rear of mid-division, dropped towards rear and not fluent at 2nd, under pressure in 5th before 2 out where slight mistake, weakened before last
tracked leader in 2nd, 3rd after 4 out, not fluent 3 out, soon niggled along in 4th, no impression after 2 out, kept on same pace in moderate 3rd closing stages
led, not fluent at 1st, headed 3 out, led after 3 out, headed and no impression on leader before last, kept on same pace run-in, no chance with winner
ran freely in rear, soon slightly detached, detached after 2nd, weakened before 4 out, never a factor, completely tailed off
mid-division on outer, improved to 2nd after 4 out, led narrowly 3 out, headed after 3 out, dropped to 3rd 2 out, not fluent last, one paced in moderate 4th closing stages
held up towards rear, progress at 2nd, took closer order at 3rd, closed in 3rd after 3 out, 2nd 2 out, led and asserted before last, kept on well, easily
Bob Olinger announced his presence on the big stage when landing the Grade 1 Lawlor's Of Naas Novice Hurdle two years ago before landing the Ballymore at Cheltenham. A very fortunate winner over fences back there last March, he reverted to hurdles with a good run behind Home By The Lee in a Navan Grade 2 over 2m4f but was very disappointing behind that winner over three miles at Leopardstown when Meet And Greet finished third. He has to concede 7lb to ECHOES IN RAIN, who is racing over her best trip and was in superb form on the Flat during the summer and is a Grade 1 winner over timber, and that may prove beyond him. Darasso gained the twelfth victory of his career when scoring over fences at Thurles and though unsuited by the race conditions he won this a year ago when also conceding weight all round.
Darasso (FR) 11-10fav (11-4) Raced in 4th, not fluent 3rd, went 3rd before 4 out, pushed along and closed on front pair after 2 out, challenged in 2nd before last, ridden to lead run-in and kept on well, won at Thurles 2m 6f lst (1) Yielding in Dec beating Escaria Ten (11-0) by 2l, 5 ran.
Bob Olinger (IRE) 7-4fav (11-10) Held up early, mid-division from 3rd, not fluent 4 out and slight mistake 3 out, progress into 4th 2 out, ridden after 2 out, soon no impression on leaders, kept on one pace, 5th of 11, 18 1/2l behind Home By The Lee (11-10) at Leopardstown 3m (1) sft in Dec.
Cash Back (FR) 6-1 (11-11) Took keen hold towards rear, pushed along from 3 out, soon no impression and eased, 13th of 18, dist behind Watch House Cross (11-2) at Naas 2m 4f hcp Yielding - Soft in Nov.
Derry Lad (IRE) 10-3fav (10-0) Held up, progress 3f out, ridden into moderate 7th 2f out, kept on one pace from over 1f out, 6th of 26, 9l behind Mr Rango (10-1) at Curragh 1m 2f hcp Soft - Heavy in Oct.
Meet And Greet (IRE) 50-1 (11-10) Settled behind leaders, 5th halfway, ridden 2 out, no impression in 4th entering straight, stayed on run-in, 3rd close home, 3rd of 11, 3 1/2l behind Home By The Lee (11-10) at Leopardstown 3m (1) sft in Dec.
Echoes In Rain (FR) 9-1 (11-3) In rear, ran freely, 8th after 5th, progress to 5th 2 out where mistake and fell, at Fairyhouse 2m 4f (1) sft in Dec.
