made all and jumped well, took keen hold early, pushed along 2 out, pressed before last, stayed on well inside final furlong
tracked leader in 2nd, slight mistakes 5th and again at 6th where dropped to 3rd, 2nd again 4 out, ridden and dropped to 4th next, soon no impression on leaders in moderate 4th
tracked leaders, close 4th 4 out, went 2nd next, soon pushed along, ridden in 3rd after 2 out, soon no impression on leaders
always last and always trailing, slight mistake 3rd, no impression from 4 out, tailed off
tracked leaders, went 2nd at 6th, 3rd 4 out, pushed along in 3rd 3 out, went 2nd and ridden after 2 out, pressed winner before last, kept on same pace inside final furlong
The five-year-old A PLUS TARD was receiving 7lb when beating Duc Des Genievres over 3l at Naas in December so should have no problems with the latter, who undoubtedly improved later culminating in a victory in the Arkle at Cheltenham. The selection also won at the Festival, landing a Listed handicap by 16l so gets the nod with race conditions in his favour. Ballyoisin has been alternating between hurdles and fences but is much better over the bigger obstacles as his victory in a Grade B handicap at Killarney in August suggests. The stable companions Hardline, a Grade 1 winner at Limerick in December, and Doctor Phoenix, are not out of this though the latter has a lot to do.
Ballyoisin (IRE) 15-8 (11-0) Disputed early, tracked leader in 2nd and clear of remainder, 3rd and slight mistake 4 out, soon dropped to rear and not fluent next, weakened and eased, tailed off, last of 6, dist behind Davids Charm (11-0) at Tipperary 2m (1) gd in Oct.
Duc Des Genievres (FR) 5-2 (11-10) Soon raced in 4th, slightly impeded 3rd, soon closed, pecked 6th, on terms after 4 out, led 3 out, soon joined, headed before 2 out, no extra approaching last in 3rd, 3rd of 7, 20 1/4l behind Chacun Pour Soi (11-10) at Punchestown 2m (1) gf in May.
Hardline (IRE) 7-1 (11-10) Rear of mid-division, closer in mid-division at halfway, 6th when badly hampered and left 5th 4 out, ridden in 5th at next, went moderate 2nd 2 out, kept on without threatening winner from last, 2nd of 12, 6 1/2l behind Real Steel (11-10) at Punchestown 2m 5f hcp Good - Yielding in May.
Doctor Phoenix (IRE) 20-1 (11-10) Waited with, soon towards rear, no impression approaching 4 out, last of 11, dist behind Lakemilan (10-7) at Cork 2m 2f hcp Yielding in Oct.
A Plus Tard (FR) 9-4 (11-5) Chased leaders, closed up 5 out, ridden along approaching 3 out, 3rd approaching straight, 2nd 2 out, soon no impression, dropped to 3rd again and kept on same pace run-in, 3rd of 8, 14 1/4l behind Delta Work (11-10) at Punchestown 3m 1f (1) Yielding - Soft in Apr.
