soon tracked leaders, on terms 3 out, ridden in 2nd before straight, no extra and kept on same pace from before last
mid-division, 6th 3 out, no impression under pressure and kept on same pace from before last
waited with towards rear, still only 9th 2 out, improved into 2nd under pressure and chased winner last, stayed on well to squeez through gap on rail and lead closing stages, soon asserted
soon tracked leaders, 4th before straight, no extra and kept on same pace from between last 2
soon led, joined 3 out, headed and dropped to 3rd before straight, no extra and kept on same pace from between last 2
prominent, 5th before straight, no impression in 4th at last, kept on same pace run-in
mid-division, 7th 3 out, no impression under pressure and kept on same pace without threatening from before last
prominent, on terms 3 out, led before straight, bad mistake 2 out, headed before last, soon dropped to 3rd and no impression
waited with in rear, improved from 3 out, ridden to challenge and lead before last, soon attempted to assert until no extra and caught closing stages
waited with towards rear, a couple of slightly slow jumps, no extra and kept on same pace from before 2 out
It's a long time since the useful chaser Sorceror ran over hurdles while another decent performer over the bigger obstacles, Major Finnegan, looked in need of his recent run at Cork after a very long break and may need another. Pass The Hat won a maiden at Tramore in very convincing fashion but faces a much sterner test on his handicap debut while the four-year-old Blue Cannon may not quite have the experience for this. BLACK MAC has run three times in the UK recently, easily landing a Uttoxeter handicap before racing from a ridiculously high mark at Fakenham on New Year's Day. He's probably still a couple of pounds high but is in such good form that he gets the vote. Masked Phantom is still a maiden after a dozen starts and appeared to find this trip too short last time.
Sorceror (FR) 7-2 (10-5) Mid-division when mistake and unseated rider 4th, in a race won by Arklow Ger (10-7) at Leopardstown 2m 1f hcp chs sft in Dec, 11 ran.
Major Finnegan (IRE) 20-1 (11-5) Keen hold, prominent, left in lead after 4 out, joined before straight, headed 3 out, soon no extra and kept on same pace, 4th of 6, 24l behind Final Approach (11-12) at Cork 2m hdl hvy.
Pass The Hat 9-1 (11-4) Keen hold in mid-division, closer order to track leaders approaching 2 out, ridden to challenge and lead last, stayed on well run-in, won at Tramore 2m mdn hdl hvy beating American Flyer (10-11) by 3l, 13 ran.
Total Reality (IRE) 12-1 (11-5) Tracked leader on inner, 3rd halfway, ridden in 4th entering straight, no impression from 2 out, kept on one pace, 4th of 7, 10l behind Osirixamix (11-5) at Fairyhouse 2m hcp hdl 8Evens30 sft.
Copsiano (IRE) 33-1 (11-6) Chased leaders, lost place before 5 out, pulled up after next, in a race won by Jack Absolute (11-0) at Cork 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 hvy, 15 ran.
Jerry's Agent (IRE) 50-1 (11-2) Always towards rear, never a factor, 8th of 9, 22l behind Quiscover Fontaine (11-2) at Leopardstown 2m hdl gd in Dec.
Blue Cannon (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, 4th 2 out, no impression approaching last, kept on one pace, 4th of 8, 4l behind His Excellency (10-12) at Leopardstown 2m 3yo hdl Grd 2 (1) sft in Dec.
Masked Phantom (IRE) 7-2fav (11-0) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, ridden and dropped to 7th 2 out, no impression in 6th before last, kept on one pace, 4th of 13, 17l behind Star Of Aragon (11-0) at Leopardstown 2m nov hcp hdl 80-116 gd in Dec.
Black Mac (IRE) 9-4fav (11-1) Chased leaders, took keen hold, went 2nd 3 out, soon under pressure, gradually weakened, 2nd of 4, 21l behind Not Til Monday (11-3) at Fakenham 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft.
Selskar (IRE) 25-1 (11-8) Mistake and unseated rider 2nd, in a race won by Profit Margin (10-12) at Fairyhouse 2m 5f cnd hcp chs (0-109), 16 ran.
