mid-division, 6th halfway, pushed along and no impression approaching 2 out, no extra
tracked leaders, 4th halfway, slight mistake 3 out, no impression and slight mistake next, no extra
rear of mid-division, pushed along and some progress on outer after 3 out, no impression in 4th before last, ridden and kept on one pace run-in
mid-division, 5th halfway, some progress on inner entering straight and went 2nd after 2 out, ridden and no impression run-in
made all, asserted and 6 lengths clear after 3 out, pushed along approaching last and stayed on well run-in, comfortably
tracked leader, 2nd halfway, pushed along and no impression on winner entering straight, no extra after 2 out
towards rear, pushed along and no impression entering straight, no extra before last where slight mistake, kept on one pace
mid-division, 7th halfway, no impression before 2 out, pushed along and 5th before last, ridden and no extra run-in
always rear, pecked 1st, pushed along and mistake 3 out, soon no extra, eased after 2 out, completely tailed off
tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, no impression on winner in 2nd 2 out, ridden in 3rd before last, no extra run-in
Heron Heights has had a break but was in terrific form last summer and autumn, winning four times. CAOLANEOIN beat subsequent winner Vent De La Cote in a beginners’ chase over course and distance just under a year ago. He’s been in decent form lately and, 4lb lower than when fourth behind Ball D’arc at Fairyhouse last time, gets a narrow vote ahead of last year’s third Leap Dearg and the potentially well-treated Killer Crow. Black Zero was a win and a fourth to his name from recent runs here but will be carrying more than his allotted weight.
Heron Heights (IRE) 6-1 (11-8) Held up, took keen hold, blundered and rider lost iron briefly 1st, not much room 4th, headway 14th, close 2nd 2 out, challenged last, edged right and led flat, hard ridden and went clear towards finish, won at Cheltenham 3m (2) gd in Oct beating Full Cry (11-8) by 1 3/4l, 6 ran.
Ludo Et Emergo (IRE) 28-1 (11-2) Mid-division when fell 1st, at Limerick 2m 4f hcp hvy in Dec.
Squouateur (FR) 11-1 (11-12) Rear of mid-division, never a factor, no impression in moderate 7th 4 out, no extra, behind and pulled up after next, at Cork 2m 4f hvy in Jan.
Vent De La Cote (FR) 11-10fav (11-3) Held up in touch in last, closer 4th 5 out, not fluent next, headway into 2nd 3 out, mistake next, closer 2nd at last, headway to lead on-bridle inside final furlong, stayed on well, comfortably, won at Ballinrobe 2m 1f hvy in Apr beating Archie Meade (11-7) by 1l, 5 ran.
Westerners Son (IRE) 16-1 (10-11) Tracked leaders, 3rd early, lost place and reminders 4 out, pulled up 3 out, at Leopardstown 2m 1f hcp Yielding in Dec.
Leap Dearg (IRE) 20-1 (10-4) Towards rear, last 4 out, soon no impression, 7th of 13, 32l behind Ball D'arc (10-9) at Fairyhouse 2m 1f hcp sft in Jan.
Killer Crow (IRE) 16-1 (9-10) Held up, 12th early, slightly impeded 2 out, soon no impression, slightly impeded entering straight, no extra, 10th of 18, 11 3/4l behind A Toi Phil (10-13) at Leopardstown 2m 5f hcp gd in Jan.
Caolaneoin (IRE) 25-1 (10-3) Soon raced in poor 10th, closer in 5th approaching straight, 3rd 2 out, no extra and one pace between last 2, 4th of 13, 11 1/2l behind Ball D'arc (10-9) at Fairyhouse 2m 1f hcp sft in Jan.
Rock On Fruity (IRE) 12-1 (9-11) Always towards rear, slight mistake 8th, no impression when slight mistake 3 out, mistake next and pulled up before last, at Navan 2m 4f hcp Yielding - Soft in Dec.
Black Zero (IRE) 9-2 (11-10) Tracked leaders, 5th from 5th, improved to get on terms before 2 out, headed before last, no extra in 5th run-in, 5th of 9, 9 1/4l behind The Gatechecker (11-12) at Naas 2m 3f hcp Yielding - Soft in Jan.
