mid-division early, 6th after 3rd, not much room on inner from 7th, switched right before 2 out and effort, soon one pace
disputed lead briefly early, tended to jump a little left, 7th after 3rd, dropped to last at next, not a factor after, pulled up before 3 out
soon prominent, 3rd after 3rd, 2nd when not fluent 7th, lost position into straight, weakened
waited with, 8th after 3rd, switched left to outer after 3 out and effort, jumped right 2 out and one pace
chased leaders, 5th after 3rd, not fluent 4th and reminder, slight mistake next, no impression 4 out, weakened and pulled up before 3 out
waited with towards rear, inclined to jump right, some headway and effort straight, soon one pace
waited with, 9th after 3rd, headway from next, impeded 3 out, challenged between horses from before last where on terms, headed and kept on without matching winner close home
close up and disputed lead, mistake 3rd, slight mistake 5th, on terms last, headed run-in and kept on without matching front pair
led and disputed, slight mistake 4 out, joined last, soon headed and no extra in 4th, one pace
soon tracked leaders, 4th after 3rd, slight mistake 7th, bumped 3 out, on terms last, led and stayed on best close home
Tongie is the only course and distance winner in the line-up but is now 9lb higher after a good effort at Ballinrobe in May and would prefer more rain. Shrewd Operator weakened quickly from the last in that latter event and would prefer much softer ground while BELLGROVE has been on the go for a long time but is only 3lb higher than his last victory at Tramore in August. He had Just A Normal Day behind there and though the latter has been running well the positions can be confirmed. Crocodile Dundee is very consistent but is still looking high enough in the weights while Baby Jake has never won over fences.
Baby Jake (IRE) 16-1 (11-11) Prominent, 3rd from 3rd, almost on terms 6th, lost position and slightly impeded before 3 out, soon weakened, 14th of 16, 27 3/4l behind Try Again (10-11) at Navan 2m hcp gf in Sep.
Blue Empyrean (IRE) 100-1 (11-1) Held up in last, off pace from 4th, no impression from 4 out, moderate last when left 4th and fell at last, at Naas 2m (1) Yielding in Nov.
Tongie (IRE) 10-1 (12-3) 6th of 16, 5 1/4l behind Markhan (12-3) at Punchestown 1m 7f gd in Nov.
Crocodile Dundee (IRE) 13-2 (11-8) Chased leaders, 8th from 8th, impeded 10th, under pressure straight, soon no impression and fell 2 out, at Killarney 2m 5f hcp gd in Jul.
Dundrum Lad (IRE) 11-2 (11-8) Mid-division, slight mistake 1st, 8th after 5th, not fluent 8th, no extra from before last, 7th of 12, 36 1/2l behind Leap Dearg (11-9) at Galway 2m 2f hcp sft in Oct.
Hudson's Bay (IRE) 7-1 (11-9) Waited with, 6th at 4th, closer order at 6th, soon tracked leaders, slight mistake 5 out, 4th approaching straight, slight mistake 3 out, no impression and one pace 2 out, 7th of 9, 10 1/4l behind Dark Outsider (11-2) at Cork 2m 1f hcp Yielding in Nov.
Just A Normal Day (IRE) 2-1fav (11-2) Soon chased leaders, 4th after 4th, 3rd approaching straight, challenged from 2 out, not fluent last, kept on without getting to winner run-in, 2nd of 9, 1 3/4l behind Dark Outsider (11-2) at Cork 2m 1f hcp Yielding in Nov.
Bellgrove (IRE) 9-2 (11-7) Soon raced in 3rd, dropped to 4th approaching 3 out, 3rd again and no impression from after 2 out, kept on without threatening run-in, 3rd of 10, 4 1/2l behind Whatsinthecorner (11-5) at Thurles 2m 2f hcp gd in Nov.
Shrewdoperator (IRE) 9-1 (10-2) Disputed lead, headed 4th, disputed lead from 5 out, headed before next, led again and mistake 2 out, soon headed, ridden and weakened before last, 5th of 11, 11l behind Newsworthy (11-11) at Ballinrobe 2m 3f hcp hvy in May.
Lacken Bridge (IRE) 9-2 (11-4) Soon tracked leaders, disputed 3rd after 4th, not fluent 11th, chased winner and slight mistake 3 out, not fluent 2 out, no extra and mistake last, 5th of 11, dist behind Fergiethelegend (9-12) at Wexford 3m 1f hcp sft in May.
