mid-division, chased leaders from 5th, soon moderate 4th, closer at 9th, slight mistake 6 out, ridden and no extra 4 out
mid-division, pecked 1st, slight mistake 8th, ridden briefly in 7th before 3 out, slight mistake 3 out, ridden in 4th next, no impression entering straight, kept on one pace in moderate 3rd before last
always towards rear, bad mistake 10th, mistake 5 out, weakened and pulled up before 2 out
led, slight mistake 1st and headed briefly, went clear with nearest pursuer from 6th, mistake 8th and headed, reduced advantage next, slight mistake 5 out, ridden and no extra 3 out
held up towards rear, fell 8th
held up towards rear, progress into 3rd before 3 out, ridden to press leader entering straight, no extra in 2nd before last, kept on same pace
chased leaders, 2nd from 4th, clear of field from 6th, led 8th, reduced advantage next, ridden and pressed entering straight, asserted before last, kept on well
settled behind leaders, mid-division halfway, towards rear and slight mistake 5 out, ridden and no extra next
chased leaders, moderate 3rd from 6th, closer at 9th, slight mistake 5 out, 2nd before next, challenge approaching 3 out, ridden in 2nd before 2 out, no extra in 3rd entering straight, kept on one pace
chased leaders early, mid-division from 5th, closer in 4th 6 out, ridden 3 out, no extra before next
led briefly 1st, soon chased leaders, mid-division from 5th, ridden and closer 3 out, under pressure in 5th 2 out, no extra entering straight
This is billed as the Amateur National and Derek O'Connor has ridden the winner of three of the last six. He's on board GLENLOE (NAP) for Gordon Elliott and his mount has raced in very much better company with a close fourth in a Grade B handicap at Limerick last month suggesting he's ready to gain his first success over fences. The stable also run Alpha Des Obeaux, who hasn't won for a very long time and has been mainly confined to banks courses. Nobody Home hasn't been running badly and is 3lb lower than his last victory but the main threat could come from Exit To The West. Runner-up to the prolific Glenquin Castle at Punchestown, she made too many mistakes at Limerick though was found to have lost a shoe.
Alpha Des Obeaux (FR) 12-1 (10-7) Towards rear, bit closer in mid-division 12th, towards rear when unseated rider 27th, at Cheltenham 3m 6f hcp (2) gs in Dec.
Glenloe (IRE) 8-1 (10-8) Held up towards rear, 12th halfway, mistake 7th, slight mistake 9th, mistake and pushed along next, ridden and no impression in 4th 2 out, kept on one pace, 4th of 14, 6 1/4l behind Spyglass Hill (11-5) at Limerick 2m 4f hcp hvy in Dec.
Ah Littleluck (IRE) 22-1 (11-9) Chased leader and fell 1st, at Punchestown 2m 7f hcp hvy in Dec.
Glorious Galway (IRE) 50-1 (11-5) Prominent, 2nd after 2nd, dropped to 4th after 8th, 3rd before 9th, under pressure and lost place after 3 out, soon weakened, 8th of 10, dist behind Eric Bloodaxe (11-5) at Limerick 2m 7f (1) hvy in Dec.
Montagne D'Argent (IRE) 125-1 (9-12) Tracked leaders, slight mistake 2nd, ridden and dropped to 9th 3 out, no impression, 7th of 12, dist behind Dunvegan (11-0) at Fairyhouse 2m 1f hcp sft in Jan.
Exit To The West (IRE) 9-2 (10-9) Mid-division early, slow jump 3rd, 12th approaching halfway, soon headway, not fluent 3 out and no impression, soon pulled up, at Limerick 2m 4f hcp hvy in Dec.
John Adams (IRE) 17-2 (11-5) Tracked leaders early, disputed lead at 1st and led before next, not fluent 3rd, mistake and unseated rider 5 out, at Limerick 3m hcp hvy in Dec.
Mick The Jiver 9-2 (11-8) Tracked leaders, disputed lead 3rd until headed after next, 2nd halfway, ridden in 3rd when mistake 2 out, soon no impression, mistake last, no extra, 4th of 11, 11 3/4l behind Wishmoor (11-6) at Limerick 2m 7f hcp hvy in Dec.
Nobody Home (IRE) 15-2 (11-1) Tracked leaders in moderate 3rd, ridden in moderate 5th before 2 out, no impression, 5th of 11, 8l behind Lord Lariat (11-11) at Fairyhouse 2m 5f hcp gd in Nov.
Aherlow (IRE) 40-1 (11-1) Mid-division, ridden into 6th before 4 out, no extra 3 out, moderate 9th entering straight, unseated rider last, at Punchestown 3m 2f hcp Yielding - Soft in Dec.
Thehairyfella (IRE) 40-1 (11-0) Rear of mid-division, never a factor, no extra after 4 out, well behind when pulled up before last, at Thurles 3m 1f hcp gd in Dec.
