chased leaders, 5th halfway, progress into 2nd 4f out, led entering straight, ridden and strongly pressed 2f out, headed 1 1/2f out, no extra in 3rd 1f out, kept on one pace final furlong
dwelt, soon improved to chase leaders, led after 1 1/2f, ridden and headed entering straight, soon no extra
chased leaders, 4th halfway, dropped to 7th 3f out, ridden and no impression over 2f out, kept on one pace
held up in mid-division, 7th halfway, progress in 4th 3f out, challenged 2f out, ridden in 3rd 1 1/2f out, 2nd 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, lost 2nd close home
disputed early, chased leaders after 1 1/2f, 3rd halfway, ridden in 5th 3f out, no impression 2f out, kept on one pace
held up towards rear, progress on outer 2f out, ridden into 4th 1 1/2f out, kept on well final furlong to 2nd close home
soon mid-division, 6th halfway, progress entering straight, improved to challenge 2f out, ridden to lead 1 1/2f out, kept on well from over 1f out
disputed early, chased leader after 1 1/2f, 2nd halfway, ridden in 4th 2f out, no extra 1 1/2f out
dwelt, always towards rear, ridden and no impression over 2f out
held up in rear, ridden 2f out, no impression in 8th 1f out, kept on one pace final furlong
DARWINS FOX is a high-class hurdler and chaser who has a bumper victory to his credit. He hasn't run since placed twice in Grade 2 races over timber in the autumn but his quality can see him home in front. Macnicholson was also running well over timber at the same time and he can go well along with Knight's Parade, an easy winner of a novice hurdle at Carlisle when last seen in October and four times a winner on the Flat. Zeftan won a 1m4f handicap at the Curragh in June though he's yet to prove he stays this far on the level but Rory O'Moore has no problems with the trip having won three bumpers and scored twice over hurdles.
Aladdins Cave 20-1 (9-7) Towards rear, ridden on inner 2f out, kept on without threatening on inner final furlong, 7th of 13, 6l behind Moonmeister (8-11) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp pol in Dec.
Rory O'Moore (IRE) 7-2 (11-0) Soon led and clear, 8 lengths advantage halfway, reduced lead 5f out, ridden and headed under 2f out, 3rd and no chance with winner 1f out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 13, 5l behind Storm Away (10-9) at Wexford 2m amat mdn stks in May.
Darwins Fox (FR) 14-1 (10-5) Held up, 13th before halfway, went moderate 7th 2f out, soon no impression and kept on same pace, 7th of 16, 16l behind Dalasiri (9-12) at Curragh 1m 4f mdn stks in Jun.
Macnicholson (IRE) 9-4 (10-3) Chased leader in 2nd, close up after 2f, disputed after 4f, ridden in lead 2f out, soon challenged, headed 1f out, no extra and kept on same pace final furlong, 2nd of 3, 5l behind Alton Bay (11-7) at Wexford 2m am stks (4yo+) gd in Aug.
Havelock Ellis 7-2 (8-6) Chased leader, moderate 4th, closer 5f out, ridden and no impression under 2f out, no extra, 5th of 7, 9l behind Sharjah (8-13) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcap pol in Jan.
Zeftan (IRE) 11-4fav (11-7) Prominent early, tracked leaders and 5th halfway, ridden and no impression in 4th 2f out, went moderate 3rd 1f out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 7, 16l behind Wither Hills (11-4) at Curragh 1m 4f ldy hcp gf in Jul.
Knight's Parade (IRE) 4-1 (9-13) Rear of mid-division, 9th halfway, ridden over 2f out, progress to 6th 1f out, no further headway, 6th of 14, 12l behind Carraroe Flyer (8-11) at Dundalk 2m hcp 50-75 pol in Sep.
Mountain Kingdom (IRE) 7-2 (9-5) Prominent early, soon mid-division, 7th halfway, ridden in 6th 2f out, stayed on into 4th 1f out, kept on in 3rd and slight hampered inside final furlong, no extra closing stages, 3rd of 11, 3l behind Sar Oiche (9-0) at Dundalk 2m mdn stks pol in Jan.
Armed Guard (IRE) 16-1 (8-13) Held up towards rear, ridden 2f out, some late headway into 9th 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 7th of 14, 6l behind Mount Flora (8-9) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp 47-65 pol in Jan.
Glasson Lad (IRE) 20-1 (8-12) Dwelt, soon tracked leader, pushed along under 5f out, dropped to moderate 6th before straight, no impression 2f out, eased from over 1f out,, 11th of 14, 29l behind Well Insured (8-11) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp 47-65 pol in Jan.
