slight mistake 1st, tracked leaders, soon 2nd, pushed along approaching straight, soon under pressure, closed 3 out, over 1L down when left clear last, kept on
chased leaders, no impression from 3 out, soon no extra, left remote 3rd from last
inclined to jump slightly left, held up in 5th, closer order 5th, soon 3rd, slight mistake 2 out, soon no impression, left 2nd from last and slightly impeded, kept on same pace
disputed lead early, soon led and clear, still travelling smoothly but reduced lead 3 out, pushed along from 2 out, over 1L up when fell last
in rear, slight mistake 3rd, eased straight, left remote 4th from last
towards rear, slight mistake 5 out, soon closer in 5th, switched right after 3 out, soon no impression, fell last
disputed lead early, prominent, slight mistake 3rd, dropped to 5th from 5th, under pressure 5 out, soon 6th, no extra approaching straight, pulled up before 3 out
Arctic Skipper, a winner between the flags and of a maiden hurdle, was expected to improve for his opening run over fences when tackling this trip at Punchestown but made too many errors and will need to jump better. CHAMPAGNE JAMES has had nine starts over fences and undoubtedly been disappointing. He's been well supported on several occasions but easily his best runs have been over this trip so he's given another chance to finally lose that maiden tag. Fascino Rustico makes his chasing debut and is likely to attract support. He completed a double over timber around this time last year so has to be respected. Misdflight was well beaten on his chasing debut at Fairyhouse but scored over hurdles there in November and will come on for the experience. Stoughan Cross has been well supported on several occasions over timber and shown the occasional sign of ability.
Arctic Skipper (IRE) 2-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, ridden in 4th 2 out, no impression in moderate 4th entering straight, kept on one paced to go 3rd run-in, 3rd of 10, 6 1/2l behind Measureofmydreams (11-12) at Punchestown 2m 4f hvy in Jan.
Ballycahane (IRE) 20-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, 5th when bad mistake and unseated rider 8th, at Punchestown 2m 4f hvy in Jan.
Champagne James (IRE) 9-2 (11-12) Led, joined 7th, headed and dropped to 5th 3 out, soon ridden and no impression, jumped left and left 4th at last, kept on one pace, 4th of 11, 8l behind Walk To Freedom (11-12) at Navan 2m 1f hvy in Dec.
Fascino Rustico 7-1 (11-10) Took keen hold, held up in rear, hit 6th, headway into 4th next, 3rd and travelling well when blundered 2 out, no chance and weakened after, went left and mistake last, 4th of 6, 25 1/2l behind Different Gravey (11-10) at Ayr 2m 4f (3) gd in Apr.
Misdflight (IRE) 100-1 (11-12) Towards rear, not fluent 2nd, never a factor, 5th of 10, dist behind Mckinley (11-12) at Fairyhouse 2m 1f hvy in Jan.
Oscar Knight (IRE) 33-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, 5th halfway, progress into 2nd before 4 out, 3 lengths down and blundered 2 out, soon dropped to 6th and no extra, 6th of 8, dist behind Sambremont (11-12) at Fairyhouse 2m 5f hvy in Jan.
Stoughan Cross (IRE) 11-8fav (10-12) Mid-division, pushed along at 2nd and 3rd, ridden from 3 out, no impression, never a factor, 8th of 15, 29 3/4l behind Mystic Princess (10-10) at Sligo 2m hcp sft in May.
