rear of mid-division and well off pace, left moderate 7th 3 out, no extra after next, never a factor
chased leaders, 6th halfway, closer and left 5th 3 out, no impression after 2 out, no extra
chased leader, not fluent 1st, 2nd halfway, slight mistake 7th, headway to dispute lead 3 out, led after 2 out, asserted run-in and kept on well
rear of mid-division and well off pace, 6th 4 out, no extra after 3 out
chased leader, 3rd halfway, 4th and closer when slight mistake 4 out, 3rd next, pushed along and went 2nd early run-in, kept on one pace
always towards rear, slightly hampered 2nd, never a factor, no threat from 4 out
rear of mid-division when fell 2nd
chased leader, 4th halfway, 3rd and closer 4 out, 4th when fell next
led and soon clear, mistake 4th and 5 lengths clear halfway, jumped left 3 out and joined, jumped left next and soon headed, pushed along and dropped to 3rd run-in, no extra
chased leaders, 5th halfway, closer and left 4th 3 out, no impression after 2 out and slow last, kept on one pace
towards rear, hampered 2nd, moderate 7th 4 out and left 6th next, no extra after 2 out, never a factor
always towards rear, never a factor, no threat from 4 out
FACILE VEGA, unbeaten in four bumpers including the championship events at Cheltenham and Punchestown, was not right when losing his unbeaten record in a Grade 1 over timber at Leopardstown but bounced back to finish second in the Supreme Novices‘ at Cheltenham before an easy victory in the Champion Novice at Punchestown. He had Inthepocket three lengths behind at Cheltenham and the latter showed the value of the form when landing a Grade 1 at Aintree. Both look exciting chasing prospects. Saint Felicien arrived at Gordon Elliott‘s from France with a big reputation and though injury has halted his progress he could be a very smart recruit to fences. Spillane‘s Tower‘s chasing experience should stand him in good stead while the likes of Sa Fureur and Rumoroso are chasing newcomers to note.
Ahead Of The Posse (IRE) 9-2 (11-12) Mid division, 4th halfway, no extra in 5th after 3 out, tailed off, 6th of 8, dist behind Lucid Dreams (11-12) at Sligo 2m 2f sft in Sep.
Dreal Deal (IRE) 50-1 (9-11) Dwelt, always towards rear, ridden 2f out, no impression, never a factor, 10th of 14, 7 1/2l behind Luke Short (9-7) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp pol in Nov.
Facile Vega (IRE) 4-6fav (11-12) Tracked leaders in 3rd, 2nd from halfway, bad mistake 3 out, led next, narrow lead and travelling well entering straight, pushed along and went clear at last, stayed on strongly, easily, won at Punchestown 2m (1) Yielding - Soft in Apr beating Il Etait Temps (11-12) by 7 1/2l, 5 ran.
Hands Of Gold (IRE) 7-1 (11-5) Rear, 8th before 7th, progress to 6th before 2 out, under pressure in 5th after last, one paced final furlong, 5th of 9, 15 3/4l behind The Big Chap (11-9) at Galway 2m 2f sft in Oct.
Inthepocket 3-1fav (11-7) Chased leaders, went 2nd 3 out, led after 2 out, clear when rider dropped whip flat, stayed on, won at Aintree 2m (1) gs in Apr beating Strong Leader (11-7) by 1 3/4l, 12 ran.
Jump The Shark (IRE) 2-1fav (11-10) Mid-division, 5th halfway, not fluent 3 out and reminder, no impression entering straight and slight mistake 2 out, soon no extra, 9th of 10, 35 1/4l behind Feet Of A Dancer (11-4) at Wexford 2m 4f hcp gd in Jun.
Rumoroso Evensfav (11-6) Made all, not fluent 4 out, went clear from 2 out, ridden run-in, very easily, won at Downpatrick 2m 3f mdn gd in Jul beating Urabamba (11-6) by 13l, 8 ran.
Sa Fureur (IRE) 13-2fav (11-0) Held up off the pace towards rear, tailed off and pulled up before the last, at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (1) sft in Mar.
Saint Felicien (FR) 9-2fav (11-7) Towards rear of mid-division, struggling before 4 out, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out, at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (1) sft in Mar.
Spillane's Tower (IRE) 7-4fav (11-5) In touch, not fluent at 1st, lost place at 6th, 7th before 7th, under pressure in 6th after last, kept on over 1f out, no impression on principals, 4th of 9, 6 3/4l behind The Big Chap (11-9) at Galway 2m 2f sft in Oct.
Verdant Place (IRE) 40-1 (11-12) Towards rear, 8th halfway, kept on one pace from 3 out, 5th of 11, 34 1/2l behind Imagine (11-12) at Fairyhouse 2m hvy in Nov.
Kates Hill (IRE) 100-1 (11-5) Towards rear, 10th halfway, kept on one pace from 3 out, 7th of 11, 37 1/2l behind Imagine (11-12) at Fairyhouse 2m hvy in Nov.
