held up towards rear, ridden into 7th 2 out, 5th last, kept on same pace run-in
chased leaders, 5th halfway, ridden in 4th entering straight, no extra before last
chased leaders, 7th halfway, headway into 3rd 2 out, ridden after 2 out, no extra in 4th last, kept on one pace
mid-division, headway into 5th 3 out, ridden into 2nd 2 out, no extra before last
reluctant to line up, made all, ridden after 2 out, kept on well
held up towards rear, 10th 4 out, no impression before 2 out
chased leaders, 6th halfway, improved to 3rd 4 out, ridden and no extra before 2 out
always towards rear, fell 2 out
chased leader, 2nd halfway, ridden entering straight, no extra before 2 out
chased leaders, 4th halfway, 7th 3 out, ridden into 5th 2 out, 3rd last, kept on same pace run-in
chased leader, 3rd halfway, ridden and weakened 3 out, tailed off
mid-division, ridden into 6th 2 out, 2nd approaching last where slight mistake, no impression winner run-in, kept on same pace
towards rear for most, never a factor
held up towards rear, headway into 8th entering straight, ridden and no impression 2 out, kept on one pace
Joxer proved himself a potential star when runner-up to the high-class Monksland at Down Royal but the assessor has hit him hard and he makes his handicap debut with a big weight in this tough event. Beef To The Heels has generally been very consistent and even an 8lb rise for his latest victory at Punchestown is unlikely to prevent another big effort, especially with Jane Mangan's claim to aid his cause. KING OF QUEENS went up 10lb for his victory at Cork but has since run well on the Flat and, with just six runs over timber behind him, he looks progressive enough to defy the extra. Acriveen has had a new lease of life recently and will love the conditions though he's back on a high enough mark and Saint Gervais may prove more of a threat as he's been running well on the level.
Joxer (IRE) 25-1 (11-2) Held up in rear, headway in 4th before 2 out, 2nd 2 out, ridden before last and no impression, briefly pressed winner after last, no extra closing stages, 2nd of 6, 2l behind Monksland (11-8) at Down Royal 2m hdl G2 (1) gd in Nov.
Beef To The Heels (IRE) 4-1 (10-10) Settled behind leaders, improved to 3rd halfway, ridden before 2 out, stayed on to dispute before last, led last, kept on well under pressure run-in, won at Punchestown 2m hcp hdl 0-140 hvy in Nov beating Maxim Gorky (10-13) by 2 1/4l, 9 ran.
Saint Gervais (IRE) 5-2fav (11-12) Held up, niggled along before halfway where 8th, ridden and no impression 3 out, no extra in 7th before 2 out, 7th of 9, well behind Face Value (10-10) at Galway 2m nh nov hdl sft in Jul.
Citizenship 12-1 (11-5) Settled in 5th, ridden along in 4th after 3 out and soon no extra, weakened, 5th of 6, well behind Miley Shah (10-11) at Punchestown 2m hdl Grd 3 (1) hvy in Oct.
King Of Queens (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Soon mid-division, 7th 4 out, came through travelling well to lead before 2 out, stayed on well run-in, comfortably, won at Cork 2m hcp hdl 80-116 in Oct beating Galianna (11-10) by 2 1/4l, 12 ran.
Sportsmaster (IRE) 20-1 (11-7) Held up early, improved to 5th halfway, ridden in 4th 3 out, no extra before next, 7th of 9, 45l behind Beef To The Heels (10-10) at Punchestown 2m hcp hdl 0-140 hvy in Nov.
Silver Friend 7-1 (10-9) Chased leaders, mistake 6 out, 6th 4 out, soon no impression, 11th of 15, 45l behind Come To The Party (10-1) at Cork 2m 4f hcp hdl sft in Nov.
El Mondo (FR) 12-1 (11-3) Always towards rear, ridden and no extra before 3 out, weakened, 8th of 9, well behind Beef To The Heels (10-10) at Punchestown 2m hcp hdl 0-140 hvy in Nov.
Blue Cannon (IRE) 7-1 (9-11) Soon mid-division, closer order after 3 out, no impression in 6th from next, no impression in 5th and kept on from last, 4th of 13, 7l behind Beef To The Heels (9-3) at Down Royal 2m hcp hdl 0-150 gs in Nov.
Acriveen (IRE) 7-1 (9-10) Tracked leaders, ridden in 3rd 2 out, led before last, stayed on well run-in, won at Naas 2m 3f hcp hdl hvy in Oct beating Dancing Tornado (11-3) by 2 1/4l, 12 ran.
Bay Of Kotor (IRE) 12-1 (11-5) Mid-division, no impression 3 out, weakened and tailed off, 10th of 12, well behind Yeoman (10-0) at Galway 2m 1f hcp chs 0-116 in Oct.
Celtic Cailin (IRE) 20-1 (10-8) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, 2nd entering straight, ridden and no impression before 2 out, 3rd last, kept on same pace, 3rd of 7, 8l behind Sizing Rio (10-12) at Navan 2m nov hdl Grd 3 (1) in Nov.
To The Sky (IRE) 11-2 (11-7) Mid-division on inner, 7th halfway, headway to go 3rd after 2 out, driven along and no extra when mistake last, 3rd of 12, 25l behind Jezki (11-7) at Naas 2m 4yo mdn hdl sft in Oct.
Gentleman Duke (IRE) Evensfav (11-5) Tracked leaders, 4th 3 out, headway to challenge next and led last, soon strongly pressed and headed on run-in, no impression on winner final 50 yards, 2nd of 16, 1 1/4l behind Bullet Street (11-9) at Limerick 2m cond mdn hdl hvy in Nov.
