disputed lead until led 4th, not fluent and headed 6th, disputed again next and slow 3 out, soon led, pushed along after next and 2 lengths clear last, ridden and kept on run-in
tracked leaders, ran freely, 3rd halfway, closer 4 out, slight mistake 2 out, 2nd and pushed along when mistake last, kept on run-in
rear of mid-division, 8th 4 out, pushed along and no impression early straight, kept on one pace from before last
held up towards rear, 7th 4 out, some headway early straight, went 4th 2 out where slight mistake, no impression approaching last, kept on one pace run-in to go moderate 3rd close home
tracked leaders, 5th halfway, pushed along early straight and no extra after 2 out
tracked leaders, 4th halfway, went 2nd briefly before 4 out, pushed along and no impression in 6th 2 out, no extra
always rear, pushed along and no impression after 3 out, no extra in straight
held up in rear of mid-division, ran freely, headway into 4th before 4 out, went 2nd approaching 2 out, dropped to 3rd before last, ridden and no extra run-in
disputed lead, headed 4th, remained prominent and led 6th, joined next and headed after 3 out, dropped to 7th 2 out, no extra
Aione will be looking to cement his Cheltenham credentials having scored with plenty in hand at Gowran. However, RUSSIAN DIAMOND, a bumper winner at Galway in July, made an impressive hurdling bow at Down Royal and can upset the likely favourite. Alpine Cobra is much more of a staying type having scored over 2m6f at Punchestown and unless the going turns very testing he may not have the pace for this. Arcadian Sunrise just held off Whatsnotoknow at Thurles and the winner won subsequently.
Aione (FR) 2-5fav (11-12) Tracked leader in 2nd early, mistake 3rd, disputed lead next, led from 7th and made rest, went clear travelling well entering straight, stayed on strongly run-in, eased inside final furlong, easily, won at Gowran Park 2m 4f mdn Soft - Heavy in Jan beating West Cork Wildway (11-8) by 5 1/2l, 7 ran.
Russian Diamond (IRE) 5-4fav (11-10) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, progress in 3rd 3 out, led travelling well before 2 out, ridden to assert before last, slight mistake last, kept on strongly run-in, won at Down Royal 2m 1f mdn Soft - Heavy in Dec beating Behind The Curtain (11-10) by 5 1/2l, 12 ran.
Alpine Cobra (IRE) 25-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, headway approaching straight, pushed along when left 2nd 2 out, soon no impression on winner, slight mistake last, kept on one pace, 2nd of 6, 20l behind Monkfish (11-5) at Thurles 2m 6f Yielding in Jan.
Arcadian Sunrise (IRE) 5-2fav (11-10) Tracked leaders, 5th halfway, not fluent 3 out and closer in 3rd approaching straight, headway to lead before last, pushed out and kept on run-in, won at Thurles 2m mdn Yielding in Jan beating Whatsnotoknow (11-10) by 1/2l, 10 ran.
Sonnenkonig (FR) 66-1 (11-7) Waited with, 11th from 3rd, slight mistake 3 out, no extra and slow jump 2 out, tailed off, 14th of 17, dist behind The Bosses Oscar (11-7) at Leopardstown 2m 4f mdn sft in Dec.
Wherethewindsblow 20-1 (11-7) Led, joined 4th, mistake 6th, headed next, ridden and dropped to 4th 3 out, soon no impression on leaders, kept on one pace, 4th of 7, 31l behind Aione (11-12) at Gowran Park 2m 4f mdn Soft - Heavy in Jan.
Soi Cowboy 16-1 (11-8) Held up in touch in rear, took keen hold, went 3rd at 4th, weakened from 4 out, pulled up before 2 out, at Gowran Park 2m 4f mdn Soft - Heavy in Jan.
The Echo Boy (IRE) 10-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, 4th 4 out, soon ridden, weakened after 3 out, 6th of 10, dist behind Golazo (11-12) at Tramore 2m 6f Soft - Heavy in Oct.
Wingin A Prayer (IRE) 4-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, not fluent 3 out and soon ridden, no impression approaching straight and no extra between final 2, went moderate 3rd run-in, 3rd of 10, 10l behind Arcadian Sunrise (11-10) at Thurles 2m mdn Yielding in Jan.
Chief Of Police (IRE) 13-2 (11-6) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, ridden into 3rd after 3 out, 2nd entering straight, no impression on leader before last, under pressure in 4th last, kept on same pace run-in, 3rd of 15, 6 1/4l behind Sean Says (10-3) at Punchestown 2m hcp Soft - Heavy in Jan.
