towards rear, pushed along briefly after 5th, improved 8th, prominent and still travelling smoothly straight, on terms from 2 out, led before last, pushed out and stayed on best run-in
tracked leaders, 5th from 5th, improved to get on terms before 2 out, headed before last, no extra in 5th run-in
tracked leaders, 3rd from 5th, lost place before 3 out, progress again to be prominent from before last, kept on without matching 1st 2 run-in
prominent, 2nd from 5th, not fluent 8th, kept on without matching principals from last
held up towards rear, a little keen, mistake 8th, closed 3 out, tracked leaders travelling smoothly straight, kept on without matching winner run-in
soon led, headed before 2 out where not fluent, soon no extra
close up and disputed lead early, dropped to 7th from 5th, last and pushed along 7th, no impression before straight
soon towards rear, pushed along at stages, 6th from 5th, no impression towards rear again before straight, soon no extra
soon tracked leaders, 4th from 5th, not fluent 9th, closed up 3 out, no extra approaching last
BLACK ZERO has gone up 4lb for his victory over the minimum here earlier this month but he's won off the same mark over this trip so can add to his tally of victories. Fairy Island has yet to win and has an absence to overcome while it's two years since the veteran Kilmurry Kid won a race. Ballycahane has been running poorly and though Mr Goodenough, another old-timer, is still capable of popping up though he hasn't run since April. The Gatechecker may prove the main threat as, though he's yet to reach a place in four starts over regulation fences, he won his only start between the flags and has also won a bumper and scored over hurdles.
The Gatechecker (IRE) 10-1 (11-12) Towards rear, 10th after 6th, headway to 5th after 4 out, no impression after 2 out, bad mistake at last, kept on one pace, 5th of 15, 18 1/2l behind Back Before Dawn (11-5) at Thurles 3m 1f hcp sft in Dec.
Black Zero (IRE) 7-1 (9-11) Took keen hold, tracked leaders, closer in 2nd from 3 out, still travelling smoothly straight, led before 2 out, ridden betwen last 2, kept on well run-in, won at Naas 2m hcp sft in Jan beating Pulled Mussel (10-0) by 1 3/4l, 9 ran.
Mr Goodenough (IRE) 40-1 (9-10) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, pulled up quickly after 5 out, saddled slipped, at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp Good - Yielding in Apr.
Ballycahane (IRE) 8-1 (10-13) Rear of mid-division, mistake 2nd and pushed along briefly next, no impression from 4 out, never a factor, 7th of 10, 26l behind Show And Go (11-8) at Punchestown 2m hcp sft in Dec.
Fairy Island (IRE) 8-1 (10-7) Soon chased leaders, 5th at 6th, slight mistake 10th, closed 12th, led 3 out, joined when bad mistake 2 out, soon headed, no impression in 3rd at last, one pace, 3rd of 9, 5 1/2l behind Moss Grove (10-1) at Punchestown 2m 7f hcp Yielding in Oct.
Kilmurry Kid (IRE) 16-1 (11-9) Prominent, pecked slightly 5th, fell 9th, at Tramore 2m 5f hcp Soft - Heavy in Jan.
Duty Dance (IRE) 20-1 (10-4) Always behind, slight mistake 6th, behind and pulled up before 2 out, at Limerick 3m hcp hvy in Dec.
Da Baba Elephant (IRE) 16-1 (9-12) Rear of mid-division, slight mistake 5th, weakened from 7th, never a factor, 15th of 17, dist behind Tulpar (10-10) at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp Soft - Heavy in Jan.
Taboo (IRE) 12-1 (10-1) Soon towards rear, mistake and unseated rider 4th, at Tramore 2m 5f hcp Soft - Heavy in Jan.
