prominent, driven after 4 out, weakened next
chased leaders, weakened 4 out, pulled up before next
chased leaders, outpaced 5 out, weakened next, behind when pulled up after 2 out
refused to race
held up in rear, outpaced 6 out, rallied after next, chased leaders 3 out, soon ridden, no extra last
with leader, every chance 3 out, stayed on same pace approaching last
held up in touch, headway 5 out, chased leaders after next, led before last, stayed on well
chased leaders, effort after 4 out, weakened next
led, soon pressed, headed after 2 out, kept on under pressure
Cyclop hasn’t won since landing this contest in 2017 while Zerachiel didn’t get very far before unseating on his reappearance having finished runner-up off a similar mark in last year’s renewal. Trio For Rio gave notice of big run when placed at Chepstow recently and Boric should be spot on with a couple of recent efforts under his belt but VERY FIRST TIME looks the best option. He has a 10lb hike to contend with but has won his last couple of outings with plenty in hand and there looks more to come from Dan Skelton’s charge. Hugo 'n Taz has a second at Kilbeggan to his credit as he debuts for David Pipe’s yard while the veteran Le Reve is not badly treated on previous winning form if back to his best.
Trio For Rio (IRE) 10-1 (11-7) Always well placed, every chance before 5 out, weakened 3 out, 3rd of 9, 9 1/2l behind Dominateur (11-5) at Chepstow 3m hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Le Reve (IRE) 4-1 (11-12) Held up, headway 9th, tracked leader 15th, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, 5th of 8, 29 1/4l behind Le Boizelo (11-2) at Sandown 3m hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Zerachiel (IRE) 11-1 (11-1) In touch, blundered and unseated rider 2nd, at Haydock 3m 4f hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Bells Of Ailsworth (IRE) 50-1 (11-9) Slowly away, raced keenly, held up behind, mistake and unseated rider 13th, at Exeter 3m 7f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Very First Time 1-2fav (10-8) Held up in touch, close up on outside 12th, challenged 3 out, led next, ridden last, stayed on well, won at Catterick 3m 1f hcp (3) gs in Nov beating Jack Devine (11-12) by 6l, 7 ran.
Boric 9-1 (11-12) Tracked leader, jumped right, effort after 3 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 6, 14 3/4l behind Agamemmon (11-9) at Sedgefield 3m 2f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Hugo 'n Taz 10-1 (10-3) Chased leaders, lost place from 5th and 6th from halfway, pulled up before 8th, at Roscommon 3m 1f hcp gd in Jun.
Achill Road Boy (IRE) 33-1 (10-3) Held up mid-division, weakened before 6 out, pulled up, at Kelso 4m hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Cyclop (IRE) 9-2 (11-12) Held up in touch, ridden after 3 out, 3rd and one pace next, well held by front pair, 3rd of 9, 23 3/4l behind North Star Oscar (11-11) at Huntingdon 3m 1f hcp (4) gs in Nov.
