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
chased leaders in 3rd, improved to 2nd at 11th, challenged 4 out, ridden and disputed before 2 out, close 2nd and mistake 2 out, no extra before last, kept on one pace
held up in rear, dropped off pace from halfway, ridden and no impression 3 out, kept on one pace and closer straight, went 4th run-in
led, headed after 1st, regained lead 3rd, bad mistake 4 out and headed, regained narrow lead next, ridden and headed before 2 out where slight mistake, dropped to 4th last, no extra run-in
led after 1st, headed 3rd and chased leader, slight mistake 11th, soon 4th, improved to challenge 3 out, ridden and disputed before 2 out, narrow lead 2 out and mistake, asserted before last, kept on strongly
The Crafty Butcher will need to make progress to get involved but the remaining quartet arrive with chances. Lots Of Memories attempted to make all in the Grade 1 Topaz at Leopardstown and may not have been suited as he had won over a much shorter trip at Navan previously. RULE THE WORLD (NAP), a genuine Grade 1 performer over hurdles, was attempting to concede 20lb to Adriana Des Mottes when beaten a nose on his chasing debut at Fairyhouse. That was a superb effort and he'll take plenty of beating with improvement to come. He had Noble Emperor 16l behind that day and the latter was just 3l behind Val De Ferbet subsequently though the winner was impressive and is capable of better. Wounded Warrior had looked a very smart prospect when scoring at Navan and was nowhere near his best when a long way behind Gilgamboa in a Grade 2 at Limerick last time.
Lots Of Memories (IRE) 11-1 (11-10) Led and soon clear, jumped right 8th and 9th, 4 lengths lead halfway, slight mistake 10th, ridden and headed entering straight, no impression in 3rd last, no extra run-in, 3rd of 7, 14l behind Don Poli (11-9) at Leopardstown 3m nov chs Grade 1 (4yo+) (1) in Dec.
Rule The World 13-8fav (11-12) Soon tracked leaders, 3rd after 2nd, 2nd at 10th, challenged and on terms when left in lead 2 out, headed approaching last, soon led again, kept on well run-in, headed on line, 2nd of 12, ns behind Adriana Des Mottes (10-6) at Fairyhouse 2m 5f beg chs in Nov.
The Crafty Butcher (IRE) 9-2 (11-0) Stumbled early, held up, 9th at 6th, reminder from 3 out, 8th 2 out, moderate 9th before straight, no impression, 9th of 10, 19l behind Noble Endeavor (11-4) at Punchestown 2m 4f hdl sft.
Val De Ferbet (FR) 3-1 (11-11) Chased leaders, jumped well, prominent from 5th, 3rd before halfway, on terms 5 out, just led 2 out where left clear, stayed on well from before last, won at Fairyhouse 3m beg chs sft in Dec beating Noble Emperor (11-12) by 3 1/2l, 10 ran.
Wounded Warrior (IRE) 9-2 (11-4) Raced mainly in 2nd, mistake 8th, further mistake 3 out and soon dropped to 4th, ridden to challenge on outer approaching straight, no impression from 2 out, 3rd of 7, 25l behind Gilgamboa (11-4) at Limerick 2m 3f nov chs Grade 2 (1) in Dec.
