The inaugural running of this last year was won by an outsider so don't be surprised whatever turns up. Hardy Eustace may be a teenager but the former champion hurdler is still capable of a good turn of foot as he demonstrated when runner-up over hurdles here on New Year's Eve. It's unlikely he will have the pace of FORCE OF HABIT, however, as Dermot Weld's lightly-raced charge warmed up for this by coming with a late run to score over 1m5f at Dundalk last week. Bold Fencer ran a cracking race behind Golden Kite over fences at Tramore last week and though fit enough is still a maiden after 21 career starts. Keelaghan has plenty of winning form to his credit and it would be no surprise to see Tony Martin's charge take a hand in this charity event.
Ten Fires (GER) 13-2 (10-7) In touch, 6th halfway, 4th after 4 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace under pressure, 3rd of 20, 10l behind Saddlers Storm (10-9) at Navan 3m nov chs in Mar.
Force Of Habit 7-2fav (9-7) Mid-division on inner, 8th approaching straight, 6th 2f out, headway and switched right to challenge over 1f out, stayed on gamely under pressure to lead on line, won at Dundalk 1m 3f Handicap (47-60) (4yo+) pol beating Murtagh (8-10) by shd, 14 ran.
Long Wait (IRE) 8-1 (9-4) Mid-division, 7th halfway, ridden and no extra over 2f out, 11th of 14, 11l behind Orlando Dawn (9-12) at Listowel 6f 3yo hcp 47-70 sft in Sep.
Mcswynes Bay (IRE) 16-1 (10-9) Mid-division, 8th before 3 out, soon ridden, no extra straight, 6th of 17, 23l behind The Sneezer (11-0) at Thurles 2m 6f hcp hdl 80-95 gd in Oct.
Prospectorous (IRE) 5-1 (9-5) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, ridden entering straight, soon no extra, 9th of 15, 17l behind Caltra Princess (8-5) at Gowran Park 1m 2f 3yo app hcp 0-80 gs in Aug '07.
Rakamasi 9-4fav (10-7) Held up, 5th when mistake 6 out, ridden 4 out, soon weakened, pulled up after 3 out, in a race won by Blaze Trailer (11-11) at Downpatrick 2m 5f hcp chs 0-102 in Mar, 7 ran.
Split Ear (IRE) 10-1 (11-5) Towards rear early, progress 5 out, soon 5th, 4th after 3 out, no impression and kept on same pace under pressure from before 2 out, 4th of 16, 20l behind Without The Bop (11-9) at Tramore 2m 4f hcp hdl 80-95 hvy in Dec.
Bold Fencer (IRE) 25-1 (9-5) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden approaching 2 out, stayed on to 2nd last, kept on run-in, not reach winner, 2nd of 15, 3/4l behind Golden Kite (11-7) at Tramore 2m 6f Conditionals Handicap Chase (0-123) (5yo+) gf.
Castle Major (IRE) 33-1 (10-11) Chased leaders, no impression and kept on same pace from 3 out, 6th of 18, 26l behind Rock The Bock (11-12) at Clonmel 2m mdn hdl in Feb.
Cry Presto (USA) 25-1 (8-12) Always behind, 13th of 14, 12l behind Force Of Habit (9-7) at Dundalk 1m 3f Handicap (47-60) (4yo+) pol.
Hardy Eustace (IRE) 12-1 (8-1) Led, headed approaching straight, soon no extra, 11th of 21, 17l behind Sandymount Earl (9-3) at Curragh 2m stks gs in Oct '07.
Inishlacken (IRE) 16-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders in 8th, progress 5 out, 4th next, soon ridden and one pace, 7th of 19, 26l behind Our Gar (11-12) at Navan 2m 4f mdn hdl in Mar.
Korean (FR) (9-2) 9th of 16, 7l behind Doric (9-2) at 7f stk sft in Oct '03.
Maple Court (IRE) 25-1 (10-5) Mid-division, weakened before 4 out, completely tailed off, 17th of 19, well behind Hoochie Mama (10-7) at Naas 3m Handicap Hurdle (80-109) (4yo+) in Mar.
Paramount (FR) 9-1 (9-11) Mid-division, no extra from early straight, 11th of 14, 16l behind Captain Cole (9-13) at Dundalk 1m 4f app hcp 50-75 pol in Nov.
Reportage (USA) 14-1 (9-5) Never better than mid-division, 8th over 3f out, soon no impression, 8th of 11, 19l behind Few Are Chosen (9-9) at Galway 1m hcp 50-80 hvy in Aug.
Salaasa (USA) 20-1 (10-9) Led and disputed, headed after halfway, weakened from 4f out, tailed off, 14th of 15, well behind Banna Man (11-3) at Killarney 1m 4f ladies hcp 0-70 gs in May.
Save My Blushes 9-1 (9-3) Pushed along to be soon prominent, led over 4f out, headed before straight, soon no impression, 8th of 16, 6l behind No One Tells Me (9-6) at Limerick 1m 3f hcp 50-70.
Tabaahi (IRE) 16-1 (9-0) In touch, ridden over 3f out, soon lost place, 8th of 11, 15l behind Dazzling Begum (8-9) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Dec.
Aoife Costa (IRE) 16-1 (10-13) Always towards rear, tailed off, 11th of 17, well behind Operation Houdini (11-7) at Galway 2m 6f hcp chs sft in Oct.
Be Smart (IRE) 33-1 (9-10) Rear of mid-division, weakened entering straight, last of 14, 13l behind Lime Tree Valley (10-0) at Dundalk 1m hcp 0-80 pol in Apr '09.
Carbonia (IRE) 16-1 (8-4) Tracked leader in 2nd, ridden from 4f out, weakened straight, last of 10, 19l behind Penthesilea Eile (8-7) at Cork 1m 2f hcp 60-90 in Aug.
Rumreelic (IRE) 33-1 (10-9) Always towards rear, 7th of 10, 36l behind Bringbackthebiff (11-10) at Tramore 2m 6f chs gf.
Strike An Ark (IRE) 7-1 (9-10) Towards rear, 9th under 3f out, no impression under pressure from 2f out, last of 10, 23l behind Another Jayjay (9-0) at Tramore 1m 4f hcp 50-80 gd in Aug.
Sky Captain (IRE) 6-1 (11-1) Raced in close 2nd, no impression under pressure and kept on same pace from 2 out, 6th of 11, 21l behind Cheer Up (10-7) at Cork 2m hcp hdl 8Evens16 hvy.
Saddle My Dream (IRE) 33-1 (11-1) Chased leaders, went 4th 4 out, 5th and no extra after next, weakened in straight, 9th of 18, 43l behind Misala (11-4) at Thurles 2m mdn hdl (6yo+) sft in Feb.
Elzeko (IRE) 20-1 (10-10) Towards rear, no danger when fell last, in a race won by Barney King (11-2) at Down Royal 2m 4f cond hcp hdl 80-95 gd in Mar, 20 ran.
Keelaghan (IRE) 6-1 (8-5) Always towards rear, 10th of 13, 7l behind Athlumney Lad (8-8) at Curragh 1m 6f hcp gf in Sep '07.
