towards rear and 7th halfway, pushed along before 3 out, soon detached and pulled up before next
settled towards rear and 8th halfway, took closer order from 4 out, not fluent in 5th next, ridden before 2 out where again not fluent, soon no extra and kept on same pace from before last
prominent early before settling in mid-division, not fluent 3rd, 5th halfway, closer in 3rd from 3 out and ridden in 4th before next, no impression and kept on same pace from before last
prominent early before settling behind leaders, 3rd halfway and soon went 2nd, improved into narrow lead before 2 out and pushed along before last, pressed run-in but kept on best under pressure close home
prominent early, soon settled behind leader on inner, mistake 3rd, ridden and weakened from 5 out, detached from 3 out and pulled up before next
prominent early before improving to lead after 1st, headed before 2 out and ridden before last, kept on again to challenge run-in, no extra close home
raced in rear, not fluent 5th, ridden in detached 8th from 4 out, soon no extra, tailed off
mid-division on inner and 6th halfway, pushed along from 3 out, no impression before next and kept on same pace
mid-division and 4th halfway, took closer order from 3 out and went 3rd before next, ridden before last, no impression and kept on same pace run-in
Ministerforsport failed to finish in his first four starts between the flags then won his next three very easily before making a successful bumper debut at Gowran in March. He's an interesting entry but so is EPICURIS. A Group 1 winner as a two-year-old in France, he failed to win again and hasn't been seen since last summer but will know his job and can make a winning start. Captain Zebo has changed stables since winning a bumper at Bangor in June by 15 lengths but could be anything while Gun Digger, who won a Thurles bumper last month, will be better for his hurdling debut at Punchestown where he showed up well for a long way.
Captain Zebo (IRE) 9-1 (11-2) Tracked leader 2f, stayed handy, nudged rival and went 2nd over 2f out, soon led, clear over 1f out, ran on well, easily, won at Bangor 2m 1f (6) gs in Jun beating Holryale (11-9) by 15l, 5 ran.
Epicuris (8-11) last of 11, 23 1/4l behind Vadamos (9-1) at Saint-Cloud 1m Grp 2 stks gs in May.
Gun Digger (IRE) 9-2 (11-12) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, improved into 2nd before 5 out where slight mistake, ridden and dropped to 4th entering straight, no impression before last, 4th of 12, 18 3/4l behind Getabird (11-12) at Punchestown 2m 4f mdn hvy in Dec.
Ministerforsport (IRE) 2-1 (12-0) Led, headed after 2f, regained leaf 6f out, pushed along 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on well final furlong, won at Gowran Park 2m 2f Soft - Heavy in Mar beating Castlebrook (11-2) by 1 1/2l, 6 ran.
Boy From Tamladuff (IRE) 50-1 (12-0) Soon in rear, some headway from halfway, no extra from before straight, 12th of 13, dist behind Minella Beau (12-0) at Cork 2m 3f gd in Apr.
Celtic Rising (IRE) 20-1 (11-12) Led, slight mistake 5th, pushed along and headed approaching 2 out, soon no extra, weakened, 6th of 12, 26 1/4l behind Chris's Dream (11-12) at Limerick 2m 3f mdn sft in Dec.
Hughies Bay (IRE) 8-1 (11-6) Chased leaders, 8th at 4th, 9th at 5th, weakened after 4 out, eased and pulled up before 3 out, at Cork 2m hcp Soft - Heavy in Nov.
Lord In Red (GER) 50-1 (11-4) Held up, 9th approaching 4th, closed from before straight, kept on same pace from after 2 out, 5th of 14, 8 3/4l behind Mind's Eye (11-4) at Fairyhouse 2m mdn Soft - Heavy in Nov.
Or Jaune De Somoza (FR) 10-1 (11-12) Mid-division, no impression in moderate 9th before 3 out, kept on one pace to moderate 5th, no threat, 5th of 18, dist behind Athenean (11-9) at Cork 2m mdn hvy in Dec.
Eagle Lion (FR) 18-1 (12-0) Held up in rear, progress into 4th 2 1/2f out, ridden 2f out, kept on same pace into 3rd 1f out, no impression final furlong, 3rd of 7, 8 1/4l behind Gallahers Cross (12-0) at Galway 2m Soft - Heavy in Oct.
Lough Navar 100-1 (11-4) Rear of mid-division, not fluent 7th, pushed along and no extra 3 out, behind and pulled up before next, at Clonmel 2m 4f mdn Soft - Heavy in Nov.
