led, strongly pressed early straight, headed and dropped to 3rd before last, no extra run-in
tracked leaders, 5th halfway, 3rd entering straight and challenged from 2 out, led run-in and kept on under pressure
chased leaders on outer, dropped to rear after halfway
tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, mistake 6 out, no extra from 3 out, weakened
towards rear, never a factor, kept on one pace in straight
mid-division, never a factor
tracked leaders, 4th halfway, no extra from 3 out, weakened
tracked leaders, 6th halfway, mistake 7th, 4th entering straight, no impression when mistake last, kept on one pace
always prominent, 2nd halfway, challenged early straight and led between final 2 fences, headed under pressure run-in and no impression closing stages
mid-division, 9th halfway, mistake 8th, no extra from 3 out, weakened
towards rear, some headway after halfway, moderate 8th entering straight, no impression when blundered last, eased run-in
chased leaders, 8th halfway, no impression in 5th early straight, no extra from 2 out
chased leaders, 7th halfway, 4th 5 out, no extra from early straight, weakened
always towards rear, never a factor
rear of mid-division, some headway to go 7th entering straight, no impression from 2 out and kept on one pace
Winning point-to-pointer Fernhurst Lad is a fine staying prospect who ran very well behind Medical Card at Limerick but may find this on the short side. The once top-class prospect Cadogan has lost most of his career through injury but his close second to Raptor at Punchestown in November looks a fine effort. After his second to Realt Dubh in a Grade 2 in 2010, Gates Of Rome would have been expected to have won over fences by now but his jumping lets him down on occasions. Imperial Shabra has been very highly tried which is why he's 0-17 over fences and this could rest between those two fine hurdlers SHINROCK PADDY and Ninetieth Minute. The former should just have the call here as he's competed in Grade 1's on his last two starts after an excellent second to Lambro over the C&D though Ninetieth Minute made Shot From The Hip pull out all the stops at Fairyhouse and looks a major threat.
Cadogan (FR) 11-4fav (11-12) Led, ridden and challenged 3 out, headed before 2 out, no extra, 5th of 11, 31l behind Gran Torino (11-9) at Down Royal 2m 4f beg chs hvy in Dec.
Gates Of Rome (IRE) 3-1 (11-12) Disputed lead, mistake 5th, led from 4 out, mistake 3 out, strongly pressed when not fluent and headed at last, no chance with winner run-in, 2nd of 13, 4l behind Carloswayback (11-12) at Punchestown 2m 4f beg chase hvy in Jan.
Highdownhill (NZ) 20-1 (11-12) Soon disputed lead, 3rd approaching 4 out, 5th and no extra next, 5th of 6, 33l behind Shot From The Hip (11-12) at Fairyhouse 2m 1f beg chase sft in Jan.
Ifsoluso (IRE) 100-1 (11-7) Towards rear for most, tailed off, 9th of 12, well behind Berties Dream (11-12) at Thurles 3m beg chase hvy in Jan.
Imperial Shabra (IRE) 66-1 (11-4) Led early, chasing other 2 from 3rd, no impression when mistake 7th, soon trailing, last of 3, well behind Sizing Europe (11-12) at Punchestown 2m chs Grd 2 (1) hvy.
King Of Ardcarne (IRE) 14-1 (10-7) In rear, went 4th from 6 out, weakened from 3 out, 4th of 5, 48l behind Chester Lad (11-0) at Newcastle 2m beg chase (5) sft in Jan.
Letterlee Star (IRE) 12-1 (11-1) Tracked leaders, ridden along from halfway, moderate 5th 3 out, no impression straight, 4th of 12, 20l behind Monaco Springs (10-9) at Limerick 2m 6f hcp hdl 8Evens02 hvy in Dec '09.
Milan Nua (IRE) 25-1 (11-5) Prominent, led from 4th, ridden entering straight, headed after 3 out, onepaced in 3rd 2 out, no impression on leaders from last, 4th of 11, 4 1/2l behind Oscar Dan Dan (11-12) at Navan 2m 1f beg chase in Jan.
Ninetieth Minute (IRE) 5-1 (11-12) Close up and soon disputed lead, not fluent 4 out, ridden to lead before 2 out, joined and slightly right at last, kept on well run-in, headed close home, 2nd of 6, 1/2l behind Shot From The Hip (11-12) at Fairyhouse 2m 1f beg chase sft in Jan.
Shinrock Paddy (IRE) 10-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders on inner in 4th, dropped to rear after halfway, mistake 4 out, moderate 4th from early straight, 4th of 8, 41l behind Last Instalment (11-10) at Leopardstown 3m nov chs Grade 1 (4yo+) (1) gd in Dec.
Star Of Hollywood (IRE) 25-1 (11-12) Always towards rear, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Up The Beat (11-12) at Fairyhouse 2m 5f beg chs hvy in Dec, 15 ran.
The Big Mosquito (IRE) 20-1 (11-12) Waited with, closed to track leaders from before 3 out, struggling from after next, kept on same pace under pressure, 4th of 6, 11l behind Shot From The Hip (11-12) at Fairyhouse 2m 1f beg chase sft in Jan.
Tomcoole Lad (IRE) 33-1 (11-12) Mid-division, 8th early, no impression from 5 out, 8th of 14, 41l behind Shootin The Breeze (11-12) at Thurles 2m beg chase hvy.
Whatdoyousay 40-1 (11-12) Prominent in chasing group, moderate 3rd 4 out, soon no impression, kept on same pace, 3rd of 13, 36l behind Odonimee (11-5) at Clonmel 2m beg chase hvy.
Widowmaker (IRE) 66-1 (11-5) Rear of mid-division, mistake 6th, 8th approaching 3 out, no impression in straight, 7th of 13, 35l behind Carloswayback (11-12) at Punchestown 2m 4f beg chase hvy in Jan.
Sherika (IRE) 11-1 (10-4) Mid-division, 9th approaching 6 out, moderate 6th and kept on same pace from before straight, 7th of 18, 45l behind Killcara Boy (11-1) at Limerick 2m 6f hcp hdl 80-95 hvy in Jan.
Fernhurst Lad (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Soon tracked leaders, bad mistake 5 out, challenged and on terms before 2 out, headed and slight mistake last, no impression and kept on without matching winner run-in, 2nd of 14, 1l behind Medical Card (11-12) at Limerick 2m 6f beg chs hvy in Dec.
