led, mistake 1st, not fluent at 3rd, headed next, ridden after 3 out, soon no impression, mistake in 5th at last
tracked leaders, led from 4th, ridden after 2 out, strongly pressed after last, joined close home, headed and no extra near line
tracked leaders in 5th, ridden and progress into 3rd before 2 out, disputed 2nd after last, improved to dispute lead close home, headed near line
tracked leaders, jumped left at 1st, ridden in 3rd 3 out, 2nd next, still 2nd at last, no extra in 4th inside final furlong
held up towards rear, slight mistake 2nd, ridden in 4th before 2 out, close 4th and slight mistake at last, headway to dispute 2nd inside final furlong, disputed lead close home, stayed on well to lead near line
soon 2nd, mistake 5th, weakened from 7th, no impression
held up in rear, ridden 3 out, soon no impression, never a factor
Mindsmadeup has won once in 23 starts and that was over hurdles though he was attempting to concede a stone to the in-form Seskin Flyer when beaten a couple of lengths at Limerick last week. Quamino made a successful chasing debut at Fairyhouse but didn't get far at Leopardstown on St Stephen's Day while Dakota Moirette was struggling when unseating his rider at the same track a day later. Punches Cross has been improving gradually over the bigger obstacles and made an impressive handicap debut over the track and trip last month. He's up 8lb and may not have the experience to tackle ARVICO BLEU (NAP), who has been very unfortunate to come up against quality opposition and his narrow defeat by subsequent Grade 1 winner Le Richebourg at Listowel is the stand-out form here.
Drumconnor Lad (IRE) 50-1 (10-7) Waited with, 22nd after 7th, soon no danger and pulled up before 3 out, at Leopardstown 3m gd in Dec.
Arvico Bleu (IRE) 11-2 (10-12) Prominent, soon 2nd, on terms from 6th, led approaching straight, slight mistake 2 out, headed approaching last, no extra and one pace after, 2nd of 9, 5l behind Duca De Thaix (11-5) at Fairyhouse 2m hcp gd in Dec.
Quamino (GER) 10-1 (10-13) Chased leaders, not fluent and unseated rider 3rd, at Leopardstown 2m 1f hcp gd in Dec.
Dakota Moirette (FR) 25-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, jumped left 3rd and bumped rival, pushed along from 2 out, soon no impression, not much room when not fluent and unseated rider last, at Leopardstown 2m 1f gd in Dec.
Punches Cross (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) Rear of mid-division, niggled along briefly at 4th, headway into 3rd 2 out, close 3rd at last, pushed along and led inside final furlong, ridden and stayed on well close home, comfortably, won at Naas 2m hcp Yielding in Dec beating Well Tom (11-2) by 3 1/4l, 12 ran.
Presenting Mahler (IRE) 20-1 (9-13) Led, slight mistake 3 out, headed approaching next, no extra and one pace straight, 7th of 10, 12 1/4l behind Tisamystery (10-3) at Leopardstown 2m 1f hcp gd in Dec.
Mindsmadeup (IRE) 12-1 (11-11) Mid-division and 5th from halfway, mistake 5 out, went 3rd before 2 out and soon ridden, left 2nd at last, kept on run-in without matching winner, 2nd of 10, 2 3/4l behind Seskin Flyer (11-4) at Limerick 2m 4f hcp sft in Dec.
