mid-division early, improved to chase leaders before 3rd, 3rd halfway, challenged entering straight, ridden in 2nd 3 out, no extra in 4th 2 out, kept on one pace
held up towards rear, 7th before straight, ridden in 6th entering straight, no extra before 3 out, pulled up before 2 out
chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden in 6th 3 out, no impression in 5th 2 out, kept on one pace
held up, 8th halfway, progress into 6th before straight, ridden in 5th 3 out, under pressure in 3rd 2 out and no impression leaders, kept on same pace
led and disputed, ridden and headed approaching 3 out, no extra before next
mid-division early, towards rear from 4th, ridden 5 out, no impression before straight, kept on one pace from 3 out
chased leaders early, 7th halfway, ridden in rear 4 out, soon no extra, pulled up before 3 out
chased leaders, 5th halfway, progress into close 3rd 3 out, challenged next and soon led, ridden before last, kept on well
mid-division, progress into 3rd 6 out, ridden and no extra before straight
prominent and disputed, led approaching 3 out, ridden and challenged 2 out, soon headed, no extra in 2nd before last, kept on same pace
Viaduct Joey looked well suited by heavy going when scoring over hurdles at Galway in October and will have conditions in his favour but Bruff is 10lb higher than his last winning mark though he'll be staying on better than most at the finish. Lookoutnow won this a year ago from 9lb lower and though his two latest starts have been disappointing they have come in better class events. Rivage D'Or hasn't had much racing recently and it showed when he pulled up at Fairyhouse two weeks ago while Sizing Machine has been well beaten in his two races since making a winning debut over fences at Kilbeggan in August. Rubert looks a few pounds high in the weights so in an open contest a chance is taken on ZEKARYA, who is hardly consistent but would have won on his penultimate start over hurdles but for falling at the second last.
Lookoutnow (IRE) 9-1 (10-8) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden 6 out, weakened next, tailed off, 12th of 18, well behind On His Own (11-6) at Gowran Park 3m 1f hcp chs in Jan.
Rivage D'Or (FR) 5-1 (11-4) Held up in rear, got slight bump 6th, no extra from 4 out, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Lion Na Bearnai (11-4) at Fairyhouse 2m 5f chs hvy, 5 ran.
Sizing Machine (IRE) 16-1 (11-4) Chased leaders and 5th halfway, pushed along and no impression in moderate 6th after 3 out, no extra in straight, 6th of 8, 45l behind Felix Yonger (11-4) at Punchestown 2m nov chs Grade 2 (1) in Nov.
Mazuri Cowboy (IRE) 33-1 (11-3) Held up, 7th halfway, progress into 4th 4 out, ridden and no extra 3 out, 7th of 8, well behind Mala Beach (11-8) at Gowran Park 3m hdl G2 (1) in Jan.
Rubert (IRE) 14-1 (11-2) Chased leader, led 3rd, headed after 4th, 4th 5 out, challenged entering straight, ridden and no extra approaching 2 out, moderate 5th last, kept on one pace in 4th run-in, 4th of 9, 20l behind The Way We Were (10-10) at Naas 2m hcp chs.
Bruff (IRE) 11-4fav (10-8) Waited with, 11th before halfway, improved to chase leaders 6th approaching straight, soon no impression under pressure, kept on same pace, 5th of 14, 20l behind Count Salazar (10-13) at Galway 2m 6f hcp chs hvy in Oct.
Viaduct Joey (IRE) 11-1 (9-10) Tracked leaders, 5th 4 out, ridden in 4th next, soon no impression, 7th of 16, 12l behind Vics Canvas (10-5) at Navan 2m 7f in Nov.
Zekarya (FR) 5-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders and 6th halfway, 3rd 3 out, ridden after next and no extra in 6th before last, 7th of 16, 38l behind Day Dream Boy (11-5) at Fairyhouse 2m 7f hcp hdl 80-109 in Jan.
Solstice Knight (IRE) 20-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders, 4th 4 out, improved into 2nd and ridden next, 2nd 2 out, weakened before last, 6th of 15, 17l behind Hold Em Cowboy (10-4) at Fairyhouse 2m 5f hcp chs 0-116 sft in Jan.
Kennoway (IRE) 11-4fav (11-7) Soon mid-division, moderate 8th approaching 3rd, lost place before straight, soon no impression, 7th of 12, 18l behind Reality Dose (10-6) at Naas 2m hcp chs 0-109 sft in Jan.
Unoccupied 5-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders in 3rd, 4th 5 out, ridden and no impression approaching straight, moderate 7th 2 out, tailed off,, 6th of 14, well behind Thelobstercatcher (11-2) at Fairyhouse 3m 1f hcp chs 0-123 in Jan.
