tracked leaders in 3rd, ridden to lead 2 out, stayed on well under pressure run-in
held up in last, bumped at 1st, adrift briefly halfway, went closer 4th 4 out, pushed along entering straight, ridden in moderate 4th 2 out, 4th at last, kept on well in 3rd run-in , never nearer
tracked leader in 2nd, led from 5 out, ridden approaching 2 out, headed 2 out, soon no extra in 3rd, dropped to 4th run-in
held up in 4th, jumped left at 1st, 2nd travelling well entering straight, ridden in 2nd from 2 out, kept on under pressure run-in
led, headed and mistake 5 out, weakened quickly and dropped to last 4 out, soon trailing
Rory O'Moore was a fair bumper and hurdler but pulled up on his only start over fences. Draycott Place had plenty of strong form over hurdles before making his chasing debut at Downpatrick in September and running very well behind Definite Ruby. He would have won on his next start over the bigger obstacles at Navan last month but for running out then fell back over hurdles at Thurles. SIZING GRANITE made a brilliant start to his chasing career when beating the odds-on Lieutenant Colonel at Naas. The runner-up has since won two Grade 1s over hurdles and, though he has to concede weight all round, Henry De Bromhead's charge can make amends for unseating his rider in a Grade 2 at Punchestown. Blood Cotil was very useful over hurdles and would have made a winning start over fences at Cork in January but for falling two out. He's come up against classy opposition subsequently and, with more to offer, has to be in the shake-up. Fine Rightly won two bumpers and two races over hurdles before a very encouraging chasing debut behind the useful Lots Of Memories at Navan.
Sizing Granite (IRE) 4-1 (11-4) Chased leaders early, held up from 4th, progress into 3rd 4 out, ridden when mistake and unseated rider next, in a race won by Chancol (11-4) at Punchestown 2m nov chs Grade 2 (1) sft in Nov, 6 ran.
Blood Cotil (FR) 11-8 (11-12) Tracked leader in 2nd, joined for 2nd at 7th, ridden in 2nd 2 out, kept on same pace in 2nd run-in, 2nd of 14, 7l behind Wounded Warrior (11-12) at Navan 2m 4f beg chs in Dec.
Draycott Place (IRE) 9-4 (11-3) Tracked leaders in 3rd, progress into 2nd before 8th, led 3 out, pushed along and headed approaching next, soon no impression on winner, moderate 2nd when fell last, in a race won by Kauto Grand Mogol (11-7) at Thurles 2m 6f nov hdl 0-123 hvy in Dec, 4 ran.
Fine Rightly (IRE) 9-1 (11-12) Prominent, 3rd halfway, ridden to challenge briefly after 2 out, no extra in 2nd before last, kept on same pace, 2nd of 18, 11l behind Lots Of Memories (11-12) at Navan 2m 1f beg chs in Dec.
Rory O'Moore (IRE) 14-1 (11-5) Led and clear early, reduced advantage from 4th, slight mistake and headed 3 out, soon no extra, 9th of 11, 34l behind Sort It Out (10-5) at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp hdl sft in Dec.
