It’s no surprise that Marshalled sports the McManus’ first colours but a race at Clonmel last month rather fell into his lap and he has 7lb more to carry here, though remains unexposed. Midland Millie was well beaten off this mark at Naas last month having placed in her previous two but Key Commander showed improvement at Limerick and is making his handicap debut. EMPIRE BURLEQUE was eased considerably behind another Gigginstown runner, Fakir, at Limerick last month. That wasn’t his true running and he could come good in a race like this if first-time blinkers have the desired effect.
Dawson's Gate (IRE) 66-1 (11-12) Rear of mid-division on outer, no impression from 3 out, hampered 2 out, never a factor, 10th of 19, 34 1/4l behind Home By The Lee (11-9) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f mdn Yielding in Jan.
Rare Conor (IRE) 25-1 (10-10) Chased leaders, closed up to be prominent before 2 out, no extra and one pace straight, 8th of 25, 14 1/4l behind Fauguernon (11-0) at Leopardstown 2m hcp sft in Dec.
Empire Burleque (IRE) 8-1 (11-0) In touch, took closer order at 3rd, 2nd at 5th, 4th after 6th, lost place and not fluent 3 out, soon under pressure and dropped to rear, weakened and eased before 2 out, last of 8, 34 1/4l behind Fakir (11-7) at Limerick 2m Soft - Heavy in Dec.
Key Commander (IRE) 11-2 (11-9) Chased leader, 8th after 6th, progress after 3 out, 5th 2 out, ran on run-in to 3rd close home, never nearer, 3rd of 17, 9 1/2l behind Eleazar Des Neiges (11-12) at Limerick 2m 3f mdn Soft - Heavy in Dec.
Marshalled (IRE) 12-1 (11-4) Mid-division, slight mistake 3rd, pushed along and some headway approaching straight, left 2nd 2 out, ridden and led run-in, kept on, won at Clonmel 2m hcp sft in Dec beating Impressive Duke (10-5) by 3/4l, 14 ran.
Tashman (IRE) 33-1 (10-10) Waited with, slight mistake 1st, not fluent 4th, impeded 7th, soon one pace, 10th of 23, dist behind Dalton Highway (11-7) at Leopardstown 2m 4f hcp sft in Dec.
Sweet Sting (IRE) 33-1 (11-7) Towards rear on outer, some modest progress after 3 out, no impression, never a factor, 17th of 25, dist behind Theatre World (11-8) at Navan 2m 6f hcp gd in Sep.
Trendsetter (IRE) 33-1 (10-8) Held up behind, headway on inside 6th, ridden after 2 out, weakened before last, 12th of 16, dist behind Duc De Beauchene (11-6) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Balkos (FR) 20-1 (10-13) Mid-division, some headway on inner after 4 out, 7th next, no impression after 2 out, no extra, kept on one pace, 6th of 17, 28 1/2l behind Wolfofallstreets (10-8) at Thurles 2m hcp sft in Nov.
Midland Millie (IRE) 13-2 (11-6) Mid-division on inner, mistake at 1st, weakened from 3f out, 20th of 25, dist behind All About Alfie (11-2) at Naas 2m 3f hcp sft in Dec.
Paula's Prayer (IRE) 33-1 (11-5) Towards rear, pushed along in rear of mid-division after 3 out, no impression from next, no extra, never a factor, 10th of 18, 35 1/4l behind The Chapel Field (11-4) at Thurles 2m hcp sft in Nov.
Cousin Harry (IRE) 40-1 (11-9) In rear, 17th after 6th, some progress after 3 out, weakened before 2 out, never a factor, 11th of 17, dist behind Eleazar Des Neiges (11-12) at Limerick 2m 3f mdn Soft - Heavy in Dec.
Northern Emperor (IRE) 16-1 (10-10) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, headway to dispute 5 out, ridden and lost place after 3 out, 10th before 2 out, kept on one pace, 6th of 16, 19 3/4l behind Frere Fontaine (10-11) at Limerick 2m 5f hcp hvy in Dec.
Robin Des Ruby (IRE) 100-1 (10-9) Always towards rear, ridden and no extra after 3 out, 10th of 14, dist behind Saint Roi (11-2) at Tramore 2m mdn sft in Jan.
