led after 1st, pushed along 2 out and soon asserted, ridden and kept on run-in, reduced advantage closing stages
tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, pushed along after 3 out, no impression after 2 out and jumped left last, ridden and kept on one pace run-in
ran 4th, close up 4 out, pushed along after next, ridden and no impression approaching last, no extra
led early, jumped right, tracked leader and 2nd halfway, pushed along after 4 out, mistake 2 out, soon ridden and no impression approaching last, kept on well run-in
The 2020 Champion Bumper FERNY HOLLOW beat Bob Olinger on his hurdling debut at Gowran later that year before returning over a year later to make a winning debut over fences at Punchestown. He then gave 13lb to the very smart Riviere D'etel in a Grade 1 at Leopardstown on St Stephen's Day and makes his long-awaited reappearance. The latter continued to run well at the very highest level and is only five so should have more improvement in her. Epson Du Houx returned after a long break to land a Cork handicap a year ago so the lack of a recent run won't be a problem. Captain Guinness has been very highly-tried throughout his career over hurdles and fences and beat Andy Dufresne almost five lengths in a Grade 3 at Naas a year ago though the latter was conceding 7lb and receives 6lb here.
Captain Guinness (IRE) 28-1 (11-12) Towards rear, 4th after 1st, mistake and bumped rival at 5th, 3rd before 4 out where not fluent, moderate 3rd before 2 out, dropped to moderate 4th and weakened before last, 4th of 5, 25 1/2l behind Energumene (11-12) at Punchestown 2m (1) Good - Yielding in Apr.
Andy Dufresne (IRE) 16-1 (11-12) Rear, slightly detached in 5th at 1st where mistake and fell, at Punchestown 2m (1) Good - Yielding in Apr.
Castlegrace Paddy (IRE) 10-1 (11-4) Mid-division, 7th halfway, pushed along and dropped towards rear 5f out, kept on one pace in straight, 8th of 12, 35 1/4l behind Monas Melody (10-13) at Listowel 1m 6f gd in Sep.
Riviere D'etel (FR) 8-1 (11-3) Tracked leader, disputed 2nd, 3rd entering straight, ridden after 3 out, slight mistake 2 out, no impression before last, kept on one pace, 3rd of 4, 20 1/2l behind Galopin Des Champs (11-10) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f (1) Yielding in Apr.
Ferny Hollow (IRE) 10-11fav (12-0) Disputed lead early until led 1st, made rest, pressed after last (normal 2 out), ridden and kept on well inside final furlong, won at Leopardstown 2m 1f (1) sft in Dec beating Riviere D'etel (11-1) by 1 1/2l, 6 ran.
Epson Du Houx (FR) 7-1 (11-10) Close up, disputed before 5th, led before 6th, pressed 3 out, ridden before last, kept on well run-in close up, disputed before 5th, led before 6th, pressed 3 out, ridden before last, kept on well run-in, won at Cork 2m 1f hcp sft in Nov beating Golden Jewel (9-12) by 4l, 8 ran.
Fastorslow (FR) 10-3fav (11-11) Tracked leaders, 8th halfway, headway in 5th 2 out, ridden early straight and went 3rd last, kept on well into 2nd run-in, 2nd of 24, 3l behind Camprond (11-4) at Punchestown 2m 3f hcp Yielding in Apr.
