led, ridden and headed entering straight, weakened
tracked leaders on inner, improved to lead entering straight, ridden and joined 2f out, headed 1f out, no impression final furlong
tracked leader in 2nd, improved to dispute lead 4f out, ridden and headed entering straight, weakened
in rear, pushed along briefly 4f out, headway into 8th entering straight, soon short of room and switched to outer, ridden to lead 1f out, kept on under pressure inside final furlong, headed and no extra near line
rear of mid-division on inner, took keen hold, short of room on inner entering straight, pushed along in 7th 2f out, soon switched to outer, ridden in 5th 1f out, 3rd inside final furlong, 2nd close home, stayed on well to lead near line
tracked leaders, pushed along entering straight, under pressure in 5th when bumped rail and jinked and unseated rider 2f out
tracked leaders on outer, 6th entering straight, ridden in 4th 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong
in rear, last on outer entering straight, soon ridden and no impression
tracked leaders, ridden in 3rd 2f out, soon no impression
mid-division early, rear of mid-division after 3f, headway into 6th entering straight, ridden and disputed lead 2f out, headed 1f out, 3rd and no extra close home
Willie Mullins had a tremendous run with his bumper horses over the holidays and GRIVEI, the first foal of a Grade 2 winning jumper in France, is certain to come in for support and can continue the trend. Gordon Elliott's Caldwell Diamond has more of a Flat-based pedigree on the dam's side so wouldn't want conditions to deteriorate further. Silver King couldn't get close enough at Naas but was staying on and may prove best of those with experience though Spanish Present ran his best race on heavy going so further rain would aid his cause.
Ballyglass Beauty (IRE) 66-1 (11-6) Held up towards rear, ran freely, rapid headway to lead before 2nd, mistake 6th, joined 8th, mistake and headed 3 out, soon ridden and weakened, behind when pulled up before last, at Limerick 2m 5f mdn hvy in Dec.
Caldwell Diamond (FR) Sholokhov gelding out of Kerry Rose.
Daghdha (IRE) 11-1 (12-2) In rear, headway into 4th and ridden 3f out, moderate 3rd 2f out, no impression in moderate 4th final furlong, 4th of 9, 25l behind Gringo D'aubrelle (12-2) at Navan 2m gd in Nov.
Grivei (FR) Muhtathir gelding out of Stourza.
Heliko Conti (FR) 100-1 (11-4) Raced off pace towards rear, detached at 3rd, moderate 5th after 4th, effort after 3 out, kept on same pace in moderate 5th after 2 out, never a factor, 5th of 7, 22 1/4l behind Saint Felicien (11-11) at Gowran Park 2m Yielding in Nov.
Passing Well (FR) 80-1 (11-9) Mid-division, some headway approaching 4 out, 10th early straight, no threat from 2 out, kept on one pace, 6th of 23, dist behind Hawai Game (11-9) at Naas 2m 3f mdn Yielding in Dec.
Peaceful Sunday (FR) 16-1 (11-4) Mid-division, joined leader 2 out, headed before last, kept on, never troubled winner, 2nd of 11, 5 1/2l behind O Connell Street (11-4) at Hexham 2m 4f mdn (4) gd in Jun.
Plains Indian (IRE) 18-1 (11-9) Settled behind leaders, 7th halfway, progress into 5th and slight mistake 2 out, ridden into 3rd before last, no impression on leaders when slight mistake last, kept on same pace, 3rd of 18, 8 1/4l behind Red Gerry (11-9) at Punchestown 2m 1f mdn Yielding in Sep.
Sammy Smart Kalanisi gelding out of Fancy Fisher.
Spanish Present (IRE) 13-2 (12-2) Chased leaders and 4th from halfway, ridden in 3rd from 2f out, no impression inside final furlong and dropped to 4th close home, 4th of 17, 5 3/4l behind Mr Saxobeat (12-2) at Galway 2m 2f gd in Jul.
Silver King (IRE) 80-1 (12-2) Rear of mid-division, closer early straight, pushed along and headway into 5th under 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on one pace inside final furlong to go 3rd closing stages, 3rd of 14, 3 1/4l behind Killer Mode (12-2) at Naas 2m Yielding in Dec.
