chased leaders, 3rd approaching 2 out, soon no impression under pressure, kept on same pace
always towards rear, kept on same pace from 3 out
tracked leaders, dropped to 4th and ridden approaching 2 out, went 3rd last, soon left 2nd and stayed on well run-in to lead near line
tracked leaders, 2nd approaching 5 out, challenged 3 out, soon led, stayed on well under pressure run-in, caught near line
held up towards rear, 5th before straight, soon struggling, kept on same pace, lame post race
led, pressed 3 out, soon headed, on terms again 2 out, 2nd when pecked last and no extra
FOILDUBH ran very well behind Blackstairmountain in the Grade 1 Racing Post at Leopardstown but poorly in the Arkle on a return visit last month. If back to his best he can gain his second victory over fences. Carloswayback is progressing nicely and looked in very good form at Punchestown last month though that was over 2m4f which looks his trip. Donnas Palm hasn't quite lived up to his reputation after making a winning debut over fences and Nearest The Pin is tackling better company than when beaten by Hidden Cyclone last time. Far Away So Close is another stepping up in grade after his defeat by Colbert Station at Leopardstown and the remainder will need to improve to get involved.
Carloswayback (IRE) 11-4 (11-12) Tracked leaders, 6th halfway, 3rd approaching 3 out and close 2nd next, travelled best to lead last, soon asserted run-in and kept on well, comfortably, won at Punchestown 2m 4f beg chase hvy in Jan beating Gates Of Rome (11-12) by 4l, 13 ran.
Delphi Mountain (IRE) 14-1 (11-4) Held up in last, headway into 4th 4 out, 3rd 3 out, ridden and no impression leaders entering straight, kept on one pace, 4th of 7, 15l behind Days Hotel (11-4) at Punchestown 2m nov chs Grade 2 (1) sft in Nov.
Donnas Palm (IRE) 12-1 (11-5) Disputed early, soon chased leaders in 3rd, 4th 7 out, dropped to rear 4 out, ridden and no impression 3 out, 4th of 5, 26l behind Sir Des Champs (11-10) at Leopardstown 2m 5f nov chs G2 (1) in Jan.
Foildubh (IRE) 16-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, no extra from 2 out, weakened, last of 7, 49l behind Flemenstar (11-12) at Leopardstown 2m 1f nov chs G1 (1) sft in Jan.
Nearest The Pin (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, 5th halfway, 3rd 3 out, 2nd after next and ridden to challenge briefly early run-in, soon no impression on winner and kept on same pace, 2nd of 7, 2l behind Hidden Cyclone (11-12) at Leopardstown 2m 3f beg chs gd in Dec.
Westmeath (IRE) 7-1 (10-12) Rear of mid-division, 9th halfway, 7th 3 out, ridden along in 5th entering straight, no extra before last, 5th of 11, 12l behind Senior Again (9-10) at Leopardstown 2m 1f hcp chs sft in Jan.
Far Away So Close (IRE) 11-10fav (11-12) Disputed early, chased leader from before 4th, led 2 out, challenged entering straight, ridden and headed run-in, no extra and kept on same pace, 2nd of 8, 1 1/4l behind Colbert Station (11-12) at Leopardstown 2m 1f beg chase in Jan.
