led, ridden and pressed before 2 out, headed 2 out, no extra in 3rd before last, kept on one pace
held up, towards rear halfway, never a factor
chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden and no extra after 3 out
mid-division, improved into 3rd after 3 out, ridden 2 out, stayed on to press leader last and slight mistake, led run-in, kept on well closing stages
always towards rear, slight mistake 4 out, never a factor
chased leaders, 2nd from 4th, challenged before 2 out, led 2 out, soon ridden, pressed last, headed run-in, kept on without matching winner
held up early, mid-division halfway, 5th entering straight, moderate 4th 2 out, stayed on one pace into 3rd run-in
chased leader, 3rd from 4th, reminder next, ridden in 4th and no impression entering straight, soon no extra
held up, no impression before 4 out, never a factor
chased leaders, mistake 5th, soon mid-division, moderate 6th halfway, no extra before 4 out
Captain Guinness won't be running here as he scored at Punchestown yesterday. ARVICO BLEU (NAP) has yet to win in nine starts over fences but has run into some decent rivals and his second in a Grade B handicap here a year ago would see him very difficult to beat. Winning bumper and hurdler Front View hasn't really taken to fences so far but has time on his side and progress is expected while Port Stanley found 2m4f on heavy ground taxing his stamina at Gowran and this is more like his trip. Thatsy has a bit of improving to do to get into contention.
Arvico Bleu (IRE) 16-1 (11-4) Led, slight mistake 5 out, headed between last 2, no extra and one pace after, 4th of 11, 7 3/4l behind Chatham Street Lad (11-0) at Cork 2m 1f hcp hvy in Nov.
Blue Markie (IRE) 5-1 (11-11) Tracked leader, slightly hampered at 1st, progress in 3rd before 5th, under pressure and dropped to 5th before 2 out, ridden and no extra in 4th before last, 4th of 10, 16 3/4l behind Clonguile Way (11-2) at Wexford 3m hcp Soft - Heavy in Oct.
Donkey Years (IRE) 40-1 (12-0) Towards rear early, mid-division halfway, mistake 4 out and no impression before next, no threat in straight, kept on one pace, 6th of 13, dist behind Franco De Port (12-0) at Thurles 2m 2f sft in Nov.
Front View (FR) 7-2 (12-0) Rear of mid-division, mistake 2nd, some headway after 4 out, 5th 2 out and moderate 4th entering straight, kept on one pace to go 3rd close home, 3rd of 13, 21 1/2l behind Franco De Port (12-0) at Thurles 2m 2f sft in Nov.
Good Luck Hope (IRE) 66-1 (10-6) Held up in rear, a little keen, ridden and no impression in moderate 8th before 2 out, kept on without threatening run-in, 7th of 10, 22 3/4l behind Make Good (11-9) at Gowran Park 2m hcp hvy in Nov.
Legal Lord 150-1 (12-0) Waited with, slight mistake 7th, disputed 10th approaching 8th, never a factor, pulled up before 3 out, at Cork 2m 5f hvy in Nov.
Port Stanley (IRE) 5-1 (12-0) Tracked leaders, not fluent 3rd, 3rd halfway, 2nd 4 out, pushed along before next, no impression in 3rd when slight mistake 2 out, slight mistake last, kept on one pace, 3rd of 10, 37l behind Energumene (12-0) at Gowran Park 2m 4f hvy in Nov.
Raya Time (FR) 18-1 (12-0) Rear of mid-division, never a factor, some headway 4 out, 7th and no impression 2 out, jumped right last, no extra, 7th of 14, dist behind Blackbow (12-0) at Navan 2m 1f sft in Nov.
Thatsy (FR) 9-2 (11-5) Chased leaders, 4th after 4th, a little slow 8th, 3rd and pushed along after 11th, no extra when impeded 2 out, 4th again and one pace after, 4th of 11, 30l behind Colreevy (11-5) at Punchestown 2m 4f hvy in Nov.
The Rebel Knight (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Mid-division on inner, slight mistake 6th, progress from 3 out, ridden in 5th next, no impression, 4th of 15, 4 3/4l behind Pegi Browne (11-6) at Gowran Park 2m hcp gd in Oct.
Tomeric (FR) 22-1 (11-6) Towards rear, no impression from 3 out, never a factor, 8th of 11, dist behind Yaiza (11-6) at Tramore 2m Yielding in Oct.
Captain Guinness (IRE) 4-6fav (12-0) Soon led, slight mistake 5th and headed, raced in moderate 2nd after until pulled up quickly after 7th, at Tipperary 2m 1f Soft - Heavy in Oct.
