Outlander and FREE EXPRESSION fought out a battling finish at Punchestown with the former just coming out on top after jumping brilliantly all the way round. The runner-up was a bit unfortunate in-running having been checked at a crucial stage and his rider losing an iron so compensation awaits despite being beaten in a Grade 1 subsequently. Avant Tout can hardly be considered his stable's second string after having won four of his six starts including when overcoming a bad mistake at the last on his chasing debut at Tramore. Emcon has done nothing wrong and was only touched off in a four-way photo at Navan while King of The Picts is better than his recent run in a Fairyhouse handicap suggests.
Avant Tout (FR) 5-4fav (11-6) Raced in 2nd early, led from 2nd, mistake 5th, went on from before 5 out, reduced lead from 3 out, pressed before next, soon asserted and clear, not fluent last and pecked on landing, stayed on well run-in, comfortably,, won at Tramore 2m Yielding in May beating Mumbo Bay (11-12) by 6l, 10 ran.
Free Expression (IRE) 7-4 (11-10) Held up, 5th halfway, progress into 3rd and slight mistake 2 out, soon ridden, no extra before last where slight mistake, kept on one pace, 3rd of 7, 11l behind No More Heroes (11-10) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f (1) Soft - Heavy in Nov.
King of The Picts (IRE) 25-1 (10-9) Prominent, pecked 1st, mistake 8th and no extra,, 12th of 16, dist behind Nearly Nama'd (10-6) at Fairyhouse 2m 1f hcp Soft - Heavy in Nov.
Outlander (IRE) 7-4 (11-12) Close up, on terms approaching 4 out where slightly impeded, soon headed, on terms again approaching straight, led before 2 out, stayed on well run-in, won at Punchestown 2m 4f sft in Nov beating Free Expression (11-12) by 1 1/2l, 17 ran.
Emcon (IRE) 6-1 (10-11) Held up, 5th from 3rd, slight mistake 6th, reminders from next, slight mistake 4 out, pushed along to be prominent before straight, 4th at last, kept on without reaching 1st 2 closing stages, 3rd of 8, 3/4l behind Queens Wild (10-11) at Navan 2m 1f (1) hvy in Dec.
