Held up behind leaders, 4th halfway, progress into 2nd after 3 out, led 2 out, pushed out to assert before last, ridden and kept on strongly run-in op 11/4
Led and disputed, slight mistake 1st and headed, settled behind leaders, 3rd halfway, close up on outer before 4 out, led before 3 out, ridden and headed 2 out where slight mistake, no extra in 2nd before last, kept on one pace op 11/10 tchd 5/4
Held up early, jumped left, improved and close up from 3rd, led and disputed before next, slight mistake 5 out, slight mistake next, soon headed, ridden and no extra 3 out, weakened before next op 5/1
Battleford (6/5), The Storyteller (5/2), Some Neck (9/2), Brightest Flame (10/1), Billy's Hope (12/1), Electric Concorde (12/1), Wishmoor (33/1)
BATTLEFORD fluffed his lines on debut over hurdles but got it right second time out at Leopardstown over Christmas. He steps up in trip here and can continue winning ways as he learns his trade over jumps. The Storyteller could not have been more impressive in his Limerick romp latest and is greatly respected for his in-form trainer while Some Neck also impressed with his Limerick success over Christmas. A 7lbs hike asks a big questions of Leopardstown handicap winner Electric Concorde against some potentially smart rivals now, while Brightest Flame will find this much tougher than his Tramore win on New Year's Day.
1. Battleford
2. The Storyteller
3. Some Neck