chased leader, closer in 4th after 4 out, not fluent 2 out, pushed along and no impression in 3rd approaching last, kept on one pace
chased clear leader, 3rd halfway, closer in 2nd 4 out, slight mistake next, ridden and dropped to 4th 2 out, no extra approaching last
rear of mid-division, never a factor, pushed along 3 out, 10th and not fluent next, no impression approaching last, kept on one pace
chased clear leader, closer in 3rd 4 out, 2nd 2 out, pushed along and no impression on winner when mistake last, kept on one pace
always towards rear, never a factor, no impression in rear 3 out, kept on one pace
mid-division, mistake 2nd, pushed along after 4 out and dropped towards rear before next, no extra and pulled up before last
chased clear leader, headway to lead approaching 4 out, travelled well 2 out and asserted before last, stayed on well run-in, easily
chased clear leader, no extra and dropped to rear after 4th, pushed along and detached before 4 out, pulled up before 3 out
rear of mid-division on outer, pushed along 3 out and 8th next, no impression approaching last, no extra
mid-division, closer 4 out and went 5th after 3 out, ridden to go 4th approaching last where not fluent, no impression run-in, kept on one pace
chased leader, 7th after 4 out, pushed along and no extra from next
led, wandered before 1st, soon clear and 25 lengths lead after 3rd, pushed along and headed approaching 4 out, soon weakened, behind and pulled up before 3 out
mid-division, closer before 4 out, pushed along in 5th approaching 3 out, no impression when not fluent 2 out, no extra, weakened
rear of mid-division, some headway after 4 out, pushed along before 2 out, ridden and no impression in 6th approaching last, kept on one pace
towards rear, 15th 3 out, some headway before next, went 7th and not fluent last, kept on run-in, nearest at finish
mid-division, closer in 6th before 4 out, ridden and no extra after 3 out, weakened
mid-division, pushed along and no impression in rear of mid-division 4 out, kept on one pace from 2 out, never a factor
always towards rear, never a factor, pushed along and no extra after 4 out, weakened, tailed off
rear of mid-division, pecked 1st, pushed along and some headway after 3 out, ridden and no impression in 7th after next, no extra
always towards rear, never a factor, pushed along and detached approaching 4 out, no extra, behind and pulled up before 2 out
This shouldn't take much winning despite the big field. Dual bumper winner First Figaro was there for a long way on his hurdling bow at Leopardstown last month and will have come on for the experience. Gordon Elliott has two entries and Falak can prove best of the pair. A winner at Nottingham for Roger Varian, he produced a much improved effort on his second start over timber at Fairyhouse where he didn't get the run of the race. CELTIC RISING, a winning point-to-pointer, attempted to make all at Limerick and fought back well when headed at the last. He looks very progressive and though likely to need further in time today's testing condition should ensure he gets a stamina test. Lord In Red was a long way behind in that latter contest and Speaker Connolly looked as though he needed further when well beaten at Thurles.
First Figaro (GER) 14-1 (11-12) Raced in 8th early, slight mistake 3rd, 6th after 3 out, no impression from next where slight mistake and no extra straight, 9th of 14, dist behind Paloma Blue (11-12) at Leopardstown 2m mdn Yielding in Dec.
Kerosin (GER) 50-1 (9-2) 7th of 8, 18 1/4l behind Postponed (9-2) at Longchamp 1m 4f Grp 2 sft in Sep.
Colonel Maximus (IRE) 12-1 (9-11) Tracked leader, 2nd halfway, pushed along approaching straight, ridden over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 9th of 18, 3l behind Serefeli (9-12) at Galway 1m 1f hcp Yielding in Aug.
Falak (IRE) 33-1 (11-9) Mid-division on inner, bad mistake 4th, headway into 3rd entering straight, ridden to dispute lead 2 out, headed and dropped to 5th at last, no extra, 5th of 15, 14 3/4l behind Dortmund Park (11-9) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f mdn hvy in Jan.
Blue Skimmer (IRE) 16-1 (9-10) Keen in touch, ridden 2f out, not pace to challenge, 6th of 11, 3 3/4l behind Theglasgowwarrior (9-4) at Newcastle 1m 4f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Boy Capel (IRE) 100-1 (11-12) Towards rear, detached in 8th at 3rd, no impression, never a factor, 10th of 11, dist behind Articulum (11-12) at Cork 2m mdn Soft - Heavy in Nov.
Celtic Rising (IRE) 25-1 (11-4) Prominent early before improving to lead after 1st, headed before 2 out and ridden before last, kept on again to challenge run-in, no extra close home, 2nd of 9, 1 1/4l behind Ministerforsport (11-12) at Limerick 2m mdn hvy in Dec.
Harrys Lane (IRE) Canoe gelding out of Single Vision.
Hero's Welcome (IRE) Oscar gelding out of Satellite Dancer.
Lord In Red (GER) 12-1 (11-4) Mid-division on inner and 6th halfway, pushed along from 3 out, no impression before next and kept on same pace, 6th of 9, dist behind Ministerforsport (11-12) at Limerick 2m mdn hvy in Dec.
The White Volcano (IRE) 5-2 (12-2) Chsd ldrs 3rd, 3rd 1/2way, prog disp 3out & hdd next, 3rd bef last, ko, 3rd of 7, 14 1/2l behind Lagan Island (12-2) at Moira 3m hvy in Dec.
Vecheka (IRE) 25-1 (8-7) Mid-division, headway over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 8th of 11, 10 1/2l behind Joyful Star (8-9) at Newcastle 7f hcp (6) pol in Jan.
Young Boru (IRE) 40-1 (12-0) Held up in rear, headway into 4th 3f out, soon ridden, no impression in moderate 4th from 2f out, 4th of 6, 36l behind Dunvegan (11-12) at Fairyhouse 2m hvy in Jan.
Cadougarde (FR) 28-1 (10-12) In rear, effort over 2f out, never dangerous, 6th of 10, 19 3/4l behind I'm To Blame (10-12) at Catterick 2m (6) gs in Nov.
Jack Wade (IRE) 50-1 (11-2) Towards rear, progress to 5th 4 out, soon niggled along, weakened after 3 out, 7th of 9, dist behind Penneys Hun (11-2) at Tramore 2m mdn Yielding in Aug.
Jimmy Rabbitte (IRE) 100-1 (11-9) Soon prominent, on terms approaching 5th, soon led, slight mistake 6th, joined approaching straight, soon headed, no impression when not fluent last, no extra, one pace, 11th of 17, 25 1/2l behind Gran Geste (11-9) at Navan 2m mdn hvy in Dec.
Speaker Connolly (IRE) 14-1 (11-4) Mid-division, pushed along in 7th 3 out and no impression before next, no extra, 6th of 16, dist behind Pete So High (10-10) at Thurles 2m mdn hvy in Jan.
Ask Madge (IRE) 40-1 (10-11) Mid-division, bad mistake 5th, ridden and weakened before 5 out, fell 4 out, at Down Royal 2m 4f mdn hvy in Dec.
Drumnagreagh (IRE) 50-1 (11-5) Mid-division on outer, no impression from 3 out, never a factor, 7th of 14, 34l behind Minnies Secret (11-7) at Fairyhouse 2m mdn sft in Jan.
Likethemudda (IRE) 50-1 (10-11) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, weakened before 4 out, tailed off, 12th of 14, dist behind Stooshie (11-4) at Down Royal 2m mdn hvy in Dec.
Rock On Westie (IRE) 14-1 (11-12) Mid-division best, ridden and no extra 4 out, weakened, 15th of 17, dist behind Cubomania (11-10) at Down Royal 2m hcp hvy in Dec.