chased leaders, not fluent jumping, under pressure in moderate 4th before straight, no extra 2 out, eased run-in
chased leader, not fluent jumping, still moderate 2nd before straight, lost place and no impression from 2 out
led, soon clear, reduced lead 5th, went on again before 7th, reduced lead approaching last where pressed, soon headed, dropped to 3rd run-in
rear of mid-division, moderate 8th before straight, soon one pace
chased leaders, moderate 3rd before straight, moderate 2nd 2 out, closed approaching last where challenged and slight mistake, soon led, stayed on well run-in
towards rear, moderate 11th before straight, soon one pace
soon mid-division, under pressure from 8th, moderate 7th before straight, soon no impression
soon mid-division, not fluent 6th, moderate 5th before straight, mistake 2 out, soon moderate 3rd, kept on well run-in into 2nd, closed on winner but never going to get there closing stages
towards rear, moderate 12th before straight, no impression when slight mistake 2 out, kept on well without threatening run-in
soon mid-division, mistake 4th, moderate 9th before straight, no extra 2 out, eased run-in
in rear, not fluent 2nd, pushed along 8th, soon no impression
chased leaders, slightly slow 2nd, dropped to moderate 14th before straight on inner, no impression
soon mid-division, pushed along 8th, moderate 13th before straight, no impression, kept on same pace
soon chased leaders, bad mistake 3 out, moderate 6th before straight, soon no impression, kept on run-in
towards rear, moderate 10th before straight, soon one pace
Another tough one for punters to unravel but Enda Bolger may well have got FEDERICI in lightly. Twice a winner over hurdles, he's improved markedly over fences and can run from a 15lb lower mark. He has an absence to overcome but should be ready and gets the nod over a similar type in Sammy Black, another on a much better mark over timber though he has an even longer absence to overcome. Phil The Flyer continues on an upward curve and was winning for the fourth time in five starts when beating a big field at Tipperary. A 9lb rise makes this more difficult but he's running well enough to overcome the extra. Russian Bill should win some nice races this campaign judged on an excellent run in a huge field at Punchestown on his handicap debut in April and if he's ready for this he can get involved. Mrs Mac Veale generally races in better company and hasn't won for a while but Donagh Meyler's claim puts her on a winnable mark and she's one for the shortlist.
Phil The Flyer (IRE) 6-1fav (11-7) Tracked leaders, 7th halfway, progress to lead after 4 out, asserted approaching last and stayed on well run-in, won at Tipperary 2m hcp gd in Oct beating Roconga (10-13) by 4l, 20 ran.
Miley Shah (IRE) 20-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, slight mistake 4th, 3rd halfway, ridden 3 out, soon no extra, 11th of 14, 36 1/4l behind Buster Dan Dan (10-6) at Listowel 2m 4f hcp sft in Sep.
Buster Dan Dan (IRE) 7-1 (11-9) Soon led and clear at stages, inclined to jump slightly left, not fluent 3rd, slightly impeded by loose horse at times, reduced lead from 9th, joined from 4 out, soon led again, headed from 2 out, one pace, 8th of 17, 10 3/4l behind Misty Lady (11-1) at Gowran Park 3m hcp gd in Oct.
Massini's Trap (IRE) 7-1 (11-2) Raced detached in rear early, closer after 3rd, went 7th after 4th and 6th after 4 out, ridden after 3 out and no impression from before next, 6th of 8, 22 1/2l behind Carriganog (11-2) at Kilbeggan 2m 3f gd in Aug.
Mrs Mac Veale (IRE) 16-1 (11-4) Raced 5th, 6th at 4th, 8th on outer 2 out where not fluent, soon driven into 6th, 5th at last, ridden and kept on well to 3rd run-in, nearest finish, 3rd of 9, 2l behind Copy That (9-12) at Galway 2m hcp gd in Oct.
Love Rory (IRE) 11-4fav (12-0) Tracked leaders, slightly slow 4th (ruby's double), 5th at 6th, 2nd at 21st, led on bend approaching 2 out, soon pressed, stayed on best run-in,, won at Punchestown 3m sft in Nov beating Keep On Track (12-0) by 1 1/2l, 9 ran.
Sammy Black (GER) 11-4fav (10-9) Made all, ridden from 2 out, stayed on well from last, comfortably, won at Ballinrobe 2m 6f hcp gd in May beating Shamiran (10-9) by 5 1/2l, 16 ran.
Roll It Out (IRE) 6-1fav (11-1) Towards rear, slight mistake 6th, no impression from 3 out, never a factor, 13th of 25, dist behind Avant Tout (11-8) at Punchestown 3m hcp Yielding in Apr.
Russian Bill (IRE) 14-1 (11-8) Held up towards rear, progress 2 out, ridden in 7th entering straight, stayed on to challenge approaching last, no extra run-in and kept on same pace, 4th of 25, 1 1/4l behind Shamiran (11-7) at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp Good - Yielding in Apr.
Cairde Aris (IRE) 6-1 (11-6) Mid-division, not fluent 5th, moderate 9th at 6th, pushed along from 3 out, no impression from before straight, 7th of 16, 17 1/4l behind Eight Till Late (11-5) at Limerick 2m 3f hcp gd in May.
Competitive Edge (IRE) 8-1 (10-13) Rear of mid-division, 6th when mistake 4 out, soon ridden and weakened, pulled up before last, at Fairyhouse 2m 1f hcp Soft - Heavy in Jan.
Nickname Exit (FR) 9-4fav (11-10) Tracked leader in 2nd, ridden after 3 out, no impression from before last and dropped to 4th run-in, 4th of 6, 8 1/2l behind Duckweed (10-11) at Kilbeggan 3m 1f Good - Yielding in May.
Back Off Mate (IRE) 10-1 (9-4) Towards rear in 11th early, soon in rear and detached and pushed along, reminder halfway, some headway but no impression straight, no extra and eased inside final furlong,, 11th of 12, 18 1/4l behind Fact Or Folklore (9-1) at Listowel 1m 4f hcp Soft - Heavy in Sep.
Buck Dancing (IRE) 11-4fav (11-12) Held up, 8th after 3rd, 10th approaching straight, soon pushed along, 7th 3 out, no impression next, one pace,, 6th of 12, 23l behind Snow Falcon (11-9) at Navan 2m 7f mdn sft in Jan.
Federici 7-2fav (10-6) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, progress in 3rd and mistake 3 out, ridden to dispute last, kept on under pressure, headed close home, 2nd of 9, 1/2l behind Ravished (10-8) at Killarney 2m 6f hcp Yielding in May.
Black Spot On (IRE) 14-1 (11-12) Held up, 9th from 5th, mistake 7th, bad mistake 10th, soon no impression and eased, tailed off,, 9th of 11, dist behind Jarob (11-12) at Navan 2m 4f gd in Sep.
Chief Of Panama (IRE) 5-1fav (11-5) Chased leaders, 7th halfway, slight mistake 7th, pushed along into straight, soon 2nd, switched left approaching last and no impression, one pace, 3rd of 12, 6 1/2l behind Run For Firth (10-12) at Limerick 2m 6f hcp Yielding in Oct.
Who's That (IRE) 20-1 (10-13) Held up, in rear from 3rd, dropped behind 5th,, last of 22, dist behind Phil The Flyer (11-5) at Navan 2m hcp gd in Sep.
