always towards rear, never a factor
prominent early, dropped to mid-division before halfway, soon weakened and pulled up after 4 out
chased leaders, mistake 6th, 6th halfway, some headway into 4th entering straight, no extra from 2 out
mid-division, never a factor, no extra after 4 out
mid-division, mistake 3rd, 8th halfway, moderate 5th and no extra after 2 out, weakened
chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden approaching straight and weakened quickly before 3 out, pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, never a factor, kept on one pace
always towards rear, behind when pulled up before 4 out
prominent and soon tracked leader in 2nd, led from 7th, strongly pressed and joined 2 out, slight advantage after last and kept on under pressure run-in
soon led, headed after 7th, ridden and dropped to 5th entering straight, no extra from 3 out and weakened
always behind, pulled up before 5 out
tracked leaders, 5th halfway, went 2nd approaching straight and headway to dispute 2 out, slight mistake and headed last, kept on under pressure run-in, no impression on winner closing stages
always towards rear, never a factor
always behind
tracked leaders, 4th halfway, no threat in straight, kept on one pace
chased leaders, 7th halfway, 6th after 4 out, went 3rd before 2 out, kept on under pressure run-in without reaching first 2
rear of mid-division, 9th approaching 3 out, kept on one pace in straight
A competitive start in a race in which the market leader has won eight of the thirteen renewals. The return to action and chasing debut of Ballyadam Brook, last seen behind Cue Card in a Grade 2 at Cheltenham in November 2010, is of great interest but this is a tough baptism. Dantes King was always in the front rank when a close third behind Frisco Depot at Fairyhouse on New Year's Day and should be suited by this shorter trip. Der Spieler produced a good run behind Perfect Smile at Fairyhouse but didn't make the expected progress at Lepardstown subsequently so this can go to HARPSY CORD. Jim Dreaper's winning point-to-pointer and hurdler made a promising start over fences behind Rathlin before a cracking effort when runner-up to the potentially top-class Soll at Down Royal and further progress is virtually guaranteed. Ballyburke is another to keep an eye on in a strong opener.
Awkward Moment (IRE) 33-1 (11-7) Towards rear, 8th 5 out, no impression on leaders when left 4th after 2 out, kept on one pace to snatch 3rd close home, 3rd of 10, 24l behind Soll (11-12) at Down Royal 2m 4f beg chase hvy.
Ballyadam Brook (IRE) 11-1 (11-7) Led, set strong pace, hit 1st, soon clear, reduced lead 3rd, hit 4th and next, ridden and headed 3 out, no chance with leading duo from next, well beaten when hit last, 3rd of 7, 18l behind Cue Card (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m nov hdl G2 (1) gd in Nov '10.
Ballyburke (IRE) 7-4fav (11-12) Prominent in chasing group, closed in 2nd approaching straight, soon no impression under pressure, not fluent and kept on same pace from 2 out, 2nd of 13, 18l behind Odonimee (11-5) at Clonmel 2m beg chase hvy.
Castlesaffron (IRE) 25-1 (11-12) Mid-division, not fluent 3rd, soon progress to chase leaders, no impression from 7 out, kept on same pace, 7th of 12, well behind Berties Dream (11-12) at Thurles 3m beg chase hvy in Jan.
Crystal Wave (IRE) 40-1 (11-12) Disputed early, led before 4th, ridden and headed 2 out, weakened straight, 7th of 8, 16l behind Colbert Station (11-12) at Leopardstown 2m 1f beg chase in Jan.
Dantes King (IRE) 7-2 (11-12) Led early, tracked leaders in 3rd halfway, headway to lead 2 out, soon ridden and joined last, headed run-in and no impression under pressure, kept on one pace, 3rd of 5, 3/4l behind Frisco Depot (11-12) at Fairyhouse 2m 5f beg chase sft in Jan.
Der Spieler (GER) 7-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, ridden in 4th entering straight, no extra in 3rd last, kept on same pace run-in, 4th of 8, 5l behind Colbert Station (11-12) at Leopardstown 2m 1f beg chase in Jan.
Fiery Oscar (IRE) 9-2 (11-3) Chased leaders early, no extra 3 out, pulled up before next, in a race won by Caheronaun (11-3) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f hcp hdl 80-102 sft in Jan, 16 ran.
Harley Road (IRE) 66-1 (11-7) Led, headed 6th, lost place next, no extra after 5 out, pulled up 3 out, in a race won by Call The Police (11-12) at Gowran Park 2m 4f beg chs sft in Nov, 18 ran.
Harpsy Cord (IRE) 11-2 (11-12) Prominent and tracked leader in 2nd from before halfway, tried to challenge 2 out, no extra under pressure run-in, 2nd of 10, 4 1/2l behind Soll (11-12) at Down Royal 2m 4f beg chase hvy.
Milan Nua (IRE) 16-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, no extra from 3 out, weakened, 9th of 16, well behind Gates Of Rome (11-12) at Naas 2m 3f beg chase sft.
Pasou (FR) 20-1 (9-7) Tracked leaders, lost place from before straight, soon no impression and kept on same pace, 10th of 18, 13l behind Knockieran (10-11) at Limerick 2m 2f hcp hdl 80-109 in Oct.
Sole Witness (IRE) 33-1 (11-5) Prominent and led briefly 2nd, 3rd halfway, ridden entering straight and under pressure in 3rd when fell 2 out, in a race won by Soll (11-12) at Down Royal 2m 4f beg chase hvy, 10 ran.
Spring Wine (IRE) 50-1 (11-12) Always towards rear, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Shootin The Breeze (11-12) at Thurles 2m beg chase hvy, 14 ran.
Star Of Hollywood (IRE) 66-1 (11-12) Mid-division, 9th halfway, mistake 8th, no extra from 3 out, weakened, 10th of 16, well behind Gates Of Rome (11-12) at Naas 2m 3f beg chase sft.
Steele's Rock (IRE) 8-1 (11-9) Led, strongly pressed and joined when fell 2 out, in a race won by The Lady Granuaile (10-12) at Limerick 2m 4f hcp hdl 8Evens23 sft in Nov, 15 ran.
Swanfold (IRE) 66-1 (11-9) Mid-division, mistake 7th and dropped to rear, no threat when jumped badly left 3 out, 8th of 10, 41l behind Soll (11-12) at Down Royal 2m 4f beg chase hvy.
Undertheboardwalk (IRE) 5-1 (11-12) Towards rear for most, never a factor, 9th of 13, well behind Odonimee (11-5) at Clonmel 2m beg chase hvy.
