led, joined after 2nd, headed before 4th, slight mistake 5th, dropped to last before 6th and pushed along, fell heavily next
a little keen early, soon raced in 3rd, slight mistake 4th, 2nd from next, slight mistake 3 out, pushed along into straight, jumped slightly left 2 out, one pace run-in
soon tracked leader, on terms after 2nd, led before 4th, still travelling smoothly straight, pushed along from 2 out, stayed on best run-in
hit 1st, in touch in last, 3rd before 6th, pushed along into straight, no impression before 2 out, no extra and hit last
Just four engaged here but a very interesting race. American Tom made all to beat Gangster at Punchestown despite jumping repeatedly to the left. He'll be better on this track and with that experience behind him will make a bold bid to see off these smart rivals. That runner-up is trained by Henry De Bromhead, who has SOME PLAN entered here. A dual hurdles winner, he started odds-on for his chasing debut at Punchestown and made all for an emphatic victory before heading for a Grade 2 at Cheltenham where he fell at the second last when in the lead and going well. That looks the best form on offer so he's handed the vote though Road To Respect beat the potentially useful Prince Of Scars here in November and has subsequently tackled Grade 1 company without being disgraced. Stone Hard has a bit to find but could hardly have been more impressive at Limerick and it would be no surprise if he were to improve enough to get into the picture.
American Tom (FR) Evensfav (11-12) Led, jumped left, bad mistake 3rd, pressed and almost joined 2 out, stayed on well under pressure run-in, won at Punchestown 2m Yielding - Soft in Dec beating Gangster (11-12) by 1 1/2l, 13 ran.
Road To Respect (IRE) 20-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, closer order when slight mistake 4 out, pushed along before straight, soon chased winner, pecked slightly last, kept on same pace run-in, 3rd of 7, 9 1/2l behind Min (11-12) at Leopardstown 2m 1f (1) Yielding in Dec.
Some Plan (IRE) 9-2 (11-6) Took keen hold, prominent, led after 2nd, headed before 5th, led 8th, stumbled slightly 3 out, 1/2 length lead when fell 2 out, at Cheltenham 2m (1) sft in Nov.
Stone Hard (IRE) 7-4 (11-12) Tracked leaders, closer in 2nd from 4 out, improved to lead before 2 out and soon went clear, kept on well run-in, easily, won at Limerick 2m 2f Soft - Heavy in Dec beating Double Island (11-12) by 12l, 11 ran.
