in rear, slight mistake 3rd, no impression from 3 out, never a factor
tracked leaders, moderate 6th 3 out, ridden in moderate 4th after 2 out, no impression
mid-division, slight mistake 6th, reminder 7th, no impression from 4 out, never a factor
tracked leaders, moderate 5th 3 out, ridden and no impression from next
rear of mid-division, headway into 4th 3 out, moderate 3rd and ridden 2 out, no impression on leaders in 3rd at last, no extra
led and clear of remainder along with 2nd horse, headed 5th, mistake 7th, no impression on winner from 3 out, dropped to moderate 4th next, moderate 4th and mistake at last, weakened run-in
mid-division, closer in moderate 3rd halfway, went moderate 2nd after 3 out, pressed winner approaching last, ridden at last, no impression on winner inside final furlong, kept on same pace
always towards rear, reminder 6th, mistake 8th, behind 3 out, pulled up before last
always behind, last and detached at 5th, ridden 5 out, pulled up before last
mid-division on outer, no impression from 4 out, soon weakened
mid-division, moderate 8th 3 out, ridden and not fluent next, no impression
tracked leaders early, mistakes 4th and 5th, mid-division and not fluent at 8th, moderate 6th 2 out and ridden, moderate 4th at last, kept on without threatening to go 3rd close home
tracked leader in 2nd and raced clear of remainder, led from 5th, mistake 7th, went well clear after 3 out, reduced advantage entering straight, ridden approaching last, stayed on well under pressure inside final furlong
Last Goodbye won this for Liz Doyle a year ago beating VIEUX MORVAN, who was conceding 5lb, by 9l. He looks as though he's been prepared for a repeat but so does the runner-up, who ran a tremendous race in the Paddy Power over Christmas where he made most over that 3m before caught at the last. Any Second Now did well to finish fifth in that latter event after a couple of bad mistakes while De Name Escapes Me was beaten a long way though that wasn't his form as he'd won a tough 2m4f handicap at Navan on his previous start. Cadmium is a very smart novice competing in a handicap for the first time while Speaker Connolly made a successful handicap debut over the track and trip and is at the right end of the weights.
Doctor Phoenix (IRE) 12-1 (11-6) Held up towards rear, slight mistake 2nd, progress into 5th 3 out, ridden and no impression entering straight, no extra before last, 6th of 7, 17 1/2l behind Tout Est Permis (11-3) at Thurles 2m 5f (1) gd in Jan.
Cadmium (FR) 7-1 (11-10) In rear, slightly hampered at 1st, slight mistake 6th, headway into 5th 4 out, ridden in 5th 2 out, soon no impression in moderate 4th, 4th of 11, 12 1/2l behind Delta Work (11-10) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f (1) gd in Dec.
Last Goodbye (IRE) 12-1 (11-2) Prominent, soon 2nd, led after 5th, joined briefly 10th, headed from 5 out, lost position and no impression approaching 2 out, soon no extra, 5th of 7, 34l behind Al Boum Photo (11-12) at Tramore 2m 5f lst (1) sft in Jan.
Valseur Lido (FR) 25-1 (11-1) Led or disputed lead, headed 5th, remained prominent until pushed along and no extra after 4 out, 12th of 18, dist behind Invitation Only (11-6) at Gowran Park 3m 1f hcp sft in Jan.
Cubomania (IRE) 7-1 (10-11) Rear of mid-division, closer early straight, pushed along and headway after 2 out to go 2nd before last, ridden and kept on well run-in, 2nd of 10, 1/2l behind Duca De Thaix (11-1) at Fairyhouse 2m 1f hcp gd in Jan.
Vieux Morvan (FR) 33-1 (10-11) Led, not fluent 1st, joined 5 out, headed approaching last, soon no extra and one pace, 2nd of 27, 6 1/2l behind Auvergnat (10-5) at Leopardstown 3m gd in Dec.
Livelovelaugh (IRE) 9-1 (10-11) Chased leaders, slight mistake 3rd, 11th after 7th, lost position and slight mistake 4 out, pulled up before 3 out, at Leopardstown 3m gd in Dec.
Bel Ami De Sivola (FR) 10-1 (10-7) Mid-division, 5th halfway, pushed along approaching straight, ridden after 2 out and no impression before last, kept on one pace, 5th of 10, 9 3/4l behind Duca De Thaix (11-1) at Fairyhouse 2m 1f hcp gd in Jan.
Black Scorpion (IRE) 14-1 (10-5) Waited with, 15th after 7th, soon headway, fell 7 out, at Leopardstown 3m gd in Dec.
Gusty Rocky (IRE) 9-1 (11-12) Mid-division, headway before 5 out and 4th entering straight, pushed along and no extra after 2 out, weakened, 7th of 8, 19l behind Uisce Beatha (11-12) at Fairyhouse 2m 1f gd in Jan.
Landofhopeandglory (IRE) 20-1 (11-2) Towards rear, closer in mid-division at halfway, bad mistake 4 out, 9th next, headway on outer entering straight, 8th travelling well and slightly hampered 2 out, soon pushed along, ridden in 6th at last, kept on run-in, 5th of 16, 5 1/2l behind Westerner Point (11-5) at Limerick 2m 4f hcp Yielding - Soft in Dec.
Speaker Connolly (IRE) 12-1 (11-8) Towards rear, slight mistake 6th and jumped right 8th, good headway after 3 out and disputed next, pushed along to lead approaching last, ridden and stayed on well run-in, won at Leopardstown 2m 5f hcp gd in Dec beating Poker Party (11-5) by 5l, 11 ran.
Whisperinthebreeze 4-1jfav (11-12) Disputed lead early, 3rd after 9th, on terms 14th, slight mistake 2 out, led straight and attempted to assert, headed and one pace closing stages, 2nd of 10, 2 1/4l behind Se Mo Laoch (11-1) at Punchestown 3m 1f hcp gd in Jan.
Any Second Now (IRE) 5-1fav (11-1) Soon chased leaders, 8th after 7th, slight mistake 8th, soon progress, mistake last and one pace, 5th of 27, 9 3/4l behind Auvergnat (10-5) at Leopardstown 3m gd in Dec.
Fitzhenry (IRE) 25-1 (10-7) Held up, impeded 1st, slight mistake 3rd, 19th after 7th, soon progress to chase leaders, effort straight, kept on same pace from last, 3rd of 27, 9l behind Auvergnat (10-5) at Leopardstown 3m gd in Dec.
De Name Escapes Me (IRE) 13-2 (10-7) Held up and towards rear early, 20th after 7th, jumped slightly right 8th, slightly impeded 9th, soon progress until no extra 2 out, 16th of 27, dist behind Auvergnat (10-5) at Leopardstown 3m gd in Dec.
Scoir Mear (IRE) 20-1 (10-4) Waited with, not fluent 2nd, 14th after 7th, soon progress, one pace straight, 10th of 27, 18 3/4l behind Auvergnat (10-5) at Leopardstown 3m gd in Dec.
