disputed lead, headed 10th, disputed 2nd 4 out, ridden in 3rd 3 out, soon no impression on leaders
disputed lead, led from 10th, ridden and headed 3 out, no impression on winner before last, rallied inside final furlong, stayed on well close home, strongly pressed winner to line
held up in last, 4th and slight mistake 10th, left 3rd at 12th, improved to dispute 2nd 4 out, led travelling well 3 out, clear at last, ridden run-in, strongly pressed close home, all out
led but jumped slowly and headed at times, headed 6th and reminders next, dropped to last from 8th, no impression from next, left moderate 4th from 12th, weakened from 4 out
tracked leaders, slight mistake 11th, 3rd when fell 12th
Monbeg Notorious won this last year on heavy going and his three runs this campaign have been in very tough handicap company. Top Moon was a 50/1 chance in a Grade B handicap at Leopardstown but only just failed to concede 8lb to stable companion A Wave Of The Sea. That was only his sixth start over fences and easily the best. Goose Man, a dual winner over hurdles and fences, has also been racing in strong company and was a close sixth in a Grade A handicap at Leopardstown last month, form that puts him right in the picture. TOUT EST PERMIS started out over fences as a four-year-old and has won four times including a Grade 2. He's on a long losing run but his close third behind The Storyteller in the Grade 1 Champion Chase here in October is the best form on view.
Crosshue Boy (IRE) 33-1 (11-1) Waited with towards rear, slight mistake 2 out, no extra approaching last, last of 10, 29 1/4l behind Wingin A Prayer (11-5) at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp hvy in Dec.
Dorking Cock (IRE) 50-1 (9-12) Chased leaders, 6th halfway, ridden and no impression before 3 out, kept on one pace, 10th of 20, 19 3/4l behind Damalisque (10-2) at Navan 2m 4f hcp hvy in Jan.
Goose Man (IRE) 33-1 (10-3) Mid-division, closer in 8th before 2 out, ridden in 6th entering straight, no impression before last, kept on same pace, 6th of 22, 7 3/4l behind Off You Go (10-8) at Leopardstown 2m 5f hcp sft in Feb.
Monbeg Notorious (IRE) 50-1 (10-10) Held up, improved to dispute 5th, soon led, joined 4 out, soon headed, ridden in 2nd entering straight, no extra in 4th when slight mistake last, kept on one pace, 4th of 18, 19l behind The Big Dog (10-11) at Punchestown 3m 4f hcp sft in Feb.
Tout Est Permis (FR) 5-1 (11-2) Prominent, soon 3rd, jumped slightly right 4th and at times after, pushed along briefly from 4 out, pushed along again after next and not go with front pair, dropped to 4th run-in, one pace, 4th of 5, 10l behind Acapella Bourgeois (11-8) at Fairyhouse 3m 1f (1) Soft - Heavy in Feb.
Call It Magic (IRE) 28-1 (11-6) Led and disputed, pressed after 21st, slow 23rd, ridden and joined before 2 out, headed before last, kept on one pace, 4th of 17, 15 1/2l behind Shady Operator (11-6) at Punchestown 3m 1f sft in Feb.
Top Moon (FR) 50-1 (10-6) Mid-division, mistake 1st, 8th 3 out and some headway next, pushed along and headway on outer to go 4th at last, ridden and kept on well final 100 yards, not reach winner, 2nd of 20, nk behind A Wave Of The Sea (10-3) at Leopardstown 2m 1f hcp sft in Feb.
