CURRAGH 16:10 4s6i58

Non Runners: SASTA (IRE), STATELY HOME (IRE), FIL THE POWER.

Time: 1m 45.31s Closing Sectional: (3f): 38.8s (101.8%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 132%, Betfair SP 102.1%

A well-contested and typically competitive renewal of this valuable handicap, one that has the makings of solid form, the first 4 home all relatively low-mileage 4-y-os while a few in behind shaped with promise, too; the action developed down the centre and, though those held up struggled to get seriously involved, it was a well-run contest.

LAYFAYETTE (IRE) attracted and proved better than ever as he made a winning return from 5 months off, coping well with the drop back in trip, first-time cheekpieces probably helping in that regard; in touch, travelled fluently, chased leaders under 2f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on to lead final 50 yds, ridden out; he's a likeable sort, versatile and consistent, and should be at least as good back over further.

MAKER OF KINGS (IRE) gelded since last seen, was easy to back but ran a cracker back under a fully-fledged rider after 5 months off, shaping well; mid-division, had to wait for gap 2f out, headway approaching final 1f, responded well; should be suited by 1¼m and is one to be interested in next time.

COMFORT LINE (IRE) who sweated up beforehand, had a recent run under his belt and proved better than ever back on turf, sticking to his task pretty well having raced quite freely; tracked pace, took strong hold, every chance over 1f out, one paced; he should continue to give a good .

STAR OF CASHEL (IRE) who showed fair form in a couple of starts over hurdles during the winter, got back on the up returned to this sphere, shaping well for a long way; close up, travelled fluently, edged ahead under 2f out, headed final 50 yds, no extra; slightly lesser handicaps are still open to him, and he's one to be interested in.

IN FROM THE COLD (IRE) ran well after 5 months off, a 9 lb rise in the weights for his win at the back-end of last year probably leaving him just averagely treated, though he is still relatively unexposed at 1¼m; in touch, ridden over 2f out, stayed on.

FAME AND ACCLAIM (IRE) ran creditably back in a handicap, though did have the benefit of a more recent run under his belt; in touch, chased leaders over 1f out, kept on.

HE KNOWS NO FEAR (IRE) claimer ridden, returned to form, though did have a relatively recent run under his belt, unlike most of these; prominent, every chance under 2f out, no extra last ½f.

MIRANN (FR) shaped encouragingly after 6 months off, faring best of those held up over a trip short of his best; raced off the pace, headway approaching 2f out, had to pick way through, kept on; he'll benefit from a return to at least 1¼m and leaves the impression that there's still a bigger performance in the locker, one to be interested in.

INSIGNIA OF RANK (IRE) placed in a maiden hurdle last time, ran respectably after 12 weeks off, leaving the impression the run was just needed; mid-division, chased leaders approaching 2f out, no extra last ½f.

LAUGHIFUWANT (IRE) claimer ridden, ran respectably after 5 months off, entitled to be sharper for this; raced off the pace, ridden over 2f out, hung right, kept on.

LOBO ROJO making handicap debut, wasn't disgraced after 5 months off, short on experience for a race of this nature, that showing to an extent; mid-division, shaken up over 2f out, short of room soon after, kept on, not unduly punished; he may yet do better, acknowledging that his mark demands it.

AGITARE (IRE) shaped as if better for the run after 6 months off, showing up well for a long way; prominent, took strong hold, ridden 2f out, edged left, weakened final 1f.

CASANOVA went backwards from reappearance, conditions perhaps not ideal, softer than he's previously encountered; raced off the pace, brief headway over 2f out, shaken up soon after, not quicken; he's not one to dismiss.

BREAKING STORY (IRE) looked rusty after 5 months off; dwelt, raced wide early, in rear, shaken up over 2f out, kept on; he hasn't won since his debut but has been given a chance by the handicapper, 4 lb lower than when third in the Irish Cambridgeshire last year.

DEIDRA (IRE) on first outing since leaving John Joseph Murphy after 6 months off, was given a considerate reappearance; in rear, shaken up over 2f out, made no impression, not persevered with once held; she needs to improve to be more competitive from her mark, but it is still fairly early days.

QUIZICAL (IRE) who sweated up beforehand, looks plenty high enough in the weights but did shape as if needing the run after 5 months off; soon led, headed under 2f out, edged left, weakened.

TAKEACHANCEJIMMY (IRE) probably needed the run after 5 months off, not that he looks well treated following a hefty rise in the weights for his win here in October, that not a robust piece of form; raced wide early, mid-field, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out.

PROTAGONIST (FR) probably needed the run after 6 months off, for all that he was well backed; raced wide, raced off the pace, ridden over 2f out, weakened approaching final 1f.

GEE REX (IRE) has shown fairly useful form over hurdles for this yard, including when second earlier in the month, but was well held back in this sphere; off the bridle before most, never on .

TEED UP (IRE) was well backed but shaped as if needing the run after 5 months off; in touch, shaken up 3f out, weakened over 1f out; his form last year hasn't worked out badly (not beaten far by Maker Of Kings at Tipperary) and he may yet do better.

PARTY MOON (GER) gelded since last seen and wearing a tongue strap, shaped as if needing the run on first outing since leaving A. Kleinkorres after 7 months off; in touch, took strong hold, hampered after 2f, shaken up approaching 3f out, weakened under 2f out.

TRADING POINT (FR) looked rusty after 3 months off; dwelt, raced off the pace, brief headway over 2f out, weakened soon after.

GODHEAD was easy to back and failed to build on the promise of last run, not looking particularly at ease in the conditions; raced wide early, mid-division, ridden over 2f out, edged right, weakened; he's probably not one to dismiss just yet.

SHEER BRAVADO (IRE) has been well beaten both starts in juvenile hurdles since ing this yard and offered little back in this sphere, never on ; he has something to prove now.