mid-division on outer, 8th halfway, ridden and no extra after 3 out, weakened, completely tailed off
tracked leaders, 5th halfway, pushed along and no impression before 3 out, soon no extra, weakened
tracked leaders, mistake 4th and slight mistake 7th, 5th 4 out, pushed along when slight mistake 2 out and rider lost iron, no extra
tracked leader, 3rd when mistake and unseated rider 7th
tracked leader, 2nd halfway, slight mistake 4 out, pushed along 2 out and no impression in 3rd approaching last where slight mistake, no extra
tracked leaders, 3rd 5 out, headway into 2nd 2 out, ridden approaching last, no impression on winner run-in, kept on one pace
rear of mid-division, bad mistake 5th, towards rear 7th and detached before 4 out, no extra and pulled up before 3 out
mid-division, 6th after 3 out, pushed along after next and moderate 5th when slight mistake last, no extra
led, headed entering straight and dropped to 5th 2 out, soon no extra, weakened
held up in rear, some headway after 3 out and 7th next, went moderate 4th approaching last, pushed along and no impression run-in, kept on one pace
towards rear, some headway after 3 out and 8th next, soon ridden and no impression, no extra from before last
rear of mid-division, slight mistakes 5th and 7th, pushed along after 4 out and no extra after next, weakened
always towards rear, never a factor, no impression when slight mistake 4 out, soon ridden and no extra next, behind and pulled up before 2 out
tracked leaders, 6th halfway, 4th 5 out, headway travelling well to lead entering straight, ridden after 2 out and 1 length lead last, kept on well run-in
A very competitive field for a nice prize. Duca De Thaix won this a year ago and has been very highly tried subsequently. He was attempting to concede Avenir D'Une Vie 10lb when beaten seven lengths here in November and is entitled to get closer as is runner-up Doctor Phoenix, who won this in 2018. All three are trained by Gordon Elliott and are very difficult to separate. Ornua beat Us And Them almost two lengths in the Grade 1 Maghull Novices' Chase at Aintree in April and this is a big drop in class for both but this can go to Willie Mullins via BLAZER (NAP). A close third in the race a year ago, he looks to have been prepared for another crack having had just one subsequent run over hurdles. Kildorrery is looking reasonably handicapped and could snatch a place at a fair price.
Ornua (IRE) 25-1 (11-7) Led 1st, headed before 3 out, soon lost place, weakened from next, tailed off, last of 8, dist behind Defi Du Seuil (11-7) at Sandown 2m (1) sft in Dec.
Duca De Thaix (FR) 9-1 (11-10) Soon raced in 3rd, 2nd from 4 out, under pressure in 3rd again approaching straight, soon no impression, left 2nd from last, one pace run-in and dropped to 3rd near finish, 3rd of 6, 7 1/2l behind Avenir D'Une Vie (10-9) at Fairyhouse 2m hcp sft in Nov.
Us And Them (IRE) 6-1 (11-10) Raced in 4th early, 5th after 5th, a little slow at 7th, no extra from before 4 out, weakened, completely tailed off, 8th of 12, dist behind Minella Times (9-10) at Navan 2m 4f hcp sft in Dec.
Articulum (IRE) 5-1fav (11-10) Led and disputed until fell 8th, at Limerick 2m 4f hcp hvy in Dec.
Goulane Chosen (IRE) 33-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, slight mistake and hampered 8th, 4th when slight mistake 2 out, ridden and no impression in 5th before last, no extra, 5th of 16, 30 1/4l behind Sumos Novios (11-6) at Limerick 2m 4f hcp hvy in Dec.
Avenir D'Une Vie (FR) 4-1 (10-9) Led, joined 3 out, regained lead next, left clear last, stayed on well run-in, eased closing stages, won at Fairyhouse 2m hcp sft in Nov beating Doctor Phoenix (11-4) by 7l, 6 ran.
Doctor Phoenix (IRE) 16-1 (11-4) Soon raced in 4th, dropped to 5th before 8th, no impression approaching straight, moderate 4th from 2 out, left 3rd from last, kept on without threatening winner into 2nd near finish, 2nd of 6, 7l behind Avenir D'Une Vie (10-9) at Fairyhouse 2m hcp sft in Nov.
Blazer (FR) 25-1 (11-5) Raced in 7th early, slight mistake 3rd, effort towards outer from before straight, soon one pace, 13th of 19, 11 3/4l behind Off You Go (11-5) at Leopardstown 2m hcp Good - Yielding in Feb.
Arvico Bleu (IRE) 9-4 (11-12) Chased leader, hampered 1st, slightly bumped 4th, 3rd halfway, improved to lead and dispute at 5th, ridden in lead after 2 out, joined again last when fell, at Thurles 2m gd in Feb.
Kildorrery (IRE) 9-4 (10-7) Waited with in 5th, 4th before 8th, 3rd from 4 out, got on terms travelling smoothly 3 out, headed and jumped slightly left 2 out, not match winner when fell heavily last, at Fairyhouse 2m hcp sft in Nov.
Powersbomb (IRE) 25-1 (11-4) Waited with, some slight mistakes, closed from halfway, soon chased leaders, 3rd and mistake last, one pace, 4th of 16, 12l behind Drumconnor Lad (10-13) at Leopardstown 2m 1f hcp Yielding in Dec.
R'evelyn Pleasure (IRE) 14-1 (10-8) Rear of mid-division on outer, progress into 3rd at halfway, 2nd 2 out, led entering straight, soon ridden, headed at last, dropped to 4th and no extra inside final furlong, 4th of 11, 3 1/2l behind Mister Eddman (10-12) at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp Good - Yielding in Dec.
Vaniteux (FR) 6-1 (11-3) In rear, pushed along after 2 out, soon weakened, tailed off, last of 7, dist behind Claud And Goldie (11-1) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp (2) sft in Dec.
Charlie Stout (IRE) 14-1 (11-12) Mid-division, headway into 3rd halfway and led after 7th, hampered by loose horse and ran out through wing next, at Leopardstown 2m 5f hcp gd in Dec.
Rock The World (IRE) 25-1 (11-1) Soon raced in 11th, closed approaching 2 out, soon one pace, 8th of 16, 29 1/2l behind Drumconnor Lad (10-13) at Leopardstown 2m 1f hcp Yielding in Dec.
Ice Cold Soul (IRE) 14-1 (10-8) Soon raced in 10th, some slight mistakes, no impression from 8th, kept on same pace without threatening, 7th of 16, 28 1/4l behind Drumconnor Lad (10-13) at Leopardstown 2m 1f hcp Yielding in Dec.
