tracked leaders, 5th halfway, ridden and no extra before 3 out, weakened
held up early, kept wide, mid-division halfway, closer and tracked leaders when slight mistake 5 out, ridden and no extra after 4 out, weakened and slight mistake 3 out, pulled up before 2 out
held up, ridden in moderate 7th and no impression 3 out, soon no extra and weakened
led, slight mistake 6th, joined after 4 out, slight mistake and headed 2 out, soon ridden, no impression in 2nd last, kept on same pace
always towards rear, ridden and weakened 4 out, pulled up before next
mid-division best, ridden and no extra after 4 out, weakened
settled behind leaders, 6th halfway, ridden in 5th and ran around slightly before 2 out, no impression before last, kept on same pace run-in
settled behind leaders, 7th halfway, ridden into 3rd 2 out, no impression before last, kept on same pace
always towards rear, no extra before 3 out, weakened
held up, soon mid-division, closer in 4th after 4 out, ridden before 2 out, no impression before last, kept on same pace
tracked leaders, slight mistake 3rd, 4th halfway, ridden and no extra 4 out, weakened, pulled up before next
tracked leaders early, mid-division from 4th, towards rear halfway, pushed along in rear 6 out, no extra before 3 out, pulled up before 2 out
tracked leader, slight mistake 6th, 2nd halfway, ridden to press leader entering straight, led 2 out, mistake last, kept on well run-in
tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, improved to dispute after 4 out, ridden in 3rd entering straight, no extra before 2 out, weakened
held up, soon towards rear, ridden and no extra after 4 out, weakened, pulled up before 2 out
Optional Mix had been in good form over fences before taking advantage of a lower hurdles mark to record a 15 length victory at Limerick. He's been hit with a 12lb rise and today's rider claims 5lb less so this is a much tougher assignment. Slane Hill hadn't shown much in maidens before stepping up to 2m3f and scoring at Naas when well supported. An opening mark of 114 looks manageable but EMANCIPATOR (NAP) was very impressive when landing a Fairyhouse handicap in November and though 14lb higher looks the type to go in again. Bluebell Diva loves testing ground as she showed when scoring at Clonmel and again with a narrow defeat at Limerick. She still looks on a fair mark and can go close with recent Cheltenham runner-up Brazos another to note.
Noble Birth 80-1 (10-5) Towards rear, ridden in 12th before 2 out, no impression and kept on one pace, 10th of 27, dist behind Maxxum (10-5) at Leopardstown 3m hcp sft in Dec.
Brazos (USA) 6-1 (10-2) Held up in rear, headway after final flight (usual 2 out), ridden to chase leaders passing usual final flight on the flat, ran on well, no chance with winner, 2nd of 8, 7l behind Captain Morgs (10-12) at Cheltenham 3m hcp (2) gd in Dec.
Jukebox Jive (FR) 80-1 (10-7) Mid-division, dropped towards rear halfway, pushed along when mistake 4 out, soon ridden and weakened, tailed off, 15th of 19, dist behind San Salvador (10-10) at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp Soft - Heavy in Dec.
Optional Mix (IRE) 3-1 (11-2) Made all, pressed 3 out, asserted after 2 out, ridden clear before last, kept on well, easily, won at Limerick 2m 4f hcp Soft - Heavy in Dec beating Whiskey Lullaby (11-7) by 15l, 10 ran.
Country Queen (IRE) 4-1 (11-10) Mid-division, bad mistake 3rd, ridden after 2 out, no impression in 6th last, kept on one pace, 6th of 10, 12l behind Well Funded (10-8) at Punchestown 2m hcp gd in Oct.
Lady Rita (IRE) 12-1 (10-2) Mid-division, pushed along before 7th, ridden after 2 out, no extra, 8th of 19, 26 1/2l behind San Salvador (10-10) at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp Soft - Heavy in Dec.
Slane Hill (IRE) 4-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, went 3rd at last (usual 3 out), ridden in 2nd bypassing 2 out, led bypassing last, stayed on well under pressure inside final furlong, won at Naas 2m 3f mdn sft in Dec beating Yeah Man (11-12) by 3/4l, 19 ran.
Justicialism (IRE) 16-1 (11-9) Mid-division, 7th halfway, headway before 2 out, ridden in 4th before last, kept on in 2nd closing stages, no chance with winner, 2nd of 11, 5 1/2l behind Cadatharla (11-7) at Naas 2m 3f hcp sft in Jan.
Garcon Doux (IRE) 100-1 (11-7) Held up towards rear, ridden in 13th entering straight, kept on one pace, 9th of 19, 25 3/4l behind Sam's Choice (12-0) at Leopardstown 2m 4f hcp sft in Dec.
Lord Gillygooley (IRE) 11-1 (9-12) Soon led, slight mistake 2nd where bumped and headed, soon back on terms, headed before 5 out, badly hampered next, soon weakened, pulled up before last, at Punchestown 3m hcp Good - Yielding in Nov.
Simply Shabra (IRE) 10-1 (11-12) Held up in rear, not fluent at 2nd, badly hampered at 9th and soon trailing, no impression when pulled up before 4 out, at Punchestown 2m 7f hvy in Jan.
Emancipator (IRE) 7-4fav (11-9) Tracked leaders, 5th halfway, headway to challenge 3 out, travelled well and led next, soon asserted and kept on well run-in, very easily, won at Fairyhouse 2m 4f hcp sft in Nov beating Robindevidastar (11-6) by 8l, 15 ran.
Bluebell Diva (IRE) 9-4fav (11-8) Mid-division on inner, 5th halfway, 3rd 4 out, ridden and no impression in moderate 3rd before 2 out, closer in 3rd at last, under pressure and stayed on well, nearest finish, 3rd of 17, 1/2l behind Doyen Ta Win (11-4) at Limerick 2m 3f hcp hvy in Dec.
Iridescent (IRE) 14-1 (11-9) Mid-division, headway into 4th travelling well entering straight, ridden before last, kept on one pace, 4th of 22, 2 1/2l behind Penny Jar (11-8) at Punchestown 2m 6f hcp Yielding - Soft in Nov.
Lough Na Fooey (IRE) 4-1 (11-5) Mid-division, 7th halfway, headway 3 out and 2nd approaching straight, pushed along before 2 out, dropped to 3rd at last, ridden and no impression run-in, 4th of 14, 5 1/4l behind Luimneach (11-12) at Limerick 2m 3f mdn sft in Nov.
