raced mainly in 6th, not fluent 4 out and ridden after next, soon no impression
chased leader in 2nd, improved to challenge before 2 out and soon disputed lead, ridden and led briefly before last, soon ridden and dropped to 3rd, no extra and kept on same pace run-in
mid-division and 4th from halfway, pushed along from 3 out and no impression from before next
raced in rear, badly hampered 1st, not fluent 3rd and mistake next, detached from halfway and soon no danger, completely tailed off
mid-division when fell 1st
mid-division, not fluent 1st, 5th from halfway, pushed along from 3 out, soon ridden and no impression, pulled up before last
led, pressed and joined before 2 out, soon headed and ridden, rallied before last and briefly disputed run-in, headed and kept on same pace close home
chased leaders in 3rd, not fluent 4 out, improved to challenge before 2 out where not fluent and soon ridden, led narrowly before last and briefly joined run-in, kept on well to regain lead closing stages and soon asserted
This is complicated by the fact that COMMANDANT was engaged to run at Thurles yesterday where he looked to have a very good chance of adding to his impressive victory on the same track a week ago. He would get the nod if turning out again though if absent Cairnhill would be a viable alternative. Liz Doyle's charge was making his handicap debut when leading all the way for a facile victory at Wexford and has much more to give. Light Of My Life looked one to follow when landing a Roscommon maiden but didn't do quite as well as expected here last month while Leap Dearg is better over fences though can race from 9lb lower back over timber. A Place Apart is only four but completed a double in a Downpatrick maiden then a Kempton handicap over fences. He didn't run as well back over hurdles at Punchestown but it will be a surprise if he doesn't get into contention.
Leap Dearg (IRE) 13-2 (12-5) Waited with, last at 4th, 6th approaching straight, soon pushed along, effort and slightly impeded 2 out, kept on without matching principals run-in, 4th of 9, 3 1/4l behind Dark Outsider (11-2) at Cork 2m 1f hcp Yielding in Nov.
Cairnhill (IRE) 11-4fav (10-13) Made all, joined briefly 2nd, asserted before 2 out, clear before last, ridden briefly run-in, easily, won at Wexford 2m hcp Yielding in Oct beating Just A Normal Day (11-7) by 16l, 7 ran.
A Place Apart (IRE) 6-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders, 2nd halfway, led 4 out, pushed along and headed after 2 out, dropped to 4th at last and no extra run-in, 4th of 8, 5 1/4l behind Star Maker (11-2) at Punchestown 2m 1f hcp gd in Nov.
Churchtown Glen (IRE) 12-1 (11-10) Held up towards rear, ridden after 4 out, no impression before next, 12th of 17, 21 1/4l behind Bitsandpieces (11-10) at Cork 2m hcp Yielding in Nov.
Light Of My Life (IRE) 9-4fav (10-5) Chased leader, progress after 2nd, slightly hampered at 3rd, soon 2nd, led after 4th, disputed 4 out, 2nd 3 out, every chance in 3rd 2 out, dropped to 4th and kept on one pace run-in, 4th of 7, 4 1/2l behind Water Sprite (11-3) at Limerick 2m hcp gd in Oct.
Commandant (IRE) 9-2 (11-11) Chased leaders, 3rd approaching halfway, soon 5th, challenged and on terms approaching last, soon led, pushed out to assert and stayed on well run-in, won at Thurles 2m hcp gf in Nov beating Lleyton (11-13) by 4l, 14 ran.
Guido Reni (IRE) 50-1 (10-10) Tracked leaders, led narrowly 2 out, soon headed and ridden, outpaced last, no impression when lost 2 places towards finish, 4th of 20, 2 3/4l behind Red Hot Chilly (11-1) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Killacolla (IRE) 10-1 (11-7) Settled behind leaders, 8th halfway, ridden in 6th entering straight, no impression before 3 out, kept on one pace, 4th of 20, 19 1/2l behind Sams Profile (11-7) at Cork 2m mdn Yielding in Nov.
