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
chased leaders, left moderate 4th from 3rd, slight mistake 4th, pushed along before straight, soon no impression and one pace
led, pressed when left clear 3rd, soon reduced lead and pushed along into straight, headed over 1f out, soon no impression and one pace, dropped to 3rd near line
prominent, pressed leader and clear of remainder when bad mistake and unseated rider 3rd
chased leaders, left moderate 3rd from 3rd, disputed 2nd before 6th and chased leader from 7th, challenged travelling smoothly straight, lead over 1f out, soon ridden to assert and stayed on well final furlong
in rear, mistake 1st and detached, fell 3rd
BUNK OFF EARLY is a very interesting recruit to fences. He won the opening maiden hurdle here a year ago in the style of a potentially smart novice then was just beaten by Bacardys in the Deloitte here in February. He didn't do so well in top company at Cheltenham and Punchestown and his pedigree isn't that of a chaser but he could still be an exciting prospect and can make a successful start. His stable companion Montalbano would have finished second to Jett had he not fallen at the last on his chasing bow at Thurles and that experience shouldn't be lost on him while Le Martalin made a cracking start over fences when just failing to concede 16lb to Dinaria Des Obeaux at Wexford then got no further than the first at Navan. Tycoon Prince didn't get the run of the race behind Al Boum Photo at Navan so did very well to finish as close as he did.
Bunk Off Early (IRE) 9-1 (11-12) Held up in touch, not fluent jumping, pushed along from 3 out, soon no extra, 5th of 7, 28 1/4l behind Cilaos Emery (11-12) at Punchestown 2m (1) Good - Yielding in Apr.
Drumconnor Lad (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Mid-division, ridden 4 out, soon no impression, never a factor, 7th of 10, 36 3/4l behind C'est Jersey (11-12) at Punchestown 2m 4f Good - Yielding in Apr.
Le Martalin (FR) 5-2 (11-12) Led when jumped badly left and unseated rider at 1st (running loose when fell at 2nd having again jumped badly left), at Navan 2m 1f Soft - Heavy in Nov.
Montalbano 11-10fav (11-12) Tracked leaders, 2nd before 6th, led from 3 out, joined from before straight, headed after 2 out, no impression when fell last, at Thurles 2m 2f sft in Nov.
Tycoon Prince (IRE) 11-2 (11-12) Tracked leaders, badly hampered at 2nd, 5th 4 out, headway and short of room briefly on inner after 3 out, ridden in 2nd after 2 out, kept on same pace in 2nd run-in, 2nd of 10, 7l behind Al Boum Photo (11-12) at Navan 2m 1f Soft - Heavy in Nov.
Don't Let Go (IRE) 33-1 (11-5) Held up, towards rear and slight mistake 4th, ridden and no extra before 4 out, weakened, 9th of 10, dist behind Avenir D'une Vie (11-12) at Punchestown 2m hvy in Dec.
