held up towards rear, ridden in rear and no impression entering straight, weakened 3 out, pulled up before last
chased leader and prominent, disputed briefly from 5th to 7th, 3rd halfway, challenged 3 out, soon disputed, led and travelled best before last, 1-length advantage when fell last
held up, 5th halfway, improved to challenge and slight mistake 3 out, soon disputed, ridden in 2nd before last, 1-length down when left in lead last, kept on run-in
held up behind leaders, 4th halfway, improved to challenge after 3 out, ridden in 3rd 2 out, no impression before last where left 2nd, kept on same pace and no impression on winner
led and disputed, ridden in 4th 2 out, soon no extra, left moderate 3rd last
slightly slow 1st, chased leader and prominent, 2nd halfway, slightly slow 10th, disputed before straight, ridden in 5th 3 out, soon no extra, left moderate 4th last
Willie Mullins saddles three including the Gigginstown-owned Measureofmydreams but the owner's retained jockey Bryan Cooper chooses Sub Lieutenant. Sandra Hughes' charge has been coming up against smart chasers since turning to fences though that's likely to be the case again. Classy hurdler Monksland has done well over the bigger obstacles and though beaten by Outlander in a Grade 1 at Leopardstown last weekend it was still an excellent run and he should be in the frame. He had Noble Endeavour behind when scoring at Gowran but the one they all have to beat is BLACK HERCULES (NAP). The winner of seven of his 10 starts if you include a point-to-point, he's a classy individual with the scope to reach the top level and he jumped superbly to land a Listed contest at Warwick last month.
Shantou Flyer (IRE) 12-1 (11-10) Chased leader, slight mistake 3rd, disputed from 4th, headed 7th, slight mistake 8th, disputed again 5 out, slight mistake 3 out and ridden, no extra in 4th 2 out, 5th last, weakened, 5th of 7, 30 1/2l behind No More Heroes (11-10) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f (1) Soft - Heavy in Nov.
Black Hercules (IRE) 5-6fav (11-4) Jumped well, tracked leader, led 2nd, shaken up flat, comfortably, won at Warwick 3m lst (1) hvy in Jan beating Definitly Red (11-0) by 2 3/4l, 5 ran.
Measureofmydreams (IRE) 11-8fav (11-12) Tracked leaders, not fluent 3rd, close 3rd after 2 out, ridden to lead before last, stayed on well run-in, won at Punchestown 2m 4f hvy in Jan beating Mr Diablo (11-12) by 2 1/4l, 10 ran.
Noble Endeavor (IRE) 4-11fav (11-12) Chased leaders, moderate 3rd halfway, closer in 2nd 3 out, ridden before 2 out, stayed on to challenge 2 out, led approaching last, ran around slightly after last, kept on well closing stages, won at Down Royal 2m 4f hvy in Dec beating Marlbrook (11-12) by 2 1/2l, 8 ran.
Pleasant Company (IRE) 11-8fav (11-12) Made virtually all, joined 4 out, ridden and strongly pressed entering straight, led at last, stayed on well under pressure run-in, won at Punchestown 3m 1f hvy in Dec beating Montys Meadow (11-12) by 2 1/4l, 7 ran.
Sub Lieutenant (IRE) 12-1 (11-5) Disputed lead, led approaching 9th, pushed along into straight, soon under pressure and headed, dropped to last before 2 out where slight mistake, soon no impression, no extra before last, one pace, last of 3, 6l behind Roi Des Francs (11-5) at Naas 3m (1) Soft - Heavy in Jan.
Monksland (IRE) 6-1 (11-10) Soon raced in 4th, not fluent 5th, 3rd at 9th, slight mistakes 10th and 3 out, pushed along to go moderate 3rd approaching straight, no impression and hit last, 2nd and kept on well closing stages, 2nd of 6, 2 3/4l behind Outlander (11-10) at Leopardstown 2m 5f (1) Soft - Heavy in Feb.
Wrath Of Titans (IRE) 25-1 (11-10) Led, jumped right 8th and 9th, headed 12th, dropped to rear and ridden entering straight, no extra before last, last of 4, 27 1/2l behind No More Heroes (11-10) at Leopardstown 3m (1) hvy in Dec.
