tracked leaders, 4th from 5th, improved into close 2nd travelling well 4 out, led approaching 2 out, ridden clear before last, easily
tracked leaders in 4th, blundered and dropped to rear 4th, pulled up before 3 out
led, ridden and strongly pressed from before 3 out, headed approaching 2 out, soon no extra
in touch in rear, 6th and progress 3 out, moderate 3rd before 2 out, one pace
in touch, 6th and ridden 5 out, 4th after next, stayed on under pressure from 2 out
held up in touch, ridden and weakened from before 3 out
tracked leaders in 3rd, 4th and ridden before 3 out, soon weakened
close 2nd, slight mistake 8th, 4th when mistake 4 out, soon ridden and weakened
Back Of The Pack finished last in a Grade 3 at Leopardstown yesterday and is unlikely to take her chance here. BARKER's last five starts have been in Grade 1 company and he had his big day when beating Forpadydeplasterer by 15 lengths at Punchestown in April 2009. Nothing has gone right for him since but he gets the vote to kick-start his career. Carthalawn is a very useful performer on his day who generally doesn't quite get there at the highest level. He's in very good form at present and would take advantage if Barker doesn't come up with the goods. In Compliance is another to have won at Grade 1 level but that was way back in 2006 when he beat War Of Attrition in the John Durkan at Punchestown. He wasn't in that sort of form last season though he did manage a Listed success at Thurles just over a year ago.
Barker (IRE) 16-1 (11-12) Soon chased leaders, mistake 4th, 5th 4 out, lost place and no impression under pressure into straight, well beaten in 7th when fell last, in a race won by Golden Silver (11-12) at Punchestown 2m chs G1 (1) gd in Apr, 11 ran.
Carthalawn (IRE) 16-1 (11-10) Chased ledaers, 5th halfway, ridden and no impression in 6th 2 out, left 4th after last, 4th of 8, 12l behind Golden Silver (11-12) at Fairyhouse 2m 1f chs Grd 2 (1) sft in Dec.
Whinstone Boy (IRE) 8-1 (10-13) Keen hold, led approaching 7th, mistake next and 5 out, headed 3 out, weakened into straight, last of 10, well behind The Shepherd (10-0) at Clonmel 3m hcp hdl 0-140 in Nov.
In Compliance (IRE) 5-2 (11-2) Chased leader, 2nd halfway, ridden 3 out, mistake and no extra 2 out, 3rd last, kept on same pace, 3rd of 7, 6l behind Schelm (10-13) at Punchestown 2m 2f chs gf in May.
Back Of The Pack (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) Tracked leader in 2nd, led from 6 out and made rest, ridden clear from 2 out, kept on well, won at Cork 2m 4f nov chs Grd 3 (1) hvy in Oct beating Beau Michael (11-6) by 4 1/2l, 7 ran.
Cara Mara (IRE) 33-1 (10-11) Chased leaders, hampered and fell 5 out, in a race won by Blazing Tempo (10-7) at Clonmel 2m 4f mares chs Grd 3 (1) hvy in Nov, 10 ran.
Royal Choice (IRE) 50-1 (11-2) Always behind, tailed off when pulled up before last, in a race won by Golden Silver (11-12) at Fairyhouse 2m 1f chs Grd 2 (1) sft in Dec, 8 ran.
Ponmeoath (IRE) 50-1 (11-6) Mid-division, hampered on inside 4 out, lost place soon after, tailed off, 18th of 23, well behind Aegean Dawn (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs in Nov.
