chased leader, 2nd halfway, ridden and close up 2f out, under pressure in 6th 1 1/2f out, no extra and weakened
mid-division, ridden under 2f out, no impression in 11th 1f out, kept on one pace final furlong
mid-division, headway in 9th 3f out, improved to challenge under 2f out, led 1 1/2f out, ridden to assert over 1f out, kept on strongly final furlong, comfortably
led, ridden and challenged under 2f out, headed 1 1/2f out, 2nd and no extra 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, dropped to 4th close home
chased leaders early, mid-division halfway, headway into 6th 3f out, not clear run behind horses 2f out, hampered 1 1/2f out, ridden in 9th and no impression 1f out, kept on one pace
held up towards rear, ridden and headway on far side 1 1/2f out, 7th 1f out, no impression and kept on one pace
settled behind leaders, pushed along in 11th 3f out, soon no extra and kept on one pace
mid-division early, 8th halfway, headway into 3rd 2f out, soon ridden and no extra 1 1/2f out, weakened
mid-division, 10th 3f out, ridden into 4th 1 1/2f out, no extra over 1f out
chased leader, 5th halfway, ridden and no extra 3f out, weakened
mid-division, ridden and headway under 2f out, 5th 1f out, kept on final furlong to 3rd close home
held up towards rear, headway 2f out, 3rd 1 1/2f out, ridden and no impression leaders over 1f out, kept on same pace
held up towards rear, 12th 3f out, ridden and no extra 2f out
chased leader, 3rd halfway, ridden in 6th 2f out, no extra and weakened
chased leaders, 6th halfway, ridden and weakened 3f out
chased leader and keen hold, 4th halfway, ridden and weakened 2f out
held up towards rear, headway 2f out, ridden into 8th 1 1/2f out, 4th 1f out, kept on final furlong to 2nd closing stages, no chance with winner
mid-division best, ridden and no impression 2f out, kept on one pace
chased leaders, 7th halfway, 4th 3f out, ridden and no extra under 2f out
mid-division, headway into 9th 2f out, soon ridden and no impression over 1f out, kept on one pace
The ground was very heavy for this in 2011 and the first four home were drawn low. Many of today's fancied runners have a high berth including Inis Meain, one of last season's success stories, who has been hurdling. UK raider Anton Chigurh battled through the mud to win his last two races at Carlisle and Haydock so conditions won't trouble him and along with the progressive Tandem he would be a threat if managing to overcome his draw. Gunner Lindley is well enough handicapped to make his presence felt though he's yet another seemingly drawn badly so in the hope that low numbers are favoured it's last year's runner-up ANSAAB, who hasn't been seen since finding 1m4f too far here in May, who is handed the vote. Willie Mullins does well with his runners in handicaps on the Flat and Dougal Philps looks the type to go well.
Custom Cut (IRE) 8-1 (9-12) Soon led, attempted to assert from 2f out, strongly pressed and stayed on well final furlong, caught near finish, 2nd of 6, 1/2l behind Captain Joy (9-12) at Dundalk 1m 4yo stk pol.
Hujaylea (IRE) 20-1 (9-3) Towards rear, last approaching straight, ridden and headway under 2f out, went 2nd briefly 1f out, no impression inside final furlong and kept on one pace, 4th of 11, 2 1/2l behind Famous Name (9-8) at Leopardstown 1m Listed stks (1) gd in Apr.
Sweet Lightning 5-2fav (9-9) Held up towards rear, 6th halfway, ridden on outer 2f out and no impression from over 1f out, 6th of 8, 6l behind Soon (9-0) at Killarney 1m Listed stks (1) hvy in Aug.
Inis Meain (USA) 4-1fav (9-0) Made all, quickened clear entering straight, stayed on well under pressure from over 1f out, eased closing stages, unchallenged, won at Listowel 1m 1f hcp hvy in Sep beating Truthwillsetufree (8-2) by 2l, 12 ran.
Croi An Or (IRE) 4-1 (9-2) Dwelt, waited with in moderate 4th, niggled along before straight, no impression and kept on same pace from over 2f out, 3rd of 5, 13l behind Akeed Mofeed (9-2) at Cork 1m Listed stks (1) in Aug.
Ozeta (FR) 16-1 (9-1) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden and closer early straight, went 2nd inside final furlong but no chance with winner, 2nd of 6, 4 1/2l behind Steps To Freedom (9-13) at Dundalk 1m 3f 4yo stk pol in Feb.
Tandem 4-1 (9-1) Raced in 4th, went in pursuit of winner into straight, soon no impression under pressure, dropped to 4th again and kept on same pace from over 1f out, 4th of 6, 12l behind Chamonix (9-4) at Listowel 1m 4f Listed stks (1) hvy in Sep.
Miracle Cure (IRE) 4-1 (9-10) Chased leaders, ridden in 4th 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 6th of 7, 8l behind Captain Joy (9-4) at Dundalk 1m hcp pol in Dec.
Ansaab 13-2 (9-12) Settled in mid-division, moderate 11th halfway, pushed along in 7th entering straight, no extra from 2f out, 10th of 15, 20l behind Midnight Soprano (9-1) at Curragh 1m 4f hcp gd in May.
Anton Chigurh 10-11fav (8-5) In touch, outpaced over 3f out, soon not clear run, rallied to challenge over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ran on well, won at Haydock 1m hcp 105 (2) hvy in Sep beating Vito Volterra (8-7) by 1l, 6 ran.
Bold Thady Quill (IRE) 16-1 (9-12) Settled in in rear, ridden approaching straight, kept on same pace from under 2f out, last of 6, 5l behind Captain Joy (9-12) at Dundalk 1m 4yo stk pol.
Macbeth (IRE) 20-1 (9-2) Waited with in rear, ridden to chase leaders from under 2f out, soon no impression, kept on, 4th of 8, 9l behind Famous Name (10-0) at Leopardstown 1m 2f Listed stks (1) sft in Oct.
Campanology 8-1 (9-5) Raced 5th of 6, switched towards outer to try and get a run inside final furlong, stayed on well close home without getting there, 4th of 6, 1 1/2l behind Captain Joy (9-12) at Dundalk 1m 4yo stk pol.
Gunner Lindley (IRE) 9-1 (9-4) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden 2f out and no impression from 1f out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 14, 4 1/2l behind Bold Thady Quill (8-9) at Curragh 1m hcp sft in Jun.
Shifting (IRE) 16-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, ridden in moderate 4th 2f out, went 3rd over 1f out, kept on to go 2nd close home, no chance with easy winner, 2nd of 6, 7l behind Manieree (9-3) at Naas 1m fll lst stks (1) hvy in Oct.
Our Boy Jack (IRE) 6-4fav (8-10) Took keen hold soon tracked winner until ridden 3f out, kept on same pace from over 1f out, 3rd of 4, 8l behind Marford Missile (8-7) at Pontefract 1m 3yo clm (5) gs in Oct.
Cheval Rouge (IRE) 7-1 (8-1) Tracked leaders, 6th 3f out, ridden and no impression straight, 8th of 11, 26l behind Miracle Cure (8-4) at Leopardstown 1m 2f hcp sft in Nov.
Dougal Philps 4-1 (8-9) Keen hold, soon led, joined over 1f out, soon headed and no extra, kept on same pace, 4th of 8, 6l behind Ondeafears (8-7) at Listowel 7f hcp hvy in Sep.
Man Of Erin (IRE) 5-1 (10-2) Led and clear early, strongly pressed and ridden 2f out, headed 1 1/2f out, rallied gamely to regain lead inside final furlong, stayed on well, won at Curragh 7f hcp hvy in Oct beating Bitsanbobs (9-8) by 3/4l, 12 ran.
Susiescot (IRE) 10-1 (9-0) Held up in rear, kept on without threatening from 2f out, 6th of 10, 7l behind Lady Wingshot (9-5) at Leopardstown 7f Listed stks (1) sft in Nov.