held up towards rear, progress into 5th at 8th, closer in 4th 4 out, ridden before straight, no extra 3 out, 5th and weakened before 2 out
always towards rear, slight mistakes 7th and 8th, weakened before 4 out, pulled up after 2 out
led, clear from 4th, reduced advantage 3 out, ridden and challenged 2 out, headed approaching last, no extra run-in, kept on same pace
chased leaders, moderate 3rd halfway, closer in 2nd 3 out, ridden before 2 out, stayed on to challenge 2 out, led approaching last, ran around slightly after last, kept on well closing stages
chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden in 5th and no impression before straight, stayed on into moderate 4th before 2 out, no impression on leaders, kept on one pace
chased leader, moderate 2nd from 4th, ridden in 3rd before 3 out, closer 3 out, no extra before 2 out, kept on one pace
chased leaders, 5th halfway, ridden in 6th and no impression before straight, weakened and tailed off
always towards rear, ridden and no impression 4 out, weakened
Six of the last 10 favourites have been successful in this. Gordon Elliott relies on NOBLE ENDEAVOR from his original entries and though beaten in both starts over fences the form of his third place behind Monksland at Gowran has been boosted by the subsequent victory of runner-up Roi Des Francs and this should prove within his capabilities. Unbeaten point-to-pointer Venitien De Mai was beaten five lengths by the latter over hurdles in January when receiving 11lb but was in touch when falling at the last on his chasing debut at Thurles. Some Drama eventually finished runner-up in that latter event and was in the process of running a big race in a better race at Fairyhouse when unseating his rider at the last. Nosey Box hasn't been the most consistent over fences, though his two best runs have been on this track.
Dr Moloney (IRE) 16-1 (11-8) Held up behind, headway 11th, left 4th after 4 out, went 3rd 3 out, kept on same pace, no chance with front pair, 3rd of 10, 13 1/2l behind Boric (11-2) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Nov.
Fullwak (IRE) 150-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, reminder after 6 out, soon weakened, pulled up, at Ayr 2m 4f mdn (5) sft in Nov.
Marlbrook (IRE) 33-1 (11-12) Led, mistake 4th, almost fell 9th, quickly pulled up, at Navan 2m 4f hvy in Dec.
Noble Endeavor (IRE) 9-4 (11-12) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, closer before 4 out and 3rd approaching straight, no impression after 2 out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 14, 9l behind Monksland (11-12) at Gowran Park 2m 4f hvy in Nov.
Some Drama (IRE) 20-1 (11-12) Soon tracked leaders, close up 3 out and slight mistake, chased winner from before straight, soon no impression, slight mistake 2 out, bad mistake and unseated rider last,, at Fairyhouse 2m 5f sft in Nov.
Venitien De Mai (FR) 6-4fav (11-12) Ran freely, close up and disputed, slight mistake 7th, 2nd and slight mistake 4 out, close up again entering straight, ridden 2 out, under pressure in 2nd before last where fell, at Thurles 2m 6f Yielding in Nov.
I C Gold (IRE) 14-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, 6th halfway, fell 12th, at Tramore 2m 5f hvy in Dec.
Nosey Box (IRE) 10-1 (11-4) Led, headed approaching 6th, led again 8th, headed 11th, under pressure before 4 out, weakened after 3 out, modest 3rd, 3rd of 6, dist behind Courtown Oscar (11-0) at Wetherby 3m hcp (4) sft in Dec.
