tracked leaders, close enough in 6th when badly hampered 3 out, soon eased and virtually pulled up
led, headed 4th, disputed lead again entering straight, led narrowly 3 out, ridden from next, strongly pressed and joined inside final furlong, headed and dropped to 3rd close home, no extra
held up behind leaders in 6th, jumped left and slight mistake at 5th, slow next, ridden and no impression from 3 out, never a factor
tracked leader in 2nd, took keen hold, led from 4th, joined entering straight, headed narrowly 3 out, ridden from next, dropped to 3rd at last, no extra inside final furlong
tracked leaders, took keen hold, ridden in 3rd and slight mistake 2 out, soon hung slightly left, improved to dispute lead inside final furlong, led narrowly close home, headed near line
tracked leaders, jumped slightly right at 5th, not fluent 4 out, close 3rd on outer when fell 3 out
towards rear, 7th 3 out, pushed along in 4th 2 out, soon ridden, 4th at last, headway into 3rd inside final furlong, stayed on well to lead near line
held up in rear, ridden 3 out, soon no impression, never a factor
Samcro was on a long unbeaten run when landing this a year ago and DINONS has a similar profile. He would have been on a seven-timer but for falling at the last on his hurdling debut at Bellewstown in July and his five subsequent victories have been gained by a total of 80 lengths. He's facing much tougher opposition with penalties to carry but is worth following until beaten. Easy Game won a couple of minor events in good style though has had his limitations exposed but Magnium ran an excellent race when runner-up in a Grade 3 at Navan earlier this month and looks the one to take advantage if the selection doesn't come up to scratch. Choungaya was only just behind in that latter event and is on the upgrade but Felix Desjy was a very disappointing favourite in the same event. Winning point-to-pointer First Approach made a very impressive hurdles debut over 2m6f at Down Royal and looks a fine staying prospect.
Dinons (FR) 4-6fav (11-6) Tracked leader, mistake 5th, led after 7th, not fluent 8th, hit 3 out, clear before last, very easily, won at Cheltenham 3m (2) gs in Oct beating De Name Evades Me (10-12) by 14l, 6 ran.
Choungaya (FR) 50-1 (11-1) Led or disputed lead early, headed after 2nd, 2nd halfway, headway to dispute again 3 out, pushed along and dropped to 3rd before last where short of room and not fluent, ridden and kept on one pace run-in, 3rd of 7, 4l behind Aramon (11-1) at Navan 2m (1) gd in Nov.
Felix Desjy (FR) Evensfav (11-1) Tracked leaders, jumped left 1st, slight mistake 3rd, 4th halfway, pushed along after 3 out, ridden and dropped towards rear after next, no extra, last of 7, 10 1/4l behind Aramon (11-1) at Navan 2m (1) gd in Nov.
First Approach (IRE) 9-10fav (11-12) Disputed lead early, led before 2nd, not fluent 5th, travelled best from 3 out and went clear before last, kept on well run-in, easily, won at Down Royal 2m 6f mdn gd in Nov beating Diamond Turf (11-12) by 13l, 6 ran.
Magnium (IRE) 20-1 (11-1) Tracked leaders, ran freely, led after 2nd, joined 3 out, pushed along and led again after next, headed last, ridden and no impression on winner run-in, kept on one pace, 2nd of 7, 3l behind Aramon (11-1) at Navan 2m (1) gd in Nov.
Sometime Soon (IRE) 2-1fav (11-12) Close up and disputed early, chased leaders after 1st, close up and disputed again after 4th, ridden to lead entering straight, pressed from last, kept on well under pressure run-in, won at Wexford 2m mdn Yielding in Oct beating Notebook (11-4) by 1/2l, 10 ran.
Easy Game (FR) 7-1 (11-1) Led, headed 1st, raced in 2nd, on terms from 3 out, headed after 2 out, soon one pace, 3rd of 6, 10l behind Quick Grabim (11-1) at Tipperary 2m (1) gd in Oct.
Under Surveillance (IRE) 5-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, improved to challenge 2 out, soon ridden to lead, joined again last, kept on best to lead run-in, all out, won at Thurles 2m mdn gf in Nov beating Tillys Delight (10-13) by 1/2l, 13 ran.
Western Victory (IRE) 20-1 (11-7) Soon led, joined 2 out, led narrowly and pushed along after 2 out, kept on well run-in, won at Galway 2m mdn Yielding in Oct beating Getaway Katie Mai (11-7) by 1 3/4l, 11 ran.
