led, slight mistake and headed 7th, regained lead 5 out, disputed 3 out, ridden in 2nd before 2 out where slight mistake, 3rd and no impression before last, kept on run-in
chased leader in 2nd, led 7th, headed 5 out, disputed again 3 out, narrow lead before 2 out, ridden last, kept on well under pressure run-in
held up, mainly rear, slight mistake 5th, slight mistake 7th and reminders, ridden 3 out, no impression 2 out, slight mistake last, kept on run-in
held up and ran freely, fell 3rd
held up behind leaders, mainly 3rd, reminders after 7th, ridden before 2 out, stayed on into 2nd after 2 out, kept on run-in, pressed winner close home
Azorian had come up against decent opposition in his opening runs over fences before stepping down in class and gaining an easy victory at Navan. Fine Rightly only had two opponents to beat at Ayr which he did easily and he was 11l behind Lots Of Memories at Navan in December and the winner has since run well for a long way in much better company over longer trips. He was around 3l behind Rule The World over three miles here in January and the latter didn't have much chance in Grade 1 company last time. He's probably the main threat to NOBLE EMPEROR who looks the one to be on. Tony Martin's charge has only had six races in his career and followed a victory over fences at Fairyhouse on New Year's Day with a fine effort behind the highly regarded Very Wood in a Grade 2 at Navan with the remainder beaten a long way.
Azorian (IRE) 4-6fav (11-12) Soon led, not fluent 10th and almost joined, asserted approaching last, stayed on well run-in, comfortably, won at Navan 2m 4f beg chase hvy beating Big Kern (11-12) by 8l, 8 ran.
Fine Rightly (IRE) 4-6fav (11-8) Made all, not fluent 2nd or 11th, jumped left last, easily, won at Ayr 2m 4f nov hcp chs (3) hvy in Jan beating Final Assault (11-5) by 4l, 3 ran.
Lots Of Memories (IRE) 4-1 (11-5) Held up in 4th, 3rd after 11th, 2nd and slight mistake 5 out, narrow lead next, headed and slight mistake 3 out, soon ridden in 4th, no impression before 2 out, kept on one pace into 3rd last, 3rd of 5, 13l behind Wounded Warrior (11-5) at Naas 3m nov chs G2 (1) sft in Jan.
Noble Emperor (IRE) 5-2fav (11-3) Led, joined from 7th, led again 9th, not fluent 5 and 4 out, headed after 3 out, soon ridden, no impression on winner from 2 out, 2nd of 6, 4 1/2l behind Very Wood (11-3) at Navan 3m nov chs G2 (1) in Feb.
Rule The World 22-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, pushed along and slight mistake 2 out, no extra in 7th entering straight, left moderate 5th last, 5th of 9, 43l behind Apache Stronghold (11-10) at Leopardstown 2m 5f nov chs G1 (1) in Feb.
