prominent, led from 5th, joined briefly 4 out, ridden after 3 out, headed 2 out, weakened
tracked leaders, ridden in close 5th on inner 2 out ,3rd entering straight, 2nd at last, checked briefly on inner and switched right inside final furlong, kept on close home
rear of mid-division, rapid headway on outer from 3 out, ridden in close 4th next, no impression before straight
tracked leaders, 5th 3 out, ridden when mistake next, no impression before straight
led, headed 5th, ridden and weakened quickly from 3 out
tracked leaders, 7th 3 out, ridden in 8th when mistake next, moderate 7th entering straight, moderate 4th at last, stayed on well run-in to go 3rd close home
tracked leaders, 8th 3 out, ridden from next, soon weakened
always towards rear, not fluent early and mistake 3rd, no impression from 3 out, never a factor
rear of mid-division, moderate 11th 2 out, pushed along entering straight, kept on one paced
tracked leaders, disputed lead briefly 4 out, close 3rd 2 out, ridden to lead entering straight, strongly pressed at last, stayed on well under pressure run-in
mid-division on inner, close 7th on inner 2 out, ridden and progress into 4th entering straight, disputing close 2nd when mistake at last, not recover and weakened to 4th run-in
mid-division, 9th 2 out, soon ridden, moderate 7th at last, no extra
mid-division, weakened from 3 out, never a factor
prominent on inner, improved to dispute lead after 3 out, ridden and led 2 out, headed entering straight, weakened before last
always behind, no impression from 3 out, never a factor
Emperor Of Exmoor stepped up to this trip with a fine run behind Mister Nibbles here in January and, with further progress likely, has to be on the short-list. Pigeon Creek was in decent form over fences when last seen but will probably need this but Toubaloo has shown promise in two starts on testing ground at Naas. Hairy O'Malley had been going well in bumpers before winning one at Punchestown and has the pedigree for jumping but Is Love Alive has been a bit disappointing after scoring between the flags. SHAMSIKHAN had winning form in France before making his debut for Willie Mullins at Listowel in September where he started a short-priced favourite. He couldn't quite cope with Minella Foru but the winner won a Grade 3 next time so that form should be good enough for this. Lilly Of The Moor ran two fine races over this trip before finding 2m7f too far at Thurles.
Company Coming (IRE) 50-1 (11-12) Disputed early and headed 2nd, 3rd halfway, dropped to 5th aproaching straight, no extra before 2 out, 6th of 22, 20l behind Daneking (11-11) at Navan 2m mdn hdl hvy in Feb.
Emperor Of Exmoor (IRE) 16-1 (11-12) Soon chased leaders, 2nd halfway, progress to challenge 2 out, ridden in 2nd before last, no extra in 3rd last, kept on same pace, 3rd of 17, 2 3/4l behind Mister Nibbles (11-9) at Leopardstown 2m 4f mdn hdl sft in Jan.
Hackets Folly (IRE) 9-1 (11-4) Held up, raced towards outer, pushed along from 4 out, progress into 4th approaching 3 out, 2nd approaching straight, challenged from 2 out, no impression and kept on same pace run-in, 2nd of 9, 2l behind Fethard Player (11-4) at Thurles 2m 6f mdn hdl hvy in Feb.
Pigeon Creek (IRE) 13-8fav (11-7) Tracked leaders in 3rd, not fluent 6th, headway to lead briefly before 3 out, headed approaching 2 out and soon no impression on winner, kept on same pace under pressure, 2nd of 10, 2 1/2l behind Chebona Bula (11-12) at Tramore 2m 6f beg chase gd in May.
Realdealholyfield (IRE) 33-1 (11-7) Led, took keen hold, headed after 5f, weakened quickly from 4f out, completely tailed off, 9th of 10, well behind Grand Partner (11-7) at Fairyhouse 2m N H flat sft in Jan.
Thekingofconnemara (IRE) 4-1fav (11-9) Chased leaders early, mid-division and niggled along before halfway, ridden before straight, moderate 12th 2f out, 7th 1f out, kept on under pressure, 5th of 20, 14l behind Here For The Craic (11-9) at Cork 2m N H flat gf in May.
Toubaloo (IRE) 10-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, 6th halfway, progress into 3rd 3 out, ridden into 2nd before 2 out, soon no impression on winner, kept on same pace, lost 2nd closing stages run-in,, 3rd of 20, 10l behind Champagne James (11-12) at Naas 2m 3f mdn hdl in Feb.
Calgacus (IRE) 10-1 (9-9) Led, headed before halfway, disputed lead again halfway, soon ridden and weakened, last of 14, 30l behind King Of Oriel (8-13) at Gowran Park 1m 1f app hcp 50-75 gd in Sep (flat).
Hairy O'malley (IRE) 9-4 (11-10) Chased leader, 2nd halfway, 3rd 5f out, improved to lead 3f out, ridden 2f out, kept on well from over 1f out, won at Punchestown 2m N H flat hvy in Feb beating Bosman Rule (12-0) by 2 1/2l, 7 ran.
Is Love Alive 5-2fav (11-1) Tracked leaders and 4th 4 out, progress to dispute briefly entering straight, headed 2 out and no impression in 4th before last, no extra run-in, 4th of 16, 13l behind Pairofbrowneyes (11-1) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f mdn hdl in Jan.
Shamsikhan (IRE) 5-4fav (11-7) Tracked leaders, 3rd approaching straight, 2nd and challenged before 2 out, soon led, narrowly headed before last, flicked tail and not match winner run-in, 2nd of 18, 1/2l behind Minella Foru (11-7) at Listowel 2m 4yo mdn hdl in Sep.
Zigger Zagger (IRE) 8-1 (11-10) Mid-division, slight mistake 5th, progress into 4th before 3 out, mistake 3 out, ridden and no extra entering straight, 10th of 20, 31l behind The Winkler (11-7) at Gowran Park 2m mdn hdl in Jan.
Its Now Or Never (IRE) 50-1 (10-6) Mid-division, ridden 4 out, soon weakened, 10th of 13, well behind Say It Again (11-4) at Down Royal 2m 4f mdn hdl hvy in Feb.
Lilly Of The Moor 10-11fav (10-13) Tracked leaders in 5th, closer 4 out and 2nd before next, no extra early straight and moderate 3rd 2 out, kept on one pace,, 3rd of 14, 17l behind Our Katie (11-7) at Thurles 2m 6f mdn hdl in Nov.
Magic Vixen (IRE) 40-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders, 3rd 4f out, soon ridden, weakened over 2f out, 13th of 16, 19l behind Shesafoxylady (11-9) at Navan 2m mrs N H flat lst (1) in Nov.
