held up in last, off pace at halfway, slight mistake 6th, went moderate 3rd entering straight, pushed along 2 out and hung slightly left, no impression on leaders under hands and heels
tracked leader in 2nd, 3rd briefly at 3rd, slight mistake 6th, close 2nd and pressed winner 2 out, soon ridden, kept on without threatening winner run-in
made all, pressed 2 out, soon pushed along and went clear, stayed on strongly run-in, easily
tracked leaders in 3rd, bad mistake 3rd, briefly went 2nd at 3rd, 3rd and mistake 3 out, soon ridden, dropped to moderate last entering straight, weakened
A small but classy line-up for this novices' event with Willie Mullins running both Energumene and Blackbow. The former made all for a very impressive victory on his chasing debut at Gowran and Paul Townend, who was on board that day, sticks with him over the latter, who had an easy debut success over fences at Navan before an early faller in the Grade 1 Racing Post Novices' Chase at Leopardstown. CAPTAIN GUINNESS wasn't right when pulled up on his chasing debut here but there was nothing wrong with his performance at Punchestown a month ago. He's taking on much better company here but looks the one to be on. Farmix, a 20 length winner over hurdles in March, battled to victory over fences at Fairyhouse but has much more to do.
Blackbow (IRE) 11-4 (12-0) Chased leaders in 4th, fell 3rd, at Leopardstown 2m 1f (1) Yielding in Dec.
Captain Guinness (IRE) 4-5fav (12-0) Made all, jumped well, pushed along 2 out, clear before last, stayed on well run-in, comfortably, won at Punchestown 2m hvy in Dec beating Midnight Run (12-0) by 4 3/4l, 17 ran.
Energumene (FR) 8-13fav (12-0) Made all, soon clear, slight mistake 6th, mistake 9th, 8 length lead 4 out, kept on well from next, easily, won at Gowran Park 2m 4f hvy in Nov beating Fort Worth Texas (11-7) by 18l, 10 ran.
Farmix (FR) 7-2fav (11-5) Disputed lead, led from 5th, ridden and joined entering straight, led narrowly after 2 out, strongly pressed after last, stayed on well inside final furlong, extended lead close home, won at Fairyhouse 2m hvy in Nov beating Dis Donc (11-5) by 1l, 11 ran.
