held up, closer at 4th, 5th halfway, ridden in 6th 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off
held up, slight mistake 1st, improved to 3rd briefly at 4th, soon held up again, progress into 4th 4 out, ridden into 2nd before last, no impression on winner, kept on same pace
led, disputed from 5 out, close 3rd 2 out, ridden to lead before last, soon clear, comfortably
chased leader, 2nd halfway, disputed from 5 out, narrow lead 2 out, ridden and headed before last, no extra
held up towards rear, mistake 4 out, progress into 5th 2 out, ridden in 4th and no impression before last, no extra run-in
chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden in 6th and no impression 2 out, stayed on in 5th last, kept on to 3rd run-in
chased leaders, 3rd halfway, disputed from 4 out, ridden entering straight, no extra before last
URANO had become very frustrating since arriving from France though his trainer suggested he'd been running him over a trip too short after he was impressive over 2m6f here last month. This is a big step up in grade but he's progressive enough to take it and gets the nod. After finishing runner-up in a Cork Grade 3, Band Of Blood ran poorly in a Leopardstown handicap and Gallant Tipp couldn't quite handle this level on the same track last month though ran well enough to suggest he'll be thereabouts here. Giantofaman beat the selection over the minimum trip here in November but not by far and was receiving 8lb so is unlikely to confirm the form. The remaining trio will need to raise their game to get involved.
Band Of Blood (IRE) 4-1fav (11-10) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, 3rd 3 out, ridden in 5th 2 out, soon no extra, 9th of 13, well behind Zabana (10-12) at Leopardstown 2m 4f hcp hdl sft in Jan.
Gallant Tipp (IRE) 10-1 (11-3) Led at sedate pace, pushed along approaching straight, headed approaching last, no extra and kept on one pace run-in, 5th of 6, 4 1/2l behind Sure Reef (11-0) at Leopardstown 2m 4f nov hdl Grade 2 (1) in Jan.
Giantofaman (IRE) 9-2 (11-5) Led, slight mistake 4th, ridden and headed entering straight, no extra before last, dropped to 3rd run-in, 3rd of 4, 23l behind Clondaw Court (11-5) at Thurles 2m 6f nov hdl sft in Jan.
The Pounds (IRE) 11-2 (11-6) Prominent, on terms from 4 out, fell next, in a race won by Man With Van (11-6) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f hdl hvy, 9 ran.
Urano (FR) 10-11fav (11-12) Settled in rear of mid-division, progress after halfway, went 3rd 3 out and led after next, asserted before last and drew clear run-in, very easily, won at Thurles 2m 6f mdn hdl hvy in Jan beating Sizing Coal (11-4) by 9l, 18 ran.
Draycott Place (IRE) 200-1 (11-9) In rear, ridden in 5th approaching 2 out and no extra entering straight, 5th of 6, 31l behind Vautour (11-9) at Leopardstown 2m 2f nov hdl G2 (1).
Horendus Hulabaloo (IRE) 10-1 (11-2) Held up in rear, ridden 4 out, 3rd and no impression leaders after 3 out, kept on one pace to 2nd run-in, 2nd of 4, 18l behind Clondaw Court (11-5) at Thurles 2m 6f nov hdl sft in Jan.
