soon towards rear, pushed along briefly 5th, reminder after 6th, no danger after 8th, pulled up after 10th
soon raced in 4th, 3rd 3 out, pushed along to challenge into straight, gained narrow lead from 2 out, joined last, narrowly headed and kept on well without matching winner run-in
chased leaders, soon 5th, slight mistake 10th, on terms last, gained narrow lead and stayed on well run-in
towards rear, not fluent 9th, mistake 5 out, no extra 3 out, completely tailed off
tracked leaders, soon 3rd, 2nd 3 out travelling smoothly, no impression at last in 3rd, soon no extra
soon raced in 6th, progress before 5 out, no impression from 2 out, soon no extra
on terms 2nd, led 4 out, no impression after 2 out, soon no extra
led, joined 2nd, headed 4 out, 4th 3 out, no impression from next, soon no extra
Bay Of Freedom is penalised for his two victories over fences and jumped poorly when sent to Doncaster for a Grade 2 last month. Martello Tower, the 2015 Albert Bartlett winner, couldn't handle Grade 1 company at Leopardstown after beating today's rival A Genie In Abottle a neck at Fairyhouse. He'd earlier finished close up behind Anibale Flyer at Navan, though that was over 2m1f which is too short for both. The latter did well to finish second to Coney Island in the Grade 1 Drinmore at Fairyhouse but jumped poorly when sent to Kempton for the Kauto Star where he started favourite. Balko Des Flos looked a smart prospect when scoring easily at Fairyhouse though this is much tougher and Willie Mullins looks to have the answer. Briar Hill, a Grade 1 winning bumper and hurdler, hasn't quite hit the heights over fences but HAYMOUNT certainly has and he looks the one to beat. A comfortable winner over subsequent Grade 1 winner Coney Island at Punchestown, he found stable companion Bellshill just too strong at Limerick and that form looks good enough.
Bay Of Freedom (IRE) 8-1 (11-8) Tracked winner until before 4 out, soon weakened, last of 4, 31 1/2l behind Present Man (11-8) at Doncaster 3m (1) gd in Dec.
A Genie In Abottle (IRE) 2-1 (11-12) Soon led, slight mistake 9th, went on approaching straight, reduced lead 2 out, stayed on well run-in to quickly assert, won at Fairyhouse 3m Soft - Heavy in Dec beating Blazer (11-12) by 5 1/2l, 8 ran.
Anibale Fly (FR) 3-1fav (11-7) Never fluent, towards rear, mistake 8th, behind and struggling next, tailed off and pulled up before 13th, at Kempton 3m (1) gd in Dec.
Arkwrisht (FR) 25-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, slight mistake 4th, ridden 3 out, moderate 7th and bad mistake 2 out, no impression, 8th of 14, dist behind Edwulf (11-12) at Punchestown 2m 4f Soft - Heavy in Jan.
Balko Des Flos (FR) 5-2 (11-12) Led, misatke 1st and headed, chased leader in 2nd, soon clear of field, left in lead 4 out but reduced advantage, ridden to assert after 2 out, clear before last, kept on well, won at Fairyhouse 2m 5f sft in Jan beating Arbre De Vie (11-12) by 16l, 8 ran.
Briar Hill (IRE) 9-1 (11-10) In rear, fell 9th, at Leopardstown 3m (1) Yielding in Dec.
Haymount (IRE) 4-1 (11-4) Led, pressed 2 out, soon ridden and headed, no extra and kept on same pace run-in, 2nd of 5, 3 1/4l behind Bellshill (11-4) at Limerick 2m 4f (1) hvy in Dec.
Martello Tower (IRE) 7-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders, 5th halfway, 7th 4 out, ridden and no impression after 2 out, moderate 5th before last, no extra, 4th of 10, 22l behind Our Duke (11-10) at Leopardstown 3m (1) Yielding in Dec.
