in rear, bad mistake 7th, progress from 3 out, ridden in 6th 2 out, no impression
disputed lead, led from 4 out, mistake and ridden 2 out, headed after 2 out, 3rd at last, kept on same pace in 3rd inside final furlong
mid-division, 7th 4 out, headway into 2nd entering straight, pushed along and led after 2 out, ridden and stayed on well run-in
led and disputed, headed 4 out, soon ridden, weakened entering straight
tracked leaders, mistake 5th, slight mistakes 6th and 8th, pushed along in 7th 2 out, went 4th at last, ridden and kept on without threatening run-in
tracked leaders on inner, 6th 4 out, ridden 2 out, no impression
rear of mid-division on outer, bad mistake 1st, unseated rider 3rd
towards rear, mistakes 1st and 2nd, went 8th 4 out, ridden 2 out, moderate 5th at last, no extra
tracked leaders on outer early, mid-division at halfway, weakened from 3 out
rear of mid-division on outer, took keen hold, 10th 4 out, headway unto 4th travelling well entering straight, ridden in 2nd after 2 out, no impression on winner inside final furlong, kept on same pace
mid-division on outer, ridden 3 out, weakened
always towards rear, never a factor
towards rear, headway into mid-division on inner at halfway, went 3rd 4 out, ridden entering straight, weakened
disputed lead, headed 6th, 4th 4 out, soon ridden and weakened
An excellent renewal of this lucrative handicap though the bottom nine are out of the handicap including THE SHUNTER, who is 2lbs wrong. However, Emmet Mullins' charge has only had four starts over fences, easily landing a beginners' race at Punchestown in September, and showed his stamina and battling qualities when landing Cheltenham's Grade 3 Greatwood Handicap Hurdle in November. He'll be receiving 12lb from another Cheltenham winner, the very impressive Caviar Gold Cup Handicap Chase winner Chatham Street Lad, and that could just swing things in his favour in these conditions. Last year's Grand Annual hero Chosen Mate is much better than he showed here last time while Fan De Bleus is an interesting handicap debutant over fences for Willie Mullins. Front View and Entoucas look best of Joseph O'Brien's trio and though Bel Ami De Sivola is a few pounds out of the handicap he has a course and distance victory to his credit.
Chosen Mate (IRE) 14-1 (11-10) Held up, closer in mid-division 4 out, ridden and no extra 3 out, weakened entering straight, pulled up before last, at Fairyhouse 2m hcp Soft - Heavy in Dec.
Chatham Street Lad (IRE) 16-1 (10-10) Chased leaders, mistake and lost place 3rd, headway 11th, mistake 12th and 13th, led before 2 out, clear last, stayed on strongly, won at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (1) sft in Dec beating Midnight Shadow (11-3) by 15l, 17 ran.
Daly Tiger (FR) 9-2 (11-1) Soon chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden and no extra after 3 out, weakened before next, 9th of 10, dist behind Sizing Pottsie (11-3) at Fairyhouse 2m hcp Soft - Heavy in Dec.
Goulane Chosen (IRE) 25-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, ridden and weakened after 3 out, pulled up before next, at Limerick 2m 3f hcp hvy in Dec.
Entoucas (FR) 10-3jfav (10-6) Settled behind leaders, 5th halfway, ridden entering straight, challenged for moderate 2nd 2 out, under pressure in 3rd before last, kept on run-in to go 2nd close home, 2nd of 10, 6l behind Sizing Pottsie (11-3) at Fairyhouse 2m hcp Soft - Heavy in Dec.
Fan De Blues (FR) 11-1 (9-12) Mid-division early, 14th at 7th, slight mistake 4 out, some headway and slight mistake 3 out, soon weakened, 17th of 20, dist behind Flooring Porter (10-6) at Navan 3m hcp sft in Dec.
Front View (FR) 11-4 (12-0) 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, won at Fairyhouse 2m Soft - Heavy in Dec beating Port Stanley (12-0) by 1l, 11 ran.
Or Jaune De Somoza (FR) 50-1 (11-9) Mid-division, pushed along after 3rd, reminder after next and towards rear halfway, rear of mid-division 2 out, ridden and kept on one pace in straight, 7th of 17, 20l behind Uisce Beatha (10-13) at Leopardstown 2m 1f hcp Yielding in Dec.
Top Moon (FR) 16-1 (11-9) Tracked leaders early, mid-division halfway, rear of mid-division 4 out, no impression when mistake 2 out, no extra in straight, 10th of 17, 32l behind Uisce Beatha (10-13) at Leopardstown 2m 1f hcp Yielding in Dec.
Pont Aven (IRE) 25-1 (11-5) In rear, pushed along and some headway after 2 out, progress on outer in straight, left moderate 4th and slightly hampered after last, ridden and kept on well, nearest at finish, 4th of 17, 3 1/4l behind Uisce Beatha (10-13) at Leopardstown 2m 1f hcp Yielding in Dec.
Arvico Bleu (IRE) 5-1 (12-0) Led, ridden and pressed before 2 out, headed 2 out, no extra in 3rd before last, kept on one pace, 4th of 11, 20 1/2l behind Front View (12-0) at Fairyhouse 2m Soft - Heavy in Dec.
Bel Ami De Sivola (FR) 33-1 (10-4) Rear of mid-division, slight mistake 1st and reminders, headway into 6th 3 out, ridden in 3rd 2 out, 2nd and no impression on winner at last, kept on same pace, 2nd of 11, 9l behind Impact Factor (11-3) at Fairyhouse 2m hcp sft in Nov.
Kildorrery (IRE) 5-1 (10-6) In rear, moderate 10th 3 out, headway into 7th and ridden 2 out, went 4th at last, kept on without threatening leaders in 3rd close home, 3rd of 11, 13l behind Impact Factor (11-3) at Fairyhouse 2m hcp sft in Nov.
Game Of War (IRE) 22-1 (10-2) Tracked leaders, 4th 3 out, soon ridden and weakened, 9th of 11, 34 3/4l behind Impact Factor (11-3) at Fairyhouse 2m hcp sft in Nov.
The Shunter (IRE) 13-2 (10-0) In touch in mid-division, improved well off final bend, pressing for 2nd last, led flat, stayed on well, in command final 100 yards, won at Cheltenham 2m hcp (1) sft in Nov beating Ballyandy (11-12) by 3l, 14 ran.
Timoteo (FR) 11-1 (11-4) Hampered soon after start, always towards rear, slight mistake 5th, no threat from 2 out, weakened, 14th of 17, dist behind Uisce Beatha (10-13) at Leopardstown 2m 1f hcp Yielding in Dec.
Dakota Moirette (FR) 8-1 (11-3) Tracked leaders, slight mistake 2nd, 4th and mistake 4 out, ridden in 3rd before 2 out, soon no impression, 5th of 10, 11 1/4l behind Epson Du Houx (11-5) at Naas 2m hcp hvy in Jan.
