towards rear, 6th halfway, ridden 2f out, progress to 4th 1f out, kept on same pace
settled 4th, pushed along 3f out, ridden into 2nd under 2f out, no extra final furlong
rear, 8th halfway, ridden under 2f out, 7th 1f out, kept on one pace, eased closing stages
ran 5th, switched left under 2f out, headway to 3rd 1f out, soon 2nd, kept on same pace, dropped to 3rd closing stages
broke well, soon raced 3rd, ridden under 2f out, weakened over 1f out, eased closing stages
soon tracked leader in 2nd, travelled well to lead entering straight, ridden over 1f out, kept on strongly
soon led, under pressure and headed entering straight, ridden over 2f out, weakened 1 1/2f out
in rear, 7th halfway, pushed along in 6th 1f out, soon ridden, kept on well to 2nd close home, not trouble winner
To Choose, twice a winner over hurdles, has completed a double over 1m4f here in recent weeks, on both occasions staying on strongly at the finish. This trip should hold no fears though CARRIED looks to have his measure. Pru Dobbs' charge was conceding him 7lb when beating narrowly last month and meets him on 11lb better terms so should take his revenge, despite being beaten here last week. Venezia, who has won over 1m2f around here, has disappointed over timber recently but Tara Dylan has competed at a very high level since winning three times in the summer and looks a threat.
Mandatario 25-1 (9-2) Chased leaders, no impression when impeded under 2f out, no extra, 19th of 23, 21 1/4l behind Golden Spear (8-8) at Leopardstown 1m 7f hcp Yielding in Oct.
Alton Bay (IRE) 16-1 (8-6) Held up, soon towards rear, some headway and kept on same pace straight, 17th of 23, 16 3/4l behind Golden Spear (8-8) at Leopardstown 1m 7f hcp Yielding in Oct.
Tara Dylan (IRE) 40-1 (8-5) Dwelt, impeded early towards rear, rapid headway after 4f and soon disputed lead with slipped saddle, headed approaching straight, soon no extra, 20th of 23, 22 3/4l behind Golden Spear (8-8) at Leopardstown 1m 7f hcp Yielding in Oct.
To Choose (IRE) 7-2fav (8-10) Tracked leaders on outer, dropped towards rear after 3f and in rear halfway, 6th 2f out, pushed along and progress to challenge inside final furlong, led 100 yards out and kept on well, won at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp pol in Oct beating Poitin (9-6) by 1/2l, 9 ran.
Carried (IRE) 9-2 (8-13) Soon led, headed inside first 3f, led again into straight, headed 1f out, no extra and one pace, 4th of 11, 3 1/2l behind My Direction (9-4) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp pol in Nov.
Winter Lion (IRE) 20-1 (11-2) Tracked winner until 3rd, hampered after next, lost place before 3 out, well behind when mistake last, 10th of 16, 28 3/4l behind Midnight Shot (10-10) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Macnicholson (IRE) 16-1 (8-12) Raced in 7th early, pushed along approaching straight, kept on same pace from over 1f out, 7th of 11, 9 1/4l behind My Direction (9-4) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp pol in Nov.
Venezia (IRE) 5-2 (11-12) Tracked leaders, slight mistake 4th, 7th halfway, pushed along and no impression in 5th when slight mistake 2 out, kept on one pace, 6th of 13, 7 3/4l behind Bull Ride (11-4) at Wexford 2m mdn gd in Oct.
