prominent, led 3 out, headed just before 2 out, weakened quickly
chased leaders on outside, not fluent 5th, challenged 3 out, lost 2nd before last where landed awkwardly, weakened flat
held up in rear, headway 2 out, went 3rd flat, kept on, not pace to challenge front pair
mid-division, not much room 2 out, soon outpaced, hanging left before last, never involved
held up in mid-division, headway before 3 out, led just before 2 out, ridden and landed awkwardly last, edged right, headed and bumped flat, not pace of winner, stayed on
towards rear, slow 5th, blundered and well beaten 3 out
led after 1st, headed 2nd, soon led again, headed 3rd, not much room after 3 out, not fluent 2 out, lost place and well held after
held up rear of mid-division, headway towards outside before 3 out, ridden after 2 out, no impression before last
held up in mid-division, headway 3 out, ridden after 2 out, pressing for 3rd flat, not pace to challenge, kept on
held up in mid-division, headway travelling well from 3 out, shaken up and went 2nd before last, edged left, led and bumped flat, quickened away, easily
not always fluent, always behind
led until after 1st, led next, soon headed, led 3rd, headed 3 out, weakened quickly, pulled up before last
tracked leaders on inside, outpaced 3 out, well beaten from 2 out
held up in touch, tracking leaders 3 out, not much room after 3 out, hung left and outpaced after 2 out, soon weakened
Having beaten Il Etaits Temps in the Future Champions at Leopardstown over Christmas, FACILE VEGA may have gone off too quickly when odds-on to confirm the form with his stablemate over the same course and distance last month. The manner in which he capitulated once headed must be a worry for all those who have taken a short price about last year’s Champion Bumper winning this year’s Festival opener. However, he is the one to beat if back on song though Danny Mullins’ mount appears to be improving at a rate of knots and looks certain to be in the shake-up again here as Inthepocket and Dark Raven look held on the form book. Tahmuras is a Grade 1 winner and unbeaten over timber but will need to improve again to complete the four-timer and, despite a first defeat at Huntingdon last time, it would be no surprise if Rare Edition proved the pick of the home team as his Kempton success has been franked. Marine Nationale won the Royal Bond at Fairyhouse on only his second start over hurdles and still has plenty of scope but has something to find with the selection on collateral form.
Chasing Fire 4-6fav (11-12) Chased leaders on outside, went 2nd 4th, challenged 3 out, led 2 out, jumped right last, clear flat, stayed on well, won at Sandown 2m (3) gs in Feb beating Iliko D'olivate (11-8) by 6l, 6 ran.
Dark Raven (IRE) 14-1 (11-12) Held up in touch, not fluent 1st and mistake 3rd, left 4th next, 4th entering straight, ridden and no impression in 2nd when edged left before last, slight mistake last, kept on one pace, 3rd close home, 3rd of 6, 9 3/4l behind Il Etait Temps (11-12) at Leopardstown 2m (1) Yielding in Feb.
Diverge 10-11fav (11-12) Tracked leader, led before 4th, increased advantage 2 out, asserted and clear before last, kept on well, very easily, won at Punchestown 2m mdn sft in Jan beating Mon Coeur (11-12) by 23l, 22 ran.
Doctor Bravo (FR) 6-1 (11-1) Mid-division, took closer order after 4th, closed 4 out, on terms 3 out, led narrowly after 3 out, mistake 2 out, ridden and headed before last, dropped to 3rd run-in, no impression close home, 3rd of 6, 1 1/2l behind Fil Dor (11-10) at Gowran Park 2m (1) Soft - Heavy in Feb.
Facile Vega (IRE) 4-9fav (11-12) Led, took keen hold, joined 2nd, left in lead 4th, mistake next and not fluent 6th, pressed entering straight, soon pushed along and headed, weakened before last, 5th of 6, 20l behind Il Etait Temps (11-12) at Leopardstown 2m (1) Yielding in Feb.
Fennor Cross (IRE) 3-1 (11-2) Held up in 5th, good headway into 2nd before the last (normal 2 out) until not much room on rail home turn, rallied to lead final 270 yards, won at Cheltenham 2m (1) gd in Nov beating Ukantango (11-2) by 3 1/2l, 8 ran.
High Definition (IRE) 9-1 (11-12) Tracked leader in 2nd, mistake 1st, disputed from next, mistake and unseated rider 4th, at Leopardstown 2m (1) Yielding in Feb.
Il Etait Temps (FR) 14-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, took keen hold, not fluent 1st, left 3rd at 4th, went 2nd 2 out (usual 3 out), challenged entering straight, soon pushed along and led, 3 lengths lead last, ridden clear run-in, easily, won at Leopardstown 2m (1) Yielding in Feb beating Inthepocket (11-12) by 9 1/2l, 6 ran.
Inthepocket 11-1 (11-12) Held up in touch, 3rd after 3rd, left 2nd next, slight mistake and dropped to 3rd 2 out (usual 3 out), ridden and no impression in 3rd when switched right before last, kept on one pace, 2nd close home, 2nd of 6, 9 1/2l behind Il Etait Temps (11-12) at Leopardstown 2m (1) Yielding in Feb.
Marine Nationale (IRE) 11-2 (11-12) Mid-division on inner, 5th halfway, dropped to 7th after 5th, took closer order after 4 out, 3rd after 3 out, 4th 2 out, slight mistake in 3rd last, ridden and ran on strongly to lead final stride, won at Fairyhouse 2m (1) sft in Dec beating Irish Point (11-12) by hd, 8 ran.
Palace Boy (GER) 40-1 (11-5) Held up behind leaders, headway when mistake 3 out, chased winner 2 out, no impression, 2nd of 6, 11l behind Luccia (11-3) at Exeter 2m 1f lst (1) gd in Feb.
Rare Edition (IRE) 4-5fav (11-8) Led, not fluent 6th, pushed along when not fluent and jumped right 2 out, ridden and headed next, kept on one pace, 2nd of 4, 2 3/4l behind Marble Sands (11-5) at Huntingdon 2m 4f lst (1) gd in Feb.
Strong Leader 2-7fav (12-0) Tracked leader, eased into lead home turn, drew clear after 2 out, coasted home, not extended, won at Southwell 2m (4) gd in Jan beating Ballabawn (11-2) by 15l, 10 ran.
Tahmuras (FR) 5-2 (11-8) Raced keenly, soon steadied into 5th, headway tracking leaders 3 out, going well in 2nd before 2 out, hit 2 out, led approaching and hit last, given reminder, hung left into whip run-in, stayed on well, won at Sandown 2m (1) sft in Jan beating L'astroboy (11-8) by 2 1/2l, 8 ran.
