prominent, 3rd at 6th, closed in 2nd before 3 out, under pressure before 2 out, no impression on easy winner last, kept on same pace
rear, not fluent at 5th, moderate 9th at 6th, weakened after 4 out, never a factor, tailed off
led briefly, soon headed, a little keen, 2nd at 6th, slight mistake at 7th, dropped to 3rd before 3 out, no impression on leaders before 2 out, not fluent 2 out, weakened before last where not fluent
towards rear, mistake at 2nd and rider lost iron briefly, moderate 8th at 6th, weakened after 4 out, never a factor, tailed off
rear of mid-division, 6th at 6th, weakened in moderate 7th before 3 out, pulled up before 2 out
rear, not fluent at 1st, moderate 7th at 6th, no impression in moderate 6th before 3 out, weakened before 2 out
rear, slight mistake at 1st, moderate 10th at 6th, weakened after 4 out, never a factor, tailed off
tracked leader, soon led, asserted after 3rd, increased advantage after 7th, reduced lead before 3 out, travelled well and increased lead before 2 out, clear last, kept on well, impressive
in touch, 5th at 6th, no impression in moderate 5th before 3 out, kept on one pace in moderate 4th before last
mid-division, progress to 4th at 6th, no impression in moderate 4th before 3 out, weakened before 2 out
There may have been issues with ESKYLANE in view of his infrequent appearances over the past year or so but he shaped well in a competitive Fairyhouse Grade A hurdle last month. He sets the hurdling standard along with Sole Pretender and receives a narrow vote. Not that this is a two-horse affair by any means as Genois has the benefit of two runs over the larger obstacles and has performed creditably on both occasions. He looks the each-way option in an interesting beginners chase. Shanwalla makes his chasing debut and is respected but has been absent for over 300 days and another debutant, Mi Lighthouse for Willie Mullins, adds more spice to the mix.
Eskylane (IRE) 14-1 (11-12) Mid-division, closer after 4 out, pushed along and some headway on inner after 2 out, 7th at last, kept on run-in, 5th of 17, 6 1/2l behind Glan (10-3) at Fairyhouse 2m hcp Good - Yielding in Apr.
First Earl (IRE) 50-1 (11-4) Always towards rear, never a factor, not fluent 3 out, no impression after next, no extra, 10th of 13, dist behind Tom Mcgreevy (11-4) at Ballinrobe 2m 1f mdn gd in May.
Genois (FR) 9-4 (11-6) Led or disputed lead, slight mistake 2nd, headed briefly 3 out, disputed lead before straight, soon pushed along, headed narrowly last, ridden run-in and no impression on winner closing stages, 2nd of 4, 1 1/2l behind Ganapathi (11-6) at Wexford 2m gd in May.
Kaytana (IRE) 250-1 (11-12) Towards rear, mistakes 3rd and 6 out, ridden and no extra from 3 out, 14th of 18, dist behind Toofareastiswest (11-12) at Limerick 2m 5f mdn gd in Apr.
Magnium (IRE) 100-1 (11-4) Towards rear, ran freely and progress to mid-division after 3rd, 3rd after 9th, 4th at 10th where not fluent, dropped to 5th at 11th, detached after 4 out, weakened after 2 out, tailed off, last of 5, dist behind Max Flamingo (11-10) at Killarney 2m 7f gd in May.
Pythion (FR) 50-1 (11-12) Always towards rear and well off pace throughout, no impression 4 out, weakened, tailed off, 10th of 13, dist behind L'impertinent (11-12) at Ballinrobe 2m 1f gd in May.
Shanwalla (IRE) 16-1 (11-10) Mid-division, closer in 5th after 3 out, ridden to press leaders 2 out, slightly hampered after 2 out, stayed on to press leader last and slight mistake, kept on well to lead run-in, won at Galway 2m 5f hcp gd in Jul beating Molly Wedger (11-3) by 3/4l, 20 ran.
Sole Pretender (IRE) 3-1 (11-4) Pressed leader, led before 3rd, ridden and headed before 2 out, soon weakened, 5th of 6, 17 3/4l behind Sceau Royal (11-6) at Wincanton 1m 7f (1) gd in Nov.
Wouldn't You Agree (IRE) 66-1 (10-6) Tracked leaders, 9th halfway, ridden and no impression after 2 out, 15th of 24, 27 1/4l behind Camprond (11-4) at Punchestown 2m 3f hcp Yielding in Apr.
Mi Lighthouse (IRE) 10-3 (11-7) Towards rear, rear of mid-division after 3rd, moderate 5th after 4th, slightly hampered after 6th, 6th after 7th, no impression after 3 out, weakened and eased 2 out, 6th of 8, dist behind Say Goodbye (11-7) at Killarney 2m 4f gd in May.
