tracked leader in close 2nd, led after 1st, increased advantage before 5th, reduced lead after 7th, headed after 8th, no impression on leader before last, kept on same pace
towards rear, not fluent at 1st, 9th after 8th, under pressure after 3 out, no impression 2 out where jumped left, weakened, not fluent last, never a factor
towards rear, 10th after 8th, weakened after 3 out, never a factor, pulled up before 2 out
in touch, improved to 3rd at 4th, took closer order after 7th, no impression on leader before last where jumped left, kept on one pace run-in
rear of mid-division, mistake at 5th, mistake in 6th at 7th, soon progress, no impression in 7th 2 out where jumped left, weakened before last
rear, slightly detached before 6th, no impression, never a factor, pulled up before 4 out
mid-division, headway after 8th, under pressure in 6th before 2 out, no impression in 5th last, kept on to 4th close home, no threat
close up, slow jump at 2nd, slow jump at 3rd and lost place, 8th after 8th, no impression, weakened 2 out
led narrowly, headed after 1st, clear 2nd after 6th, took closer order after 7th, led after 8th, kept on strongly run-in, comfortably
in touch, 4th after 6th, not fluent 2 out, soon no impression on leaders, no extra before last, dropped to 5th close home
rear, not fluent at 2nd, headway before 8th, 7th after 8th, not fluent in 5th 2 out, ridden and weakened before last
NonRunner
Dunvegan won this last year and though 12lb higher his rider's claim is a bonus. Andy Dufresne, a Grade 3 winner over fences, looks best of Gordon Elliott's pair while course and distance winner Mt Leinster should do best of Willie Mullins duo. The latter finished a length behind Sil Ver Klass over the track and trip last time, with Cayd Boy a close fourth, and it's Liz Doyle's charge who comes out best at the weights. Epson Du Houx reappeared after a break with a convincing victory at Cork and was hardly likely to trouble Energumene in the Grade 2 Hilly Way there next time but had the remaining pair well beaten. BIG DEBATES is going from strength-to-strength and though 12lb higher for last month's victory here was eased right down and can complete a hat-trick.
Dunvegan (FR) 100-1 (11-10) Raced keenly, chased leader until 3rd, chased leaders, lost place and in last pair at 5th, weakened 8th, 5th of 6, 19 1/4l behind Edwardstone (11-10) at Sandown 2m (1) gs in Dec.
Andy Dufresne (IRE) 16-1 (11-12) Always rear, soon detached, well behind when jumped left 6th, no extra, completely tailed off, last of 7, dist behind Blue Lord (11-12) at Leopardstown 2m 1f (1) Yielding in Dec.
Fan De Blues (FR) 11-4 (11-12) Tracked leaders early, mid-division from 3rd, dropped towards rear when mistake at 6th, niggled along in last at 8th, ridden after 3 out, no impression, 8th of 11, 14l behind Sil Ver Klass (10-0) at Fairyhouse 2m 1f hcp Yielding in Dec.
Epson Du Houx (FR) 14-1 (11-4) Tracked leader, not fluent at 6th, 2nd to clear leader at 7th, no impression 4 out, not fluent 3 out, kept on one pace in moderate 2nd run-in, no chance with easy winner, 2nd of 4, 15l behind Energumene (12-0) at Cork 2m 1f (1) Yielding - Soft in Dec.
Mt Leinster (IRE) 17-2 (11-9) Tracked leaders, bad mistake 1st, 3rd 3 out, ridden in close 3rd next, kept on well under pressure in 3rd run-in, 3rd of 11, 1 1/4l behind Sil Ver Klass (10-0) at Fairyhouse 2m 1f hcp Yielding in Dec.
Castlegrace Paddy (IRE) 28-1 (11-4) Ran 4th, close up 4 out, pushed along after next, ridden and no impression approaching last, no extra, last of 4, 11 1/4l behind Captain Guinness (11-10) at Navan 2m (1) Yielding in Nov.
Battleoverdoyen (IRE) 40-1 (11-10) Towards rear early, mid-division halfway, pushed along and dropped towards rear after 5 out, soon no extra, well behind and pulled up before last, at Leopardstown 3m hcp Yielding in Dec.
Dancing On My Own (IRE) 12-1 (11-7) Towards rear, 10th 3 out, soon ridden, no impression straight, 10th of 11, 32 3/4l behind Sil Ver Klass (10-0) at Fairyhouse 2m 1f hcp Yielding in Dec.
Rebel Gold (IRE) 9-2 (11-0) Tracked leaders, pushed along in 3rd before 2 out and soon ridden, not fluent last and kept on into 2nd run-in, not matching winner, 2nd of 13, 2 3/4l behind Maskada (10-13) at Limerick 2m 4f hcp hvy in Dec.
Cayd Boy (FR) 9-4fav (10-12) Mid-division, bad mistake 4 out, ridden in 5th 2 out, no impression, 4th of 11, 4 1/2l behind Sil Ver Klass (10-0) at Fairyhouse 2m 1f hcp Yielding in Dec.
Big Debates (FR) 11-2 (11-5) Mid-division, moderate 5th halfway, 4th 4 out, closer entering straight and 2nd after 2 out, led last, ridden to assert and drew clear closing stages, won at Fairyhouse 2m hcp Yielding - Soft in Dec beating Gallyhill (11-12) by 6l, 7 ran.
Sil Ver Klass (FR) 8-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, slightly hampered 1st and 2nd, badly hampered 4th, mid-division halfway, ridden in 7th 4 out, soon no extra, pulled up before 2 out, at Leopardstown 2m 1f hcp Yielding in Dec.
