soon led, 2 lengths clear at 6th, reduced advantage entering straight, under pressure and headed before 2 out, weakened after 2 out, bad mistake at last
soon tracked leader, not fluent at 2nd, 4th at 5th, improved to 3rd after 6th, progress 3 out, under pressure in 3rd 2 out, ridden and lost place before last, one paced run-in
prominent, 3rd at 5th, progress after 6th, pushed along in 2nd 2 out, ridden to lead narrowly before last, kept on well run-in, driven out
prominent, dropped to 6th at 5th, progress on inner before 2 out, pushed along in 4th before last, ridden and kept on run-in without threatening
rear, not fluent at 2nd, 8th at 5th, not fluent at 6th, travelled well and took closer order 2 out, stayed on to 3rd at last, ridden and ran on well to 2nd closing stages, not reach winner
towards rear, 5th at 5th, dropped to 7th after 4 out, no impression after 2 out, one paced run-in
in touch, took closer order at 3rd, 2nd at 5th, 4th after 6th, lost place and not fluent 3 out, soon under pressure and dropped to rear, weakened and eased before 2 out
chased leader, dropped to 7th at 5th, progress after 4 out, travelled well on inner to lead before 2 out, headed and ridden before last, kept on, no extra and dropped to 3rd closing stages
Most can be given a chance including Fakir representing last year’s winning yard and fitted with a tongue-tie today. Arahecan has gone close over a longer trip at Clonmel the last twice while Randalls Ur Poet was placed over fences last month and has a shout on these terms back over timber. Tomeric and Rasiym are maiden hurdle winners while Bal De Rio had seven outings without success over timber for Brian Ellison and debuts for new connections. But EMPIRE BURLEQUE was having his first outing since July when fading into fourth in a handicap at Fairyhouse recently having still been in contention at the last and Gordon Elliott’s charge may prove the one to side with in this.
Arahecan (IRE) 5-1 (11-4) Tracked leader, led after 7th, headed briefly early straight, pushed along after 2 out and headed last, ridden and no impression on winner run-in, 2nd of 17, 3/4l behind Sailingtobyzantium (10-11) at Clonmel 2m 3f mdn sft in Dec.
Randalls Ur Poet (IRE) 6-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, 7th halfway, 5th and pushed along 2 out, soon no impression and kept on one pace, 4th of 15, 9 3/4l behind Niccolai (11-5) at Clonmel 2m 1f sft in Dec.
Fakir (FR) 9-1 (11-7) Close up and disputed lead briefly early, 5th from 3rd, slight mistake 7th, well off pace in 6th approaching straight, soon closed but no impression when impeded last, one pace, 6th of 26, 16l behind Festival D'ex (11-7) at Navan 2m mdn sft in Dec.
Rasiym (FR) 12-1 (11-7) In touch on outer, not fluent at 2nd, 3rd after 4th, slight mistake 3 out, pushed along and hampered before 2 out where dropped to 7th, weakened after 2 out, 8th of 14, dist behind Lethal Steps (11-7) at Galway 2m 1f gd in Jul.
Bal De Rio (FR) 33-1 (8-12) In rear, headway over 2f out, ridden and not much room over 1f out, kept on well inside final furlong, 3rd of 15, 2 1/4l behind Carnwennan (8-12) at York 2m hcp (3) gf in May.
Cool Robin (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Soon tracked leaders, 4th after 5th, dropped to moderate 6th approaching straight and weakened, 13th of 15, dist behind Treacysenniscorthy (11-4) at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp sft in Dec.
Empire Burleque (IRE) 13-2 (11-7) Tracked leaders, 5th entering straight, improved to dispute lead briefly 2 out, soon ridden and headed, dropped to 3rd and no impression on leaders before last, slight mistake at last, no impression, 4th of 12, 7 1/2l behind Fight For Love (10-11) at Fairyhouse 2m hcp hvy in Dec.
Tomeric (FR) 14-1 (9-10) Mid-division, 4th after 4th, mistake and fell 4 out, at Punchestown 2m hcp sft in Nov.
