tracked leader in 2nd, dropped to 4th 5 out, ridden in 4th 3 out, went moderate 3rd after 2 out, kept on same pace run-in
tracked leaders in 3rd, went 2nd before 5 out, led travelling well after 3 out, clear from next, stayed on strongly run-in, not extended
towards rear, 8th 4 out, ridden from next, soon no impression
mid-division, hampered 1st, slight mistake 5 out and pushed along briefly, ridden in 3rd 3 out, went moderate 2nd after 2 out, kept on without threatening winner from last
rear of mid-division, 6th when mistake 4 out, soon ridden and weakened, pulled up before last
tracked leaders in 4th, dropped to 7th 4 out, soon ridden and no impression
tracked leaders early until hampered 1st, soon mid-division, progress into 3rd 4 out, ridden in 5th next, no impression
rear of mid-division on inner, not fluent 3rd and dropped to last, no impression from 5 out, never a factor
led, mistake 1st, ridden and headed after 3 out, dropped to moderate 4th after 2 out, soon no impression
The front-running Arnaud was still there with every chance when falling two out in a Listed contest at Thurles on Monday and makes a quick reappearance. Days Hotel is a regular winner at Grade 2 level and this is his first ever start in a handicap. His two recent placed efforts in better class suggest he would be well in here at his best. He was conceding 8lb to Mallowney and Alderwood when splitting that pair in the Grade 2 Hilly Way at Cork last month. Mallowney was beaten seven lengths by BRIGHT NEW DAWN at Navan in February and was also behind Sandra Hughes' charge in the Grade 1 Paddy Power Dial-A-Bet at Leopardstown. That was the latter's opening run of the campaign so he'll take some beating here. Competitive Edge is better over further but Sraid Padraig ran well behind Mister Hotelier here in November, though the winner has since been well beaten. It's rare to see a Willie Mullins' entry at the bottom of the weights and Abbey Lane shouldn't be discounted after a fair effort in the Paddy Power.
Days Hotel (IRE) 10-1 (11-10) Tracked leader in 2nd, improved to dispute lead 5 out, led next, ridden and strongly pressed 3 out, headed 2 out, dropped to 3rd at last, no extra, 3rd of 10, 4 1/2l behind Felix Yonger (11-10) at Cork 2m chs Grd 2 (1) in Dec.
Mallowney (IRE) 16-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, ridden into 6th entering straight, 5th and no impression before last, kept on one pace, 6th of 9, 17l behind Twinlight (11-12) at Leopardstown 2m 1f chs G1 (1) hvy in Dec.
Alderwood (IRE) 100-1 (11-10) Tracked leader, 2nd halfway, pushed along and dropped to rear 2 out, weakened, last of 7, 30l behind Hurricane Fly (11-10) at Leopardstown 2m hdl G1 (1) sft in Dec.
Bright New Dawn (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, progress into 2nd 3 out, ridden entering straight, no extra in 3rd before last, 4th last, kept on one pace run-in, 4th of 9, 11l behind Twinlight (11-12) at Leopardstown 2m 1f chs G1 (1) hvy in Dec.
Competitive Edge (IRE) 16-1 (11-5) Mid-division, 8th early, not fluent 3rd, 7th from 7th, no extra from 3 out, tailed off, 14th of 15, well behind Page Turner (10-5) at Limerick 2m 3f hcap ch in Dec.
Arnaud (IRE) 5-1 (11-3) Led, disputed from 9th, upsides and every chance when fell 2 out, in a race won by Mount Colah (11-10) at Thurles 2m 2f lst chs (1), 7 ran.
Sraid Padraig (IRE) 6-1 (11-0) Close up, soon 2nd, on terms 5 out, led from next, asserting when bad mistake last, narrowly headed run-in, rallied, not quite get back to winner, 2nd of 13, 1/2l behind Mister Hotelier (10-5) at Fairyhouse 2m 1f hcap ch in Nov.
Abbey Lane (IRE) 25-1 (10-11) Led and disputed, slight mistake 2 out, ridden entering straight, headed before last, no extra, 6th of 26, 13l behind Living Next Door (10-9) at Leopardstown 3m hcap ch hvy in Dec.
Kilcarry Bridge (IRE) 8-1 (10-9) Mid-division, progress into 3rd when fell 2nd, in a race won by Fosters Cross (10-10) at Thurles 2m hcp hdl hvy in Dec, 12 ran.
Savello (IRE) 33-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, ridden in rear and no impression before 3 out, last of 9, 31l behind Twinlight (11-12) at Leopardstown 2m 1f chs G1 (1) hvy in Dec.
