chased leaders in 3rd, slight mistake 3rd, closed straight, challenged travelling smoothly from 2 out, led between last 2, hit last, pushed out to soon assert, stayed on well, comfortably
chased leader in 2nd, took closer order 5th, on terms approaching 4 out, pushed along straight, led before 2 out, headed between last 2, soon dropped to 3rd and no extra
led, not fluent 5th, joined approaching 4 out, pushed along from 3 out, headed before 2 out where slight mistake, soon dropped to rear and no extra
in rear, pushed along briefly from 3 out, closed straight, under pressure from 2 out, challenged in 2nd approaching last, one pace run-in
The last four short-priced favourites have won this and SEMPRE MEDICI is likely to follow suit. Already a Grade 2 winner after an easy victory over the exciting Identity Thief at Fairyhouse, he couldn't quite cope with Old Guard at the same level at Cheltenham last month and takes a drop in class here. Plinth landed a Grade 2 at Tipperary in October and his two recent runs have been at the highest level when a long way behind Nichols Canyon in both. A line through that winner gives him something to find with the selection and the ground may not be quite to his liking. He'llberemembered is running incredibly well for a teenager and followed his victory on fast going at Thurles with a decent effort on the Polytrack at Dundalk but this looks a step too far. Massini's Trap was well in front of Lindenhurst at Punchestown on New Year's Eve and looks best of the remaining pair.
Sempre Medici (FR) 5-1 (11-4) Held up behind leaders, challenged approaching last, every chance flat, stayed on, held towards finish, 2nd of 6, 1l behind Old Guard (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m 1f (1) sft in Dec.
He'llberemembered (IRE) 5-1 (9-8) Towards rear, some progress on outer into 6th halfway, pushed along to go 2nd entering straight, ridden and led briefly 1f out, under pressure and no extra final 100 yards, 3rd of 9, 2 1/2l behind Taglietelle (9-10) at Dundalk 2m hcp pol in Nov.
Lindenhurst (IRE) 25-1 (11-4) Towards rear, pushed along 3 out, soon no impression, never a factor, 7th of 8, 21 3/4l behind Noble Emperor (11-4) at Punchestown 2m 4f hvy in Dec.
Massini's Trap (IRE) 9-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders in 3rd, 4th from 3rd, ridden in 5th 2 out, went 4th entering straight, 3rd at last, kept on without threatening in 3rd run-in, 3rd of 8, 3 1/2l behind Noble Emperor (11-4) at Punchestown 2m 4f hvy in Dec.
Plinth (IRE) 40-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, pushed along and no impression approaching 2 out, moderate 4th and no extra entering straight, kept on one pace, 3rd of 4, 18l behind Nichols Canyon (11-10) at Leopardstown 2m (1) hvy in Dec.
