mid-division, good headway to lead after 3 out, went clear 2 out, reduced lead when slow jump at last, headed early flat and ridden, rallied well to regain lead close home
mid-division, ridden in 5th after 3 out, no extra
took keen hold and soon prominent, disputed lead from 4th, headed and weakened from 3 out
in rear, no impression from 4 out
mid-division, headway into 4th after 3 out, ridden in 3rd next, led under pressure early run-in, kept on same pace and headed close home
rear of mid-division, fell 4th
tracked leaders, ridden and weakened from 4 out
tracked leaders, disputed lead briefly after 3 out, soon ridden and headed, weakened from 2 out
tracked leaders, dropped to mid-division halfway, no impression from 3 out
held up towards rear, progress into 5th 4 out, ridden in 2nd 2 out, dropped to 3rd at last, kept on same pace
always behind
mid-division, ridden and kept on same pace from 3 out
in rear, some modest late headway from 3 out
towards rear, headway into 6th after 3 out, ridden and kept on same pace straight
led and jumped left, joined from 4th, headed and weakened from 3 out, soon behind
Staying Article was having his first start since beating Rivage D'Or a year ago when a close second to Savello over the C&D last month and looks a very nice prospect. He makes his handicap debut in this very tough contest and may not be quite good enough to concede the weight to some useful opposition including Montan. Tony Martin's charge has been raised 8lb for finishing runner-up to Lucky Spring at Down Royal but is still 13lb below his chasing mark and looks sure to go close. Willie Mullins runs both Inspector Clouseau and QUISCOVER FONTAINE. The former had little chance from his handicap mark at Cheltenham last time and may be a few pounds high but it's the latter who gets the nod as he has been running well over fences and has definitely made progress since his last run over timber. The youngster Launchpad has run badly on his two latest starts but remains a fair prospect and makes his handicap debut while recent winners Citizenship and Star Of Aragon make this an interesting and competitive event.
Staying Article (IRE) 9-10fav (11-12) Settled behind leaders, 4th halfway, headway into 2nd 3 out, ridden to challenge approaching 2 out, no extra in 3rd last, 2nd again run-in and kept on, not reach winner, 2nd of 7, 3/4l behind Savello (11-12) at Fairyhouse 2m hdl sft in Nov.
Inspector Clouseau (IRE) 25-1 (10-10) Mid-division, outpaced 3 out, no impression from next, 9th of 23, 13l behind Brampour (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m hcp hdl Grade 3 (1) gs in Nov.
Bob Lingo (IRE) 33-1 (11-5) Chased leader in 2nd, ridden and weakened entering straight, 11th of 14, 38l behind Dare To Doubt (11-7) at Punchestown 2m hcp hdl 0-140 sft in Nov.
Quiscover Fontaine (FR) 33-1 (10-9) Towards rear, some headway from 5 out, stayed on from early straight to go 4th before last, kept on one pace, 4th of 25, 11l behind Organisedconfusion (9-13) at Fairyhouse 3m 5f Ext hcp ch gd in Apr.
Montan (FR) 7-4fav (10-10) Settled mid-division, headway into 3rd 3 out, challenged travelling well last, ridden run-in, no extra close home, 2nd of 14, 3/4l behind Lucky Spring (11-0) at Down Royal 2m hcp hdl 0-140 sft in Nov.
Devils Bit (IRE) 5-2 (11-7) Tracked leaders, niggled along from 3 out, no extra next, pulled up entering straight, in a race won by Virgil Earp (11-4) at Galway 2m 4yo nov hdl gd in Jul, 9 ran.
Launchpad 10-1 (10-9) Chased clear leader in 5th, pushed along after 4 out, soon no extra, 5th of 6, well behind Owega Star (10-9) at Naas 2m 4f hdl hvy in Oct.
King's Parade 5-1 (9-11) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, close 5th 2 out, no extra from before last, 7th of 17, 7l behind He'llberemembered (10-4) at Naas 2m 4f hcp hdl hvy in Oct.
Sword Fish (IRE) 14-1 (9-11) Mid-division, hard ridden from 5 out, 4th 3 out, headway lead after 2 out, strongly pressed and joined briefly early run-in, kept on well inside final furlong, won at Listowel 2m 4yo hcp hdl gd in Sep '10 beating Leblon (10-10) by 1/2l, 15 ran.
Citizenship 12-1 (11-7) Settled in rear of mid-division, 8th approaching 3 out, smooth headway to go 2nd after 2 out, led early straight and soon stretched clear, kept on well, very easily, won at Punchestown 2m nov hcp hdl 80-109 sft in Nov beating Starling Lady (10-12) by 9l, 15 ran.
Morning Ireland (IRE) 7-1 (9-12) Chased leaders, 3rd 3 out, on terms before next, soon headed and no extra, 7th of 11, 25l behind Capellanus (10-6) at Galway 2m hcp hdl hvy in Oct.
Apache Drums (IRE) 14-1 (10-2) Mid-division, ridden into 8th before last, no impression and kept on one pace, 10th of 14, 18l behind Dare To Doubt (11-7) at Punchestown 2m hcp hdl 0-140 sft in Nov.
Star Of Aragon (IRE) 12-1 (9-11) Held up, not fluent 2nd, headway after 5th, went 2nd 2 out, led last, ridden and edged left flat, ran on well, won at Cheltenham 2m hcp (3) gf in Oct beating Priors Gold (11-4) by 2 1/4l, 8 ran.
Jeunopse (IRE) 14-1 (9-10) Held up in rear, some headway approaching 2 out, kept on without troubling leaders, 8th of 17, 9l behind He'llberemembered (10-4) at Naas 2m 4f hcp hdl hvy in Oct.
Luddsdenene (IRE) 16-1 (11-7) Led, extended advantage after 4 out, reduced lead and pushed along when jumped left and fell 2 out, in a race won by Rockyaboya (11-12) at Limerick 2m 1f beg chs gd in Nov, 16 ran.
