soon mid-division, pushed along 8th, no impression and mistake 6 out, weakened, completely tailed off
took keen hold, soon led, not fluent 4th, slight mistake 4 out, joined approaching straight, headed and dropped to 3rd before 2 out, soon no extra
chased leaders, lost place 3 out, soon no extra
prominent, weakened after 3 out
soon mid-division, closer in 6th at 6th, improved to be prominent 4 out, 3rd approaching straight, soon no extra
soon mid-division, 8th approaching 6 out, 5th approaching straight, soon no extra
soon mid-division, moderate 9th into straight, soon no extra
chased leaders, under pressure in 4th approaching straight, soon no extra
tracked leaders, on terms approaching straight, led before 2 out, narrow leader and strongly pressed last, stayed on well run-in to just hold on
towards rear, good headway on inner to track leaders in 3rd before straight, 2nd before 2 out, soon every chance under pressure, not much room on rail and dropped to 3rd closing stages
soon mid-division, pushed along approaching 6 out, soon no extra and pulled up before 3 out
soon mid-division, pushed along from 4 out, no extra after next
towards rear, no danger from before 6 out
rear of mid-division, went 7th into straight, moderate 4th 2 out, stayed on well run-in, not quite reach winner
towards rear, no danger from before 6 out, no extra and pulled up before 3 out
close up, pushed along in 4th after 3 out, dropped to moderate 8th into straight, no extra
towards rear, no danger from before 6 out, no extra and pulled up after 2 out
An absence since July 2011 is obviously a concern but the fact that Willie Mullins has persevered with BLESS N'JECT suggests that he's expected to make his mark over hurdles this campaign and the Ballinrobe bumper winner doesn't have too much to beat. Horendus Hulabaloo has some decent form against strong opposition and this winning point-to-pointer will be suited by what should be a stiff test of stamina. He looks a threat as does Ibsen, whose close second to Flaxen Flare at Leopardstown a year ago is the best form on offer though he hasn't quite managed a repeat. Ring Ben looks best of the remainder.
Banner Roar (IRE) 80-1 (11-5) Towards rear, no danger and kept on same pace from 4 out, 12th of 19, well behind Real Steel (11-12) at Cork 2m mdn hdl in Nov.
Bless N'ject (IRE) 13-2 (12-0) Attempted to make all, headed under 1f out, soon no chance with winner, kept on same pace, 2nd of 8, 6l behind Blossom Gate (10-10) at Galway 2m N H flat gd in Jul '11.
Easy To See (IRE) 33-1 (11-5) Soon mid-division, 11th approaching 6 out, soon no impression, 9th of 17, well behind Malt Gem (11-4) at Cork 3m in Apr.
Merry In Moscow (IRE) 16-1 (11-1) Chased leaders early, not always fluent jumping, no extra 4 out, 16th of 23, well behind Tidy Zag (11-6) at Cork 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 80-95 sft.
Paul Kristian (IRE) 16-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, ridden into moderate 9th entering straight, kept on one pace, 8th of 15, 16l behind Clonard Lad (11-12) at Naas 2m 4f mdn hdl in Nov.
Ring Ben (IRE) 20-1 (10-13) Tracked leaders, 3rd before straight, soon no impression in 4th, kept on same pace,, 3rd of 12, 5l behind Gort An Chnoic (10-11) at Clonmel 2m 4f gd.
A Pint Ahead (IRE) 33-1 (11-6) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden in 6th 3f out, no extra, 8th of 12, 27l behind Black Hercules (11-9) at Punchestown 2m 4yo nhf.
Contadina (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) Prominent in 2nd, ridden in 3rd 3f out, soon no extra, last of 12, 24l behind Shaneshill (11-7) at Naas 2m 4yo nhf in Nov.
Horendus Hulabaloo (IRE) 10-1 (11-1) Tracked leaders, 3rd 5 out, ridden in 5th 3 out, soon no impression, 6th of 8, 24l behind Faugheen (11-12) at Navan 2m 4f nh nov hdl.
Ibsen (IRE) 13-2 (9-13) Towards rear, ridden along 3 out, no impression entering straight, weakened, 9th of 13, 43l behind Bayan (10-10) at Listowel 2m sft in Sep.
Tale Of A Champion (IRE) 50-1 (11-7) Mid-division on outer, reminders 5th, weakened from next, never a factor, 26th of 30, well behind Vautour (11-7) at Navan 2m 4yo mdn hdl.
Vic Approach (IRE) 100-1 (11-2) Rear of mid-division, weakened from 4 out, never a factor, 23rd of 30, well behind Vautour (11-7) at Navan 2m 4yo mdn hdl.
Winter Breeze (IRE) Exit To Nowhere gelding out of Terracurra Beauty.
Feenakilmeedy (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) Rear of mid-division, weakened from 5f out, never a factor, 10th of 13, well behind Onwiththeparty (11-10) at Sligo 2m 2f N H flat hvy in Oct.
Leos Gift (IRE) 7-4 (12-0) Mid div until prog in 5th 6out, further prog in 3rd bef 2out, ld aftr 2out & went clr bef last, sow, won at Carrigtwohill 3m ire ptp sft in Feb '11 beating Ballyhass (12-0) by 8l, 12 ran.
Oatfield Lady (IRE) 100-1 (11-5) Soon rear of mid-division, never a factor, 20th of 30, well behind Sizing Tennessee (11-12) at Navan 2m mdn hdl.
Ridgewood Lady (IRE) 40-1 (11-2) Always towards rear, ridden and trailing 4f out, no impression, last of 14, 49l behind Romantic Fashion (11-4) at Limerick 2m mares n h flat sft in Nov.
