in rear, detached at 7th, effort before 4 out, weakened before 2 out, never a factor, pulled up before last
tracked leader, on terms at 5th, soon led, increased advantage at 9th, reduced lead 3 out, headed before last where dropped to 4th, weakened to 5th closing stages
rear, mistake and unseated rider at 6th
mid-division, dropped towards rear before 4th, pulled up before 7th
towards rear, progress before 3 out, no impression 2 out, weakened
led, joined at 5th where mistake and headed, 3rd before 8th, 2nd after 9th, mistake 4 out and dropped to 3rd, lost place 2 out where mistake, soon weakened quickly
mid-division, progress to 6th before 8th, improved to 5th last, ridden and kept on in 4th closing stages, never nearer
in touch, 3rd before 7th, 4th before 8th, mistake and unseated rider at 9th
chased leader, 5th before 7th, 4th 3 out, lost place before 2 out where jumped left, soon weakened, pulled up before last
rear of mid-division, 11th at 7th where mistake and fell
tracked leader, dropped to 6th before 7th, 9th at 8th, progress before 4 out, 3rd 3 out, lost place before last, weakened in 6th run-in
chased leader, slight mistake at 6th, dropped to 12th after 8th, no impression in moderate 7th last, no extra
rear, mistake at 3rd and reminder, detached at 7th, never a factor, pulled up before 10th
towards rear, headway after 2nd, 4th before 7th, 2nd before 8th, mistake at 9th and lost place, 2nd after 4 out, lost place 3 out, 4th after 2 out, ridden and kept on in 2nd closing stages, held
chased leader, dropped to rear of mid-division after 4th, 13th after 8th, progress after 4 out, no impression and weakened before last
rear of mid-division, 11th at 8th, headway before 4 out, closed after 2 out, led before last where jumped left, headed run-in, dropped to 3rd closing stages, kept on same pace
chased leader, dropped to 10th at 8th, took closer order after 4 out, 5th after 2 out, closed travelling well before last, led run-in, driven out
Birchdale, a Grade 2 winner over hurdles for Nicky Henderson, looked like winning the Paddy Power over 3m here when leading three out but weakened from the last. He's 4lb out of the handicap but his rider can claim 7lb. Minella Times was narrowly beaten in this a year ago but is now 19lb higher which is hardly surprising after his Grand National victory. Blackbow was having his first start since March when runner-up to Dunvegan in a Fairyhouse Grade A handicap last month for which he's been raised 5lb. Max Flamingo wasn't disgraced in a Grade 1 novices' chase here last time but this can go to THE SHUNTER (NAP). The winner of a Grade 3 handicap at Cheltenham last spring, he hasn't run since an excellent fourth in the Galway Plate but race-fitness is never a problem for one from his yard. Fakir D'alene is a progressive novice on a fair mark who can get into the frame.
Minella Times (IRE) 66-1 (11-12) Always towards rear, ridden and no extra before 4 out, behind when fell heavily 3 out, at Punchestown 2m 4f (1) Yielding - Soft in Dec.
Blackbow (IRE) 7-2jfav (11-5) Led, joined before 2 out, soon ridden, mistake and headed at last, kept on same pace run-in, 2nd of 12, 3 1/4l behind Dunvegan (11-0) at Fairyhouse 2m 1f hcp sft in Jan.
The Shunter (IRE) 11-2 (11-4) Mid-division, mistake 5th, ridden in 9th after 3 out, slight mistake 2 out, under pressure in 6th entering straight, kept on same pace, 4th of 22, 4 3/4l behind Royal Rendezvous (11-5) at Galway 2m 7f hcp gd in Jul.
Annamix (FR) 10-3 (11-7) Led, joined from 6th, ridden and headed entering straight, weakened from 2 out, last of 5, 21l behind Autumn Evening (11-7) at Fairyhouse 2m sft in Jan.
Samcro (IRE) 50-1 (11-12) Towards rear, 7th after 8th, dropped to rear at 10th, under pressure in 6th after 2 out, weakened before last, last of 8, 34 1/4l behind Galvin (11-12) at Leopardstown 3m (1) Yielding in Dec.
Spyglass Hill (IRE) 12-1 (11-5) Disputed lead, mistake and headed 8th, led again approaching straight, pushed along and joined before 2 out, led again 2 out, 2 lengths clear when mistake last, kept on well under pressure, all out, won at Limerick 2m 4f hcp hvy in Dec beating Rebel Gold (11-2) by 1/2l, 14 ran.
Gallant John Joe (IRE) 66-1 (11-3) Held up towards rear, ridden into 4th 2 out, 3rd and no impression on leaders entering straight, no extra before last, 5th of 8, 37 1/4l behind Bob Olinger (11-3) at Punchestown 2m 4f (1) sft in Jan.
Max Flamingo (IRE) 28-1 (11-12) Slightly slow 2nd, waited with, soon in touch towards rear, closed to chase leaders 6 out, under pressure in 4th approaching straight, soon no extra and one pace, 4th of 8, 18 1/4l behind Fury Road (11-12) at Leopardstown 3m (1) Yielding in Dec.
Ten Ten (IRE) 12-1 (11-8) Mid-division, 9th halfway, ridden and no impression in 8th entering straight, weakened quickly and pulled up before 2 out, at Limerick 2m 4f hcp hvy in Dec.
Fan De Blues (FR) 9-2jfav (11-11) Chased leaders, 10th 2 out, ridden and no impression before last, kept on one pace, 6th of 14, 10 1/2l behind Grange Walk (11-0) at Leopardstown 2m 1f hcp sft in Dec.
Rebel Gold (IRE) 12-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, travelling well in 3rd entering straight, pushed along when mistake 2 out, soon ridden, kept on well under pressure run-in, went 2nd final 50 yards, not reach winner, 2nd of 14, 1/2l behind Spyglass Hill (11-5) at Limerick 2m 4f hcp hvy in Dec.
Fakir D'alene (FR) 2-1fav (12-0) Made all, 3 lengths clear halfway, pushed along entering straight, strongly pressed and edged left before last, under pressure and kept on well run-in, edged left close home, won at Thurles 2m 6f hcp Good - Yielding in Jan beating Donkey Years (11-3) by nk, 8 ran.
Definite Plan (IRE) 9-1 (10-11) Tracked leaders on inner, pushed along 8th, ridden and dropped to 11th 3 out, weakened, 11th of 16, dist behind Run Wild Fred (11-6) at Navan 3m hcp gd in Nov.
Foxy Jacks (IRE) 25-1 (10-0) Prominent, slight mistake and led at 5th, mistake and headed 11th, mistake next, soon ridden and weakened, 7th when mistake 4 out, pulled up before 3 out, at Gowran Park 3m 1f hcp sft in Jan.
Mortal (IRE) 20-1 (10-4) Waited with towards rear, headway chasing leaders 29th, slipped home turn, no extra in 4th from 2 out, 4th of 15, 8 1/4l behind Diesel D'Allier (10-2) at Cheltenham 3m 6f hcp (2) gs in Dec.
Winter Escape (IRE) 25-1 (11-3) Mid-division, mistake 4th, pushed along in 8th 2 out, soon ridden and no impression, kept on one pace, 5th of 14, 10 1/2l behind Grange Walk (11-0) at Leopardstown 2m 1f hcp sft in Dec.
Birchdale (IRE) 33-1 (10-4) Chased leaders, closer at 6th and 3rd halfway, headway to lead after 4 out, ridden and headed approaching last, no extra run-in, 6th of 28, 8 1/2l behind School Boy Hours (10-8) at Leopardstown 3m hcp Good - Yielding in Dec.
