led or disputed lead, headed after 3rd, left in lead after 7th, headed 5 out and mistake next, 3rd 3 out, pushed along approaching next and soon no impression, kept on one pace
tracked leaders, 4th halfway, dropped towards rear approaching 6 out, pushed along and detached 4 out, weakened, tailed off
towards rear, hampered 7th and dropped to rear, some headway 4 out and 5th next, pushed along in 3rd and fell 2 out
tracked leaders, went 2nd halfway and led 5 out, headed briefly 2 out, pushed along approaching last and drew clear run-in
prominent and disputed lead, led after 3rd, blundered and unseated rider 7th
held up towards rear, ran freely, slight mistake 3rd, headway 9th, 2nd 3 out and led briefly next, soon ridden and no impression on winner run-in, kept on one pace
mid-division, slow 4th, 5th halfway, checked after 3 out, left 4th next and soon no impression, no extra, kept on one pace
rear of mid-division, headway on outer 4th and 3rd halfway, dropped towards rear after 6 out, pushed along and detached approaching 3 out, weakened, tailed off
Last Man Standing won over hurdles here and made a bright start over fences at Cork. He didn't run as well at Navan next time and needs a thorough test of stamina so could do with some rain. The Conditional finished in front of him in that latter event and has also won over timber here. Aherlow is another staying type who wouldn't have been suited by the minimum trip on his chasing bow. He's expected to do very much better though softer ground would aid his cause. CASTLEBROOK has won between the flags and been placed in bumpers and over hurdles but tackling fences should bring out the best in him and he's taken to make a successful start. Dual hurdles winner Moonshine Bay will have needed his chasing debut at Fairyhouse where he jumped well and stayed on though he's another who would be suited by some give. Polar Present has run seven times over fences and fallen twice but is better suited by today's conditions than most so has to be respected. Mine Now is another with experience over the bigger obstacles and his recent runs in handicaps should ensure he gets competitive.
Aherlow (IRE) 14-1 (11-12) Mid-division best, slight mistake 3 out and pushed along, soon no extra, 11th of 15, 26 1/2l behind R'evelyn Pleasure (11-12) at Clonmel 2m Yielding in Dec.
Eshtiaal (USA) 8-1 (11-5) Always last, not fluent 3rd, mistake 12th and 13th, weakened 14th, last of 4, dist behind Dandy Dan (11-5) at Bangor 3m (4) gd in Oct.
Mine Now (IRE) 20-1 (10-2) Towards rear, some progress from 3 out, ridden in moderate 9th 2 out, kept on one pace, never a factor, 6th of 25, 24 1/4l behind Tout Est Permis (10-12) at Navan 3m hcp gd in Nov.
Moonshine Bay (IRE) 20-1 (11-12) Waited with, 8th from 4th, slight mistake 8th, soon headway, no impression from before straight, jumped slightly left 2 out and one pace, 4th of 10, 15 1/4l behind Mortal (11-12) at Fairyhouse 2m 5f gd in Dec.
The Conditional (IRE) 25-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, ridden in 4th 3 out, soon no impression on leaders, 4th of 12, 10 3/4l behind Chris's Dream (11-12) at Navan 2m 4f Yielding in Dec.
Westland Row (IRE) 7-1 (11-10) Held up towards rear, closer in 5th 5 out, ridden and no extra after 3 out, left moderate 4th 2 out, 4th of 7, dist behind Scarpeta (11-6) at Clonmel 3m Yielding in Dec.
Polar Present (IRE) 13-2 (11-0) Waited with, fell 2nd, at Fairyhouse 2m 4f hcp gd in Dec.
Turndownthevolume (IRE) 50-1 (11-7) Soon close up, slight mistake 8th and pushed along briefly, on terms approaching next, soon headed, dropped to 6th and no extra approaching straight, 6th of 7, 31 3/4l behind Bargy Lady (11-7) at Fairyhouse 2m 5f gd in Oct.
Castlebrook (IRE) 5-2 (12-0) Led, ridden and joined over 2f out, led again 1f out, strongly pressed and joined inside final furlong, headed and no extra close home, 2nd of 8, 1/2l behind Vent D'Automne (12-0) at Ballinrobe 2m 1f hvy in May.
Last Man Standing (IRE) 14-1 (11-12) Rear of mid-division, ridden in moderate 6th after 4 out, soon no impression, 5th of 12, 20 1/4l behind Chris's Dream (11-12) at Navan 2m 4f Yielding in Dec.
