rear of mid-division early, mid-division at 6th, ridden in 6th entering straight, 4th at last, kept on without threatening to go 3rd close home
towards rear, slight mistake 6th, headway 4 out, 3rd 2 out (usual 3 out), improved to dispute lead entering straight, ridden and headed approaching last, no extra run-in
led, joined 3rd, led and mistake 5th, mistake 3 out, ridden bypassing usual 2 out, headed entering straight, weakened
always behind, trailing and pushed along 3rd, no impression from 4 out, pulled up after 2 out
tracked leaders, pushed along in 4th entering straight, ridden in 3rd at last, went 2nd after last, kept on well under pressure inside final furlong, not reach winner
prominent, disputed lead 3rd to 5th, mistake 6th, slight mistake 8th and pushed along, weakened from 3 out (usual 4 out), pulled up after 2 out
mid-division, dropped to rear of mid-division and mistake at 4th, niggled along at 9th, ridden in 7th 2 out (usual 3 out), no impression in 5th when mistake at last
tracked leaders on inner, improved to lead bypassing usual 2 out, ridden and joined entering straight, led approaching last, stayed on well under pressure inside final furlong
Woods Well won this last year and is 5lb lower so don't rule out a repeat as he's been running in tough handicaps. Anibale Fly comes good at this time of the year has we have seen with brilliant performances in Gold Cups and Grand Nationals. He'll find this on the short side though a much better run is anticipated. POKER PARTY will be very difficult to beat after landing the Kerry National at Listowel before an excellent run in the Paddy Power here in December. He's climbed the ratings as a consequence but should be good enough. Mortal would be an obvious threat if reproducing his chasing debut victory over the classy Any Second Now and his second to Delta Work in a Grade 1 here but he hasn't been in the best of form in recent races.
Poker Party (FR) 9-1 (11-6) Held up towards rear, ridden into 12th 2 out, stayed on into 7th last, kept on run-in, 4th of 27, 4 3/4l behind Roaring Bull (10-9) at Leopardstown 3m hcp sft in Dec.
Mortal (IRE) 16-1 (10-6) Waited with, soon towards rear, no extra approaching 2 out, completely tailed off, 24th of 25, dist behind Treacysenniscorthy (9-12) at Leopardstown 3m hcp sft in Dec.
Moonshine Bay (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) Towards rear, pushed along at 7th, mistake 11th, no impression from 3 out, never a factor, 14th of 24, dist behind Glamorgan Duke (9-11) at Leopardstown 2m 5f hcp Yielding in Feb.
Spider Web (IRE) 20-1 (11-2) Always behind, pushed along briefly and trailing 9th, badly hampered 11th, no impression from 4 out, pulled up before last, at Punchestown 3m 4f hcp hvy in Feb.
Scoir Mear (IRE) 25-1 (10-3) Mid-division, 6th 3 out, soon ridden and no impression, 7th of 16, 34 1/2l behind Mary Frances (10-2) at Punchestown 3m hcp hvy in Feb.
Call The Taxie (IRE) 25-1 (10-9) Led, mistake 12th, mistake 6 out and headed, soon weakened, pulled up after 3 out, at Punchestown 3m 4f hcp hvy in Feb.
From Eden (USA) 16-1 (11-2) Soon chased leaders, 4th at 4th, closed up and effort straight, slight mistake last, one pace after, 6th of 16, 12 1/4l behind Castle Oliver (10-9) at Naas 2m 4f hcp hvy in Feb.
Gun Digger (IRE) 25-1 (10-10) Always behind, weakened 7 out, pulled up before 4 out, at Punchestown 3m 4f hcp hvy in Feb.
Anibale Fly (FR) 25-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders, not fluent at 10th and pushed along, ridden next, soon weakened, last of 8, dist behind Delta Work (11-10) at Leopardstown 3m (1) Yielding in Feb.
Tikkanen Express (IRE) 10-1 (11-3) Prominent, on terms after 5th, led 7th, joined approaching 3 out, led again 2 out, almost joined last, kept on well run-in, won at Thurles 2m 1f hcp sft in Feb beating Kitten Rock (11-10) by 3/4l, 10 ran.
Woods Well (IRE) 20-1 (10-10) Short of room and slightly hampered start, always towards rear, slight mistake 5th, reminder halfway, no extra before 3 out, pulled up before next, at Limerick 2m 4f hcp hvy in Dec.
