tracked leaders, bad mistake 1st, pushed along briefly at 4th, ridden 4 out, soon no impression
tracked leaders, 4th 4 out, headway to dispute lead next, led entering straight, ridden and strongly pressed 2 out, headed approaching last, no extra in 3rd inside final furlong
mid-division, 8th 4 out, headway entering straight, went 2nd 2 out, ridden to lead approaching last, strongly pressed and joined inside final furlong, headed and no extra close home
mid-division, 11th 4 out, closer in 7th and ridden entering straight, soon no impression
led, slight mistake 4th, bad mistake 7 out, headed 4 out, soon ridden and weakened, pulled up before 2 out
always behind, weakened from 4 out, pulled up before 2 out
mid-division when fell 1st
tracked leaders, mid-division halfway, ridden and no impression from 4 out
mid-division, dropped to rear and pushed along halfway, soon no impression
mid-division, headway to track leaders halfway, close 3rd 4 out, 2nd entering straight, soon ridden, 4th 2 out, no impression
mid-division, ridden in 7th 3 out, 6th 2 out, no extra
rear of mid-division, 10th 4 out, some progress entering straight, ridden in 5th 2 out, no extra
tracked leaders, 5th 4 out, soon ridden and weakened
always prominent, led 4 out, joined next, headed and ridden in 3rd entering straight, 3rd at last, rallied well on run-in, disputed lead inside final furlong, stayed on well and led close home
always towards rear, no impression from 5 out, never a factor
always towards rear, mistake 4 out, tailed off when refused last
PAIROFBROWNEYES won this last year and Page Turner in 2014. The former, who had Killer Crow just over four lengths behind in second a year ago, has continued in excellent form and only just failed to concede Un Beau Roman 8lb at Cheltenham last month. He can take this again as Page Turner was well beaten a year ago and has been badly out of form, though there looks to be plenty of threats at the bottom end of the handicap. Smadynium was bought out of a Hexham seller and has since won twice for Shark Hanlon, only failing to make it three when just failing to concede a stone to Mick The Jiver at Thurles. He's up another 10lb which makes things more difficult. Westerner Point made all and just held on over 2m1f at Cork though has no problems staying this trip but A Decent Excuse has been running better over hurdles. Recent winners After Aspen and Flemenstorm could both be considered if getting a run from their reserve spots.
Domesday Book (USA) 25-1 (10-12) Tracked leader in 2nd, led and disputed lead from 4th, headed 4 out, ridden and under pressure when mistake next, 5th 2 out, no impression, 6th of 25, 14 1/4l behind Empire Of Dirt (11-8) at Navan 3m hcp Yielding - Soft in Nov.
Pairofbrowneyes (IRE) 4-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, challenged 8th, upsides when hit 4 out, led before 2 out, ridden 2 lengths clear before last, kept on when hard pressed closing stages, headed narrowly near finish, 2nd of 9, hd behind Un Beau Roman (10-13) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (2) gd in Nov.
Montys Meadow (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, pecked and unseated rider 1st, at Clonmel 3m sft in Dec.
Texas Jack (IRE) 25-1 (11-1) Mid-division, no impression from 4 out, kept on one paced straight, never a factor, 7th of 15, 35 1/4l behind Oscar Knight (9-10) at Navan 2m 4f hcp Yielding - Soft in Dec.
Page Turner (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) Prominent, led from 1st, headed 3rd, soon lost place, slightly slow 6th and rear after, behind approaching 9th, completely tailed off, last of 6, dist behind Champagne Fever (11-0) at Thurles 2m 6f lst (1) Yielding in Nov.
Sizing Coal (IRE) 16-1 (10-3) In rear, not much room 1st, some headway 15th, 11th when fell 16th, at Aintree 3m 2f hcp (1) gs in Dec.
Ludo Et Emergo (IRE) 100-1 (11-4) Rear, detached after 4th, pecked 9th, left moderate 5th 3 out, kept on one pace, tailed off, never a factor, 4th of 7, dist behind Douvan (11-12) at Cork 2m 1f (1) Soft - Heavy in Dec.
Rightville Boy (IRE) 14-1 (10-0) Raced 4th, slow jump at 3rd, 5th at 10th, ridden into 4th before 2 out, no impression on winner, kept on same pace, 4th of 15, 17 3/4l behind Tiger Roll (10-6) at Limerick 3m hcp Yielding in Oct.
Just Cause (IRE) 10-1 (11-12) Disputed early, chased leader after 2nd, 3rd halfway, ridden in 5th 4 out, no extra entering straight, 7th of 14, 29 1/4l behind Haymount (11-12) at Punchestown 2m 4f sft in Nov.
Killer Crow (IRE) 14-1 (10-6) Tracked leaders, 5th 4 out, under pressure when slightly hampered 3 out, no impression, 5th of 15, 32 1/4l behind Oscar Knight (9-10) at Navan 2m 4f hcp Yielding - Soft in Dec.
Toushan (IRE) 25-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, ridden in 6th before straight, no impression before 2 out, kept on one pace, 7th of 12, 15l behind Irish Bulletin (11-11) at Limerick 3m hcp Yielding in Dec.
Damut (IRE) 20-1 (11-12) Held up, soon raced in 8th, bad mistake 9th, soon no danger, 6th of 11, dist behind Bellow Mome (11-12) at Thurles 2m 2f Yielding in Nov.
Smadynium (FR) 3-1fav (11-10) Disputed lead early, soon led, asserted from before straight, stayed on well run-in, comfortably, won at Clonmel 2m 3f hcp Yielding - Soft in Dec beating Simple Steps (9-10) by 8l, 14 ran.
Westerner Point (IRE) 4-1 (10-4) Led, pressed straight, left with decisive advantage from last, stayed on well run-in, just held on, won at Cork 2m 1f hcp Soft - Heavy in Nov beating Riviera Sun (10-2) by shd, 7 ran.
A Decent Excuse (IRE) 8-1 (11-5) Chased leader, disputed from 5th to after 7th, 2nd halfway, led 3 out, ridden before 2 out, pressed 2 out, narrowly headed before last where mistake, no extra in 2nd run-in, kept on same pace, 2nd of 12, 2 3/4l behind Irish Bulletin (11-11) at Limerick 3m hcp Yielding in Dec.
Flemenstorm (IRE) 12-1 (11-1) Soon tracked leaders, 4th at 3rd, disputed 3rd 2 out, challenged from before last, every chance run-in and kept on well to dispute lead at line, won at Navan 2m 1f hcp Soft - Heavy in Dec beating Effernock Lad (11-1), 11 ran.
Sumos Novios (IRE) 13-8fav (10-12) Tracked leader, not fluent 8th, on terms from 10th, soon headed, on terms again from before 3 out, pushed along before straight, slight mistake 2 out, soon headed and no impression, weakened, last of 7, 19 3/4l behind Bridgets Pet (10-12) at Fairyhouse 2m 6f hvy in Jan.
After Aspen (IRE) 11-1 (11-4) Mid-division, progress into 4th halfway, 4th 3 out, ridden in 3rd 2 out, went 2nd at last, headway to lead inside final furlong, stayed on well close home, won at Naas 2m 4f hcp Yielding - Soft in Nov beating Spancil Hill (10-4) by 3 1/4l, 16 ran.
