led, slight mistake 10th, joined 12th, just in front 2 out and jumped left, asserted from before last where slight mistake, pushed out briefly, stayed on well, comfortably
tracked leader, on terms 12th, pushed along approaching straight, soon under pressure and headed before 2 out, no impression from before last, eased closing stages
in rear, not fluent 11th, no impression approaching 4 out, pushed along from next, one pace
chased leaders in 3rd, slight mistake 10th, no impression approaching 4 out, pushed along from next, bad mistake last, one pace
BALLYCHORUS has claims to being the unluckiest horse in Ireland having fallen at the last when disputing the lead in major handicaps at Navan and Leopardstown. She'd won three of her previous four starts and though her jumping has to be a problem she faces a much less stiffer test here. Emcon also fell last time but that was in a Grade 2 and she'd been narrowly beaten at Grade 3 level at Navan previously so she looks the most likely to take advantage if the selection's jumping isn't up to scratch. Cinder Rua had been going well in handicaps over fences before landing a maiden hurdle at Ayr but she'll need to find a few more gears against the top pair while though Corporate Box is a tough and consistent handicapper she has plenty to do under the race conditions.
Ballychorus (IRE) 16-1 (10-12) Chased leaders and prominent early, 6th halfway, progress into 3rd 4 out, ridden in 6th entering straight, stayed on to challenge last where fell, at Leopardstown 3m hvy in Dec.
Emcon (IRE) 10-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, 3rd when fell 4th, at Thurles 2m 4f (1) sft in Jan.
Cinder Rua (IRE) 4-1 (11-2) Held up in rear, headway before 3 out, mistake 2 out, led before last, kept on well, won at Ayr 3m mdn (5) hvy in Jan beating Conquer Gold (11-2) by 4l, 5 ran.
Corporate Box (IRE) 7-1 (11-11) Chased leaders, 6th halfway, 3rd 4 out, ridden before next, under pressure in 5th 2 out, kept on one pace to dispute 3rd run-in, just denied for 3rd at line, 4th of 15, 19 1/4l behind Sunsetstorise (11-5) at Fairyhouse 2m 5f hcp Soft - Heavy in Jan.
