a little keen, waited with, 10th after 2nd, slight mistake 6th, headway and effort straight, 2nd run-in, soon no impression, one pace
a little keen, chased leaders, 6th after 2nd, headway and effort straight, kept on same pace from last
soon led and disputed, headed approaching 2 out, soon no extra
tracked leaders, 4th after 2nd, slight mistake 3 out and pushed along briefly, 2nd when fell 2 out
prominent, 3rd after 2nd, lost position approaching 2 out, soon weakened
waited with, 11th after 2nd, headway straight, soon one pace
waited with, 9th after 2nd, chased leaders and impeded 2 out, soon one pace
waited with, 12th after 2nd, headway and effort straight, chased leaders but no impression before last, kept on same pace without threatening
slight mistake 1st, mid-division early, 7th after 2nd, headway and impeded 2 out, slight mistake last, ran on without threatening run-in
tracked leaders, slight mistake 2nd, soon raced in 5th, pushed along from 3 out, no impression and impeded 2 out, soon no extra
waited with towards rear, closed up and effort straight, slight mistake and slightly impeded 2 out, kept on without matching principals run-in
mid-division early, 8th after 2nd, jumped slightly left 4th, soon headway, led approaching 2 out, soon went on, jumped slightly left last and reduced lead, stayed on well to assert closing stages
close up and disputed lead, pushed along and not match leaders when tight for room approaching 2 out, weakened
Charles Byrnes won this two years ago with Wonder Laish and Advanced Virgo, who makes his handicap debut over timber, has been running well on the Flat and is just the type he does so well with. Cayd Boy was making his handicap bow when landing a Grade B at Down Royal and Mark Walsh chooses him over Hearts Are Trumps, Ciel De Neige, Campeador and Drop The Anchor, all owned by J P McManus. The latter is closely matched with Getaway Gorgeous on their 1-2 at Listowel in September but this could be yet another for Gordon Elliott via ECLAIR DE BEAUFEU (NAP). Runner-up in the Grand Annual over fences at Cheltenham, he fell on his return to action over the bigger obstacles at Navan but reverts to hurdles on an 18lb lower mark and can take advantage.
Cayd Boy (FR) 10-1 (11-2) Waited with, raced towards outer, headway into 5th approaching 3 out, soon closed and effort, left in lead from 2 out, strongly pressed and stayed on well run-in, won at Down Royal 2m hcp sft in Oct beating Golden Jewel (10-9) by 1l, 17 ran.
Ciel De Neige (FR) 6-1 (11-1) Mid-division, headway after 2 out, driven and weakened before last, 15th of 24, 20 1/4l behind Saint Roi (10-13) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp (1) sft in Mar.
Hearts Are Trumps (IRE) 20-1 (11-6) Soon mid-division, 11th approaching 3 out, no extra approaching next where slightly impeded, weakened, 13th of 17, dist behind Cayd Boy (11-2) at Down Royal 2m hcp sft in Oct.
Eclair De Beaufeu (FR) 10-3 (11-3) Chased leaders, soon 4th, pecked 5th, 3rd from 5 out, effort straight, no extra between last 2, moderate 3rd and fell last, at Navan 2m (1) Soft - Heavy in Nov.
Due Reward (IRE) 8-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, pushed along and no impression in 3rd after 3 out, ridden in 4th before last, kept on one pace, 6th of 9, 10 1/4l behind The Bosses Oscar (11-8) at Thurles 2m 7f Yielding in Oct.
Campeador (FR) 80-1 (10-12) Waited with, soon towards rear, closed to chase leaders from 3 out, kept on same pace without threatening run-in, 4th of 17, 6l behind Cayd Boy (11-2) at Down Royal 2m hcp sft in Oct.
Getaway Gorgeous (IRE) 10-3 (10-12) Soon chased leaders, slightly slow in jumping at times, 7th approaching 3 out, soon headway on inner and effort, slightly impeded 2 out, one pace from before last, 5th of 17, 7 3/4l behind Cayd Boy (11-2) at Down Royal 2m hcp sft in Oct.
Twobeelucky 40-1 (11-2) Held up in rear, 8th halfway, pushed along before 3 out, soon ridden and no extra, last of 9, 29 1/2l behind The Bosses Oscar (11-8) at Thurles 2m 7f Yielding in Oct.
Drop The Anchor (IRE) 5-1 (10-11) Not fluent 1st, waited with, some headway and slight mistake 4 out, disputed 9th approaching 3 out, chased leaders when impeded 2 out and brought down, at Down Royal 2m hcp sft in Oct.
Scheu Time (IRE) 11-2 (11-6) Mid-division, slight mistake 3rd, 9th halfway, ridden in 5th 2 out, no impression in 4th when left 3rd at last, kept on one pace, 3rd of 13, 10 3/4l behind Bridge Native (11-6) at Down Royal 2m hcp Yielding in Oct.
Hybery (FR) 16-1 (10-7) Waited with, bad mistake 1st and towards rear, headway to chase leaders from 3 out, kept on same pace from before last, 7th of 17, 8 3/4l behind Cayd Boy (11-2) at Down Royal 2m hcp sft in Oct.
Advanced Virgo (IRE) 7-2fav (9-9) Mid-division, ridden in 8th over 2f out, kept on one pace final furlong, 6th of 13, 7 1/4l behind Son Of Hypnos (9-0) at Naas 1m 4f hcp hvy in Nov.
Gold Des Bois (FR) 5-1 (11-6) Mid-division and 5th from halfway, took closer order from 5 out, not fluent 2 out and soon pushed along in 4th, ridden before last and kept on run-in without matching principals, 3rd of 10, 1 3/4l behind Grand Partner (11-1) at Punchestown 2m hcp hvy in Nov.