held up, 9th approaching 4 out, ridden soon after, no impression from 3 out, kept on same pace
held up, 8th approaching 4 out, improved after 3 out, led before straight, went clear from before last, stayed on well, easily
led, joined after 4th, soon headed, remained prominent, lost place and no extra from before straight
soon raced in 6th, 5th approaching 4 out, 4th before straight, ridden to go moderate 2nd and not fluent last, kept on same pace run-in
towards rear, pushed along briefly after 4th, under pressure from 4 out, soon no impression, moderate 6th from last and ran on without threatening run-in
chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, no extra from before straight
soon raced in 4th, went 2nd before straight, no impression from before last, soon one pace in 3rd
soon towards rear, pushed along from 4 out, no extra from after next
prominent, not fluent 2nd, on terms after 4th, soon led, not fluent 4 out and next, headed before straight, no impression in 4th from before last
prominent, dropped to 5th before straight, soon no impression
soon towards rear, pushed along from 4 out, soon no impression, kept on without threatening run-in
soon mid-division, 7th approaching 4 out, effort next, no impression from before straight
Ancient Sands is very consistent both on the Flat and over hurdles having won seven and been placed the same number of times in 26 career starts. He needed his opening run last season and may just be short of match practice after a long absence. He just about holds LUIMNEACH ABU on their 1-2 at Ballinrobe in September but the latter has the benefit of race sharpness. Ger Fox is excellent value for his claim and can steer his mount to victory. Via Del Corso has had a dozen starts over hurdles without winning though she's gone close on several occasions and should be scoring soon from this lowly mark. Alf Wright looks a big threat as he's just 1lb higher than when successful at Tramore in August.
Ancient Sands (IRE) 7-2 (11-10) Tracked leaders on inner and 5th halfway, headway into 3rd after 2 out and led entering straight, kept on well to draw clear run-in, won at Ballinrobe 2m hcp hdl 80-109 gd in Sep beating Luimneach Abu (11-4) by 5l, 16 ran.
Alf Wright (IRE) 16-1 (9-12) Held up towards rear at slow pace to 5th, improved from before 4 out to soon track leaders, 3rd approaching straight, chased winner and no impression from 3 out, kept on same pace, 2nd of 10, 4l behind Band Of Blood (11-5) at Cork 2m 4f hcp hdl.
Ontheground (IRE) 20-1 (11-1) Prominent, 5th before straight, no impression and kept on same pace from before 2 out, 8th of 18, 24l behind Hurricane Ridge (11-3) at Gowran Park 2m hcp hdl 80-116 in Oct.
Luimneach Abu (IRE) 5-1 (11-1) Soon tracked leaders, led 3 out, strongly pressed and just in front next, joined last, came close with rival and headed run-in, kept on same pace, 2nd of 11, 2 1/4l behind Roman Numeral (10-13) at Kilbeggan 2m hcp hdl 80-109 gd in Apr.
Invincible Don (IRE) 12-1 (11-11) Always towards rear, ridden and no impression 5 out, weakened and tailed off, 11th of 20, well behind Sullane Chief (10-6) at Cork 2m 4f hcp hdl 80-109 sft in Nov.
Dubawi Phantom 17-2 (11-8) Mid-division, jumped left and not fluent 3rd, ridden next, effort 3 out, mistake 2 out, soon weakened, 7th of 11, 36l behind Gay Sloane (11-2) at Hereford 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gf in Aug '12.
Treacy Hotels Boy (IRE) 20-1 (11-9) Always rear, slightly hampered 4 out, no extra and pulled up before next, in a race won by Court Jester (10-8) at Navan 2m cond hcp hdl (80-109) hvy in Feb, 14 ran.
Drunken Counsel (IRE) 8-1 (11-5) In rear, still last when fell 4 out, in a race won by Roman Numeral (10-13) at Kilbeggan 2m hcp hdl 80-109 gd in Apr, 11 ran.
Via Del Corso 11-4fav (11-7) Led, disputed briefly 3rd to 4th, challenged after 2 out, ridden and narrowly headed entering straight, no extra in 2nd run-in, kept on same pace, 2nd of 13, 1 1/4l behind Only Exception (10-10) at Ballinrobe 2m mdn hdl gd in Jul.
Rock County (IRE) 12-1 (9-12) Soon towards rear, ridden halfway, pulled up before 6 out, in a race won by Baresi (11-9) at Limerick 2m 3f hcp chs gs in Apr, 12 ran.
Kind Offer (IRE) 33-1 (10-6) Led, joined 6th, headed and ridden next, weakened before 2 out, 9th of 13, 21l behind Good As Gold (10-13) at Tramore 2m mares mdn hdl in Apr.
Explosive Issues (IRE) 33-1 (10-4) Mid-division, 6th halfway, badly hampered 6 out, soon dropped towards rear and no extra,completely tailed off, 10th of 12, well behind Rightville Boy (11-5) at Limerick 2m 3f hcp hdl 80-109 in Apr.
Sin Miedo (IRE) 11-1 (10-1) Tracked leaders and 4th halfway, pushed along when not fluent 3 out, no extra approaching next where left moderate 5th, weakened,, 5th of 9, well behind Wooly Tom (10-11) at Fairyhouse 2m hcp hdl in Jan.
