led and disputed, slightly slow 1st, inclined to jump right, headed from 9th, on terms again 13th, headed from 4 out, no extra and one pace from before 2 out
slightly slow 1st, soon raced in 5th, slight mistake 12th, 4th approaching straight, soon pushed along, 3rd 3 out, chased winner and hit 2 out, soon no impression, one pace
soon raced in 4th, 5th approaching straight, soon effort until one pace from before 2 out
tracked leaders, soon 3rd, lost place and no impression from before 2 out, kept on same pace without threatening
close up and disputed lead, led from 9th, joined 13th, led again from 4 out, travelling smoothly straight, asserted from 2 out, stayed on well, easily
soon raced in 6th, pushed along 10th, dropped to last and no extra into straight
in rear, slow jump 2nd, pushed along to go moderate 6th into straight, never a factor
Hand Of The King has had no luck whatsoever recently and was disputing the lead when falling two out at Punchestown last week. Dinnie's Vinnie was in fine form in the autumn, though was 10lb higher than his Downpatrick victory when a beaten favourite at Thurles and is on the same mark here. BANDON BRIDGE has won twice between the flags and landed a novices' handicap chase when trained in the UK. He showed his liking for heavy going with a very good third at Tramore last month and his rider's claim is a plus so he looks the one to beat. Rightback Atya fell when in touch at Clonmel then was staying on over 2m3f at Limerick so, if staying this trip, could snatch a place.
Hand Of The King (IRE) 7-1 (11-6) Led, headed after 8th, remained prominent and disputed 3 out, mistake and unseated rider next, at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp Soft - Heavy in Jan.
Bandon Bridge (IRE) 10-1 (11-12) Mid-division, closer in 5th 5 out, ridden in 4th before 2 out, 3rd and slight mistake at last, kept on run-in, 3rd of 13, 3 1/4l behind Cadawill (11-11) at Tramore 2m 5f hcp hvy in Dec.
Tiger Sam (IRE) 12-1 (10-8) Towards rear, reminder 6th, dropped to last from 9th, no danger from 4 out, soon pulled up, at Killarney 2m 7f hcp gd in Jul.
Fergiethelegend (IRE) 33-1 (9-10) Always towards rear, no impression from 4 out, never a factor, 10th of 12, 37l behind Capture The Drama (10-5) at Fairyhouse 3m 1f hcp hvy in Jan.
Rightback Atya (IRE) 12-1 (9-12) Mid-division and 9th halfway, pushed along and left in 7th 3 out, no impression and kept on same pace from next, 5th of 13, 7 1/2l behind Patsio (10-8) at Limerick 2m 4f hcp hvy in Dec.
Larkfield Lass (IRE) 40-1 (11-7) Held up in 4th, moderate 5th 5 out, no impression from 3 out, never a factor, 5th of 6, dist behind Asthuria (11-7) at Naas 2m Soft - Heavy in Jan.
Town Pond (IRE) 9-1 (10-6) Towards rear, slight mistake 3 out, ridden into 5th after 3 out, no extra in 6th 2 out, pulled up before last, at Tramore 2m 5f hcp hvy in Jan.
Dinnie's Vinnie (IRE) 5-1fav (11-3) Close up, 3rd at 7th, 4th 4 out, ridden after 2 out, no impression in 5th before last where left 4th, one paced, 6th of 18, 10 3/4l behind Simple Steps (10-7) at Thurles 3m 1f hcp hvy in Dec.
