rear of mid-division, never a factor, pushed along and no impression after 4 out, no extra, behind and pulled up before next
tracked leaders, 5th halfway, headway before 4 out and disputed lead 3 out, every chance when fell next
tracked leaders, 6th halfway, some headway approaching straight, progress to dispute 2 out, headed early run-in, no impression on winner
rear of mid-division, good headway approaching straight, no impression when slightly hampered and left 4th 2 out, no extra
always towards rear, never a factor, no impression approaching straight, no extra from 3 out
mid-division, headway approaching straight, pushed along and no impression after 3 out, slight mistake next and left 5th, no extra
always towards rear, never a factor, no extra from 4 out, tailed off
mid-division, mistake and almost unseated rider 2nd, headway into 2nd halfway, lost place approaching straight and slightly hampered 3 out, no extra and mistake next, behind and pulled up before last
led, joined 3 out, led early run-in, ridden and kept on well closing stages
tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, still well in touch when fell 3 out
tracked leaders, 4th halfway, pushed along early straight, slight mistake 2 out and left 3rd, ridden and no impression approaching last, no extra
rear of mid-division, never a factor, dropped to rear before 6th, no extra, tailed off
Montalbano was progressive over hurdles in the spring but has yet to get to grips over fences. A clear round looks the objective here as the stable are also represented by BUNK OFF EARLY. A close second to Bacardys in a Leopardstown Grade 1 in February, he didn't build on that in later championship events but made a satisfactory chasing bow behind Tycoon Prince back at Leopardstown and will have come on a bundle for the experience. Gordon Elliott trained that winner and has De Plotting Shed engaged here. A very smart hurdler, he's come up against useful winners in all three starts over fences though this looks on the short side. Last Encounter hasn't built on his excellent hurdles form since tried over fences, though he won't mind the conditions.
Bidasse (FR) 66-1 (11-4) Towards rear, some headway 5 out, no impression from 3 out, 7th of 12, 29 1/4l behind Big Bad Brian (11-4) at Bellewstown 3m mdn gd in Aug.
Bunk Off Early (IRE) 6-4fav (11-12) Chased leaders, left moderate 2nd from 3rd, joined for 2nd before 6th and 3rd from next, close up when slight mistake final fence, pushed along before straight, kept on without troubling winner inside final furlong into 2nd near line, 2nd of 6, 6 1/2l behind Tycoon Prince (11-12) at Leopardstown 2m 1f Yielding in Dec.
De Plotting Shed (IRE) 5-2 (11-12) Led and disputed early, led from 5th, headed 8th, improved to dispute lead 3 out, led 2 out and soon ridden, ran around briefly before last, headed after last, kept on same pace run-in, 2nd of 8, 1 1/4l behind Saturnas (11-12) at Fairyhouse 2m 1f sft in Jan.
Golan Lodge (IRE) 33-1 (11-12) Held up off pace, moderate 4th when fell 5th, at Leopardstown 2m 5f Yielding in Dec.
Jimmyjames 25-1 (10-11) Towards rear, 12th before 3rd, closed to chase leaders approaching straight, soon 5th, no impression from before 2 out, no extra and not fluent last, 6th of 14, dist behind Graineyhill (11-8) at Clonmel 2m hcp hvy in Jan.
Last Encounter (IRE) 5-2fav (11-12) Led, headed before 3rd, dropped to 5th before 6th, improved to 3rd 2 out, weakened approaching straight, 8th of 11, 33 1/4l behind A Rated (11-12) at Kilbeggan 2m 4f gd in Aug.
Mista Wabbit Man 8-1 (11-11) Mid-div, mstk 1st, 8th 1/2way, nt qckn with ldrs & bhnd aft 3out, ko bhnd straight, 6th of 13, 30l behind Buckie Cullen (11-11) at Knockinroe 3m mdn hvy in Nov.
Mister Butler (IRE) 20-1 (11-6) Mid-division, dropped towards rear approaching 3 out, no extra entering straight, 8th of 11, 33 3/4l behind Urbanist (10-11) at Punchestown 2m hcp Soft - Heavy in Dec.
Montalbano 9-2 (11-12) Prominent, pressed leader and clear of remainder when bad mistake and unseated rider 3rd, at Leopardstown 2m 1f Yielding in Dec.
Three Kings (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) Led and disputed, led from 3rd, ridden and 3-length advantage before 2 out, pressed last, headed run-in and no extra close home, 2nd of 9, 2 3/4l behind Cubomania (11-11) at Tramore 2m hcp hvy in Jan.
Veneziano Springs (FR) 33-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, 5th at 6th, progress to 4th at 7th, not fluent 3 out, no impression on leader and ridden in 3rd after 2 out, kept on same pace to 2nd close home, no chance with winner, 2nd of 9, 15l behind Koshari (11-12) at Thurles 2m 2f hvy in Dec.
Daisy Chicks (IRE) 33-1 (11-7) Always last, trailing from 3rd, no impression from halfway, never a factor, last of 6, dist behind Asthuria (11-7) at Naas 2m Soft - Heavy in Jan.
Art Of Synergy (IRE) 3-1 (11-3) Held up disputing 4th, slight mistake 9th, ridden from 3 out, soon no impression, last of 5, 13 1/4l behind Close Shave (11-7) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f sft in Jan.
