settled in rear, in touch entering straight, ridden and no impression in 5th before last, kept on one pace
tracked leader mainly 2nd, slight mistake 3 out, headway to lead approaching last, soon strongly pressed and headed early run-in, no extra in 3rd
led, strongly pressed and headed approaching last, soon no extra
settled in 4th, switched left to challenge approaching last, ridden and every chance run-in, not quite match winner closing stages
tracked leader mainly 3rd, ridden to challenge approaching last, led early run-in, soon strongly pressed, kept on well under pressure to just prevail
Heavy ground will suit Laganbank, who disappointed behind Il Fenomeno in a Grade 3 at Navan last time and is doubly penalised. Runner-up that day was DYLAN ROSS and Noel Meade's charge has to be the form pick on that run. The progressive Ballysteen faces better rivals than when landing a maiden at Cork as does Casa Jove, who produced a real shock to score at Clonmel. Lord Windermere was a 25/1 chance when beating Golanbrook at Thurles but there was no fluke about the victory and there's more to come.
Laganbank (IRE) 4-1 (11-5) Chased leaders in 3rd, improved to challenge 3 out, soon led, ridden and headed 2 out, no extra in 4th when mistake last, eased, last of 6, 15l behind Il Fenomeno (11-1) at Navan 2m nov hdl Grd 3 (1) in Nov.
Ballysteen (IRE) 7-4fav (11-12) Tracked leader in 2nd, good headway to lead after 3 out, asserted before last and kept on well, comfortably, won at Cork 2m mdn hdl in Nov beating Captain Ocana (11-12) by 2 3/4l, 10 ran.
Casa Jove (IRE) 40-1 (11-4) Led and disputed, led from 3 out, pressed and joined 2 out, stayed on best run-in to edge ahead again closing stages, won at Clonmel 2m mdn hdl sft in Oct beating Mississippi River (11-12) by nk, 16 ran.
Dylan Ross (IRE) 2-1 (11-1) Chased leaders in 4th, closer in 3rd entering straight, improved to challenge 2 out, ridden in 2nd and no extra last, kept on same pace run-in, 2nd of 6, 1 3/4l behind Il Fenomeno (11-1) at Navan 2m nov hdl Grd 3 (1) in Nov.
Lord Windermere (IRE) 25-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, joined issue approaching 3 out, led 2 out and asserted at last, kept on well run-in, won at Thurles 2m 5yo mdn hdl sft in Nov beating Golanbrook (11-12) by 7l, 10 ran.
