mid-division, took keen hold, hampered at 1st, ridden in 6th 2 out, no impression
tracked leaders, jumped slightly left and unseated rider at 3rd
tracked leaders, 4th 4 out, ridden in 5th 2 out, soon no impression
in rear, slight mistake 3rd, progress on outer 4 out, 3rd on outer when slight mistake 2 out, soon ridden and weakened
rear of mid-division, ridden entering straight, no impression when bad mistake 2 out
tracked leaders, under pressure in 4th when slight mistake 2 out, weakened
mid-division, headway into 2nd 3 out, led next, soon ridden, headed after last, dropped to 3rd and no extra inside final furlong
mid-division, no impression from 3 out, never a factor
mid-division, jumped left at 1st, closer in 5th on outer 4 out, ridden and weakened from next
mid-division, 8th 4 out, no impression from 2 out, kept on same pace
mid-division, 7th 4 out, headway entering straight, pushed along from 2 out, headway to lead after last, soon ridden and strongly pressed, joined inside final furlong, headed close home and no impression on cheeky winner
led, joined 4th, led again from 6th, ridden and headed 2 out, soon no impression on leaders
always towards rear, hampered at 1st, slight mistake next, pushed along at 5th, no impression from 5 out
mid-division, dropped to rear and under pressure at 7th, behind and pulled up before 3 out
rear of mid-division, headway on outer entering straight, went 3rd travelling well at last, pushed along and briefly short of room bypassing usual last fence, disputed lead inside final furlong, led under hands and heels close home, cheekily
always towards rear, never a factor
tracked leaders, improved to dispute lead from 4th, headed 6th, weakened from 3 out
Goose Man is the only course and distance winner in the line-up having won a novices' chase last December before completing a double the following month. He makes his handicap debut after a long break and this looks a tough assignment. Wishmoor completed a handicap double at the beginning of the year and was returning from a long break when unseating Rachael Blackmore at the third at Gowran, a race eventually won by Drumconnor Lad, who has also won around here. Jett made too many mistakes in that Gowran contest but still managed to finish third while Solomn Grundy, three times a winner over hurdles in the UK, has joined Henry De Bromhead and could be on a fair mark. Gentleman Duke hasn't won for a long time and generally fails in the grade and DE NAME ESCAPES ME (NAP) looks so well handicapped he's difficult to oppose. Noel Meade's charge has been in excellent form over hurdles in recent weeks and, only lightly-raced over fences, is on a 23lb lower mark compared to his rating over timber.
Jett (IRE) 11-4 (11-5) A little keen, slight mistake 2nd, chased leaders, soon 3rd, pushed along briefly in 4th after 10th, soon not go with leaders and pushed along again, some headway but no impression from 2 out, kept on same pace without threatening, 3rd of 6, 8 1/4l behind Drumconnor Lad (11-1) at Gowran Park 2m 4f Yielding in Nov.
Goulane Chosen (IRE) 40-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, soon 3rd, moderate 4th before 9th, pushed along from 4 out, lost position into straight, dropped to rear before 2 out, tailed off, last of 7, dist behind Ballyoisin (11-2) at Killarney 2m 5f (1) gd in May.
Mr Diablo (IRE) 50-1 (10-7) Tracked leaders, led from 8th, joined from 10th led again 4 out, ridden and headed after 2 out, no impression on winner at last, kept on same pace in 2nd run-in, 2nd of 25, 4 1/2l behind Tout Est Permis (10-12) at Navan 3m hcp gd in Nov.
Eight Till Late (IRE) 20-1 (10-8) Towards rear, slight mistake 9th, progress into mid-division when slight mistake 6 out, 8th 4 out, ridden and no impression from next, 7th of 25, 24 1/4l behind Tout Est Permis (10-12) at Navan 3m hcp gd in Nov.
Goose Man (IRE) 10-11fav (11-7) Tracked leader, 2nd halfway, headway to dispute 4 out and led after next, mistake and headed 2 out, pushed along and led again run-in, ridden and kept on well, edged right close home, won at Down Royal 2m hvy in Jan beating Robin Des Mana (11-10) by 1 3/4l, 4 ran.
Drumconnor Lad (IRE) 9-1 (11-1) Soon raced in 2nd, challenged from before 2 out, gained narrow lead last, stayed on well to assert run-in, won at Gowran Park 2m 4f Yielding in Nov beating Last Goodbye (11-6) by 3 3/4l, 6 ran.
Burren Life (IRE) 10-3 (11-12) Prominent, 3rd after 6th, slight mistake next, closed up approaching straight, challenged and slight mistake 3 out, switched right before 2 out, slight mistake last and one pace, 4th of 13, 4 3/4l behind Dr Mikey (11-12) at Gowran Park 2m 4f Yielding in Nov.
Landofhopeandglory (IRE) 33-1 (11-10) Raced in 11th early, slight mistake 4th, no extra and eased from before 2 out, completely tailed off, 16th of 19, dist behind Low Sun (10-2) at Fairyhouse 2m hcp sft in Apr.
Wishmoor (IRE) 3-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders, fell 3rd, at Gowran Park 2m 4f Yielding in Nov.
Scoir Mear (IRE) 16-1 (11-12) Always towards rear, never a factor, slight mistake 9th, pushed along and detached after 5 out, weakened, 7th of 9, dist behind Ben Dundee (11-12) at Punchestown 2m 4f gd in Nov.
Solomn Grundy (IRE) 6-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, headway 4 out, led when not fluent 2 out, clear flat, comfortably, won at Ffos Las 3m hcp (3) sft in Apr beating Laugharne (10-7) by 2 1/2l, 10 ran.
Kylecrue (IRE) 50-1 (9-13) Led, joined at 6th, headed at 8th, 5th 4 out, soon ridden and no impression, 8th of 25, 27 3/4l behind Tout Est Permis (10-12) at Navan 3m hcp gd in Nov.
Lamb Or Cod (IRE) 20-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders on inside, pushed along after 9th, lost place before next, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up before 5 out, at Ffos Las 3m hcp (3) gf in Jul.
Gentleman Duke (IRE) 6-1 (10-10) Chased leaders, mistake 4th, 5th halfway, ridden and no impression entering straight, no extra 2 out, 7th of 10, 17l behind Neddyvaughan (10-2) at Wexford 2m 4f hcp Yielding - Soft in Oct.
De Name Escapes Me (IRE) 3-1jfav (11-5) Tracked leaders on outer, headway into 3rd travelling well 3 out, led next, soon ridden, strongly pressed at last, headed inside final furlong, kept on same pace close home, 2nd of 13, 2 1/2l behind Walk To Freedom (10-12) at Navan 2m 7f hcp gd in Nov.
Aurora Bell (IRE) 12-1 (9-10) Jumped badly right 1st and rider lost irons, continued in mid-division without irons, hampered 6th, improved into 3rd 6 out, dispute briefly next, ridden and no extra entering straight, 10th of 13, dist behind Kilcarry Bridge (10-2) at Killarney 2m 5f hcp gd in Aug.
Presenting Mahler (IRE) 16-1 (10-9) Led, soon well clear and jumped left, lead a little reduced 4 out, joined 2 out, soon headed, dropped to 4th at last and one pace run-in, 4th of 8, 6 3/4l behind Mrs Lovett (10-12) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f hcp gd in Dec.
