The Hat (IRE) 20-1 (11-11) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, 2nd 4f out, no extra approaching straight and weakened quickly, 9th of 11, well behind Star Neuville (11-4) at Leopardstown 2m NH flat in Dec.
Little Big Chief (IRE) 16-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders on wide outside, weakened from 6f out, 13th of 16, 37l behind Pretty Valira (11-9) at Clonmel 2m N H flat gf in Jun '09.
Tico (IRE) 2-1 (12-0) Ww mid div, 7th 6out, smooth prog 3out, led bef last, easily, won at Kilsheelan 3m ire ptp gd in Oct beating Mo Chapall Glas (12-0) by 3l, 14 ran.
Caolaneoin (IRE) King's Theatre gelding out of Queen Plaisir.
First Impressions (IRE) 33-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, no extra approaching straight, weakened over 2f out, 7th of 9, 49l behind Bog Warrior (12-0) at Fairyhouse 2m N H flat.
Lovethehigherlaw (IRE) 4-6 (11-7) Ld/disp, 2nd from 3out & rddn in 2l 2bd bef last, closing when faster jump & ld last, so best, won at Bandon 2m ire ptp in Feb beating Cliff Climber (11-7) by 1l, 5 ran.
Roumanian (IRE) 5-1 (11-7) Ww, keen, ld from 6th, chall bef last & disp, no ex late, kow, 2nd of 6, nk behind Ipsos Du Berlais (11-7) at Belclare 3m ire ptp gd in Mar.
Wither Hills (IRE) 7-1 (11-4) Mid-division, 11th halfway, ridden and no extra 4f out, 11th of 13, 42l behind Bayross (11-7) at Down Royal 2m N H flat sft in Nov.
Macks Mist (IRE) Convinced mare out of Spey Cast.
Sean Og Katy (IRE) 14-1 (11-2) Mid-division, no impression under pressure straight, 9th of 15, 14l behind What An Flyer (11-4) at Cork 2m mrs N H flat sft in Dec.
Bluefontein (IRE) Catcher In The Rye gelding out of Mulberry River.
Jimmy Be Good (IRE) Pilsudski gelding out of Kirsty.
Mickelson (IRE) 4-1 (11-9) Held up towards rear, progress 3f out, close 7th on outer entering straight, ridden and one pace, 6th of 11, 8l behind Bold Optimist (11-9) at Leopardstown 2m 4yo nhf sft in Dec.
Tide Runner 50-1 (11-0) In rear, some modest late headway, 14th of 21, 33l behind Wandering Aengus (11-7) at Punchestown 2m 4yo nhf gd in Oct.
