settled in rear of mid-division on outer, 7th 5 out, no extra when left 5th and hampered 2 out, kept on one pace
towards rear, 8th 5 out, no impression on leaders when left 4th after 2 out, kept on one pace to snatch 3rd close home
led early, 6th halfway, 4th 5 out, no extra after 3 out
prominent and tracked leader in 2nd from before halfway, tried to challenge 2 out, no extra under pressure run-in
tracked leaders, 4th halfway, no impression on leaders when left 3rd after 2 out, kept on one pace
prominent and led briefly 2nd, 3rd halfway, ridden entering straight and under pressure in 3rd when fell 2 out
prominent and led from 3rd, pushed along 2 out and kept on well to assert run-in
chased leaders on inner, 5th halfway, ridden and weakened from 4 out
mid-division, mistake 7th and dropped to rear, no threat when jumped badly left 3 out
always towards rear, never a factor
SOLL, a winning point-to-pointer and hurdler, will be all the rage here after his excellent debut over regulation fences at Punchestown where he made the useful Son Amix pull out all the stops on heavy going. With further progress guaranteed he looks up to taking this before going on to better things and has entries in all the big novice events later. Aitmatov has been disappointing over fences and produced another moderate performance at Leopardstown on Saturday but Big Game Hunter has been running reasonably well against decent novices and will ensure the selection has a test. Harpsy Cord looks the main threat as this winning point-to-pointer and hurdler made a very satisfactory debut over fences behind Rathlin at Fairyhouse and will have gained valuable experience.
Aitmatov (GER) 9-2 (11-12) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden in 5th 2 out, no extra entering straight, 6th of 8, 14l behind Colbert Station (11-12) at Leopardstown 2m 1f beg chase in Jan.
Awkward Moment (IRE) 10-1 (11-6) Towards rear, struggling 4 out, soon no extra, tailed off, 5th of 8, well behind Tillahow (11-1) at Limerick 2m 3f hdl hvy in Dec.
Big Game Hunter (IRE) 6-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, mistake 5 out, soon on terms, headed and no extra in 3rd from before 2 out, 3rd of 14, 18l behind Medical Card (11-12) at Limerick 2m 6f beg chs hvy in Dec.
Harpsy Cord (IRE) 11-2 (11-12) Tracked leaders and always prominent, 2nd halfway, no impression on winner in straight and dropped to 3rd before last, no extra run-in, 3rd of 13, 27l behind Rathlin (11-12) at Fairyhouse 2m 5f beg chase in Jan.
Kilbrannish Hill (IRE) 20-1 (11-9) Always towards rear, tailed off, 8th of 11, well behind Gran Torino (11-9) at Down Royal 2m 4f beg chs hvy in Dec.
Sole Witness (IRE) 8-1 (11-1) Chased clear leader in 2nd, closer from 4th and led 6th until headed 5 out, led again briefly 3 out, no extra under pressure entering straight and dropped to moderate 5th next, 5th of 9, 23l behind Galant Ferns (11-12) at Fairyhouse 2m 6f hcp hdl 8Evens16 sft in Jan.
Soll 9-2 (11-12) Chased leaders, improved to lead and dispute 8th, ridden in 2nd entering straight, stayed on to lead last, soon strongly pressed, kept on, headed close home, 2nd of 7, nk behind Son Amix (11-11) at Punchestown 3m beg chs hvy in Dec.
Spot The Boss (IRE) 33-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, jumped poorly, 7th halfway, no extra after 5 out and behind when pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Raptor (11-12) at Punchestown 2m 4f beg chs sft in Nov, 14 ran.
Swanfold (IRE) 14-1 (11-7) Soon close up and disputed lead, headed 3 out, dropped to moderate 5th and no extra from before straight, tailed off, 6th of 15, well behind Up The Beat (11-12) at Fairyhouse 2m 5f beg chs hvy in Dec.
Baby's Hot (IRE) 33-1 (11-5) Soon in rear, struggling from 5 out, soon no danger, last of 6, 35l behind Shot From The Hip (11-12) at Fairyhouse 2m 1f beg chase sft in Jan.
Shellys Creek (IRE) 50-1 (11-5) Rear of mid-division, mistake 1st, no threat from 3 out, tailed off, 8th of 13, well behind Rathlin (11-12) at Fairyhouse 2m 5f beg chase in Jan.