prominent, not fluent 1st, 2nd halfway, improved to dispute lead before 2 out where not fluent and soon headed, ridden before last where mistake, no extra and kept on same pace run-in
mid-division, improved to lead before 6th, pressed and joined before 2 out, soon regained lead, travelling best and went on before last where fell
towards rear early, closer in 4th from halfway, ridden from 2 out and no impression when left 3rd last, kept on same pace run-in
towards rear and 5th halfway, improved into closer 3rd from 2 out, went 2nd before last and soon left in lead, kept on well under pressure run-in
slow into stride and in rear early, improved to lead after 1st, headed before 6th and soon dropped to rear, detached when mistake 6 out, soon no extra. tailed off
led, headed after 1st, remained prominent and 3rd halfway, pushed along and dropped to 5th before 2 out where fell
Tombstone, a very smart hurdler, jumped soundly and was up with the pace for most of the way when landing a Navan Grade 3, his second victory over fences. He has a double penalty which may just hand the initiative to AL BOUM PHOTO. Willie Mullins' charge, a Grade 2 winner over timber in April, made a couple of minor mistakes on his chasing debut at Navan but had plenty in hand at the finish and looks a cracking prospect. His stable companion Arbre De Vie hasn't done anywhere near as well as expected since scoring at Galway in August but Dounikos, a stablemate of Tombstone, looked a natural when making a successful chasing bow on heavy going at Navan.
Tombstone (IRE) Evens (11-0) Led, hung right briefly on bend after 3rd, not fluent at 5th, mistake 7th and joined, headed 4 out, ridden to regain lead 2 out, stayed on well from last, won at Navan 2m 1f (1) sft in Dec beating Jett (11-0) by 3 3/4l, 4 ran.
Al Boum Photo (FR) 4-5fav (11-12) Tracked leaders, slight mistake 7th, jumped slightly right and led 3 out, narrow lead 2 out, soon ridden, stayed on well under hands and heels run-in, eased close home, comfortably, won at Navan 2m 1f Soft - Heavy in Nov beating Tycoon Prince (11-12) by 7l, 10 ran.
Arbre De Vie (FR) 13-2 (11-3) Raced in rear, went 4th and ridden from 3 out, no extra from next, 4th of 5, 23 3/4l behind Jury Duty (11-3) at Punchestown 2m 7f (1) Soft - Heavy in Nov.
Dounikos (FR) 28-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders in 3rd, closed up to challenge 3 out, on terms 2 out, led before last, stayed on well to assert run-in, won at Gowran Park 2m 4f hvy in Nov beating Monbeg Notorious (11-12) by 3 1/4l, 7 ran.
Inis Meain (USA) 25-1 (11-0) Disputed 3rd, moderate 3rd 4 out, ridden and no impression from next, kept on without reaching leaders from 2 out, 3rd of 4, 7 1/4l behind Tombstone (11-0) at Navan 2m 1f (1) sft in Dec.
Tout Est Permis (FR) 5-2 (10-12) Held up behind leaders, 4th halfway, ridden after 3 out, closer next, challenged before last, 3rd and kept on same pace from last, 3rd of 5, 8 1/4l behind The West's Awake (11-10) at Punchestown 2m 4f Soft - Heavy in Nov.
