rear of mid-division, never a factor, 9th halfway, pushed along 3 out and dropped to rear entering straight
chased leader, 5th halfway, no impression in 8th approaching 3 out, no extra
towards rear, never a factor, 10th halfway, moderate 8th entering straight, no extra
chased leaders, 6th halfway, pushed along to go 3rd entering straight, not fluent last, no extra run-in
chased leader, 3rd halfway, closer in 2nd 4 out, pushed along in challenge entering straight, slight mistake last, no impression on winner run-in
made all, 5 lengths lead halfway, reduced advantage and slight mistake 8th, pressed entering straight, ridden and kept on well run-in
chased leader, 2nd halfway, 4th and slight mistake 4 out, no impression in 6th before 2 out, no extra
mid-division, 8th halfway, moderate 6th approaching 3 out, 5th 2 out, kept on one pace
in rear, never a factor, pushed along in 11th after 2 out, kept on one pace in straight
chased leaders, 4th halfway, 3rd approaching 3 out, pushed along and no impression in 4th before last, kept on one pace
mid-division, 7th halfway, no impression approaching 3 out, no extra
always towards rear, never a factor, no impression approaching 3 out, kept on one pace
Willie Mullins has found the ideal race for OPEN EAGLE to start his career over timber. The winner of three of his last four starts for David O'Meara, including an astonishing 12-length success on heavy ground in the November Handicap, he'll be at short odds here and it will be a shock if he's beaten. Oscar Knight should ensure he has a good test as he improved out of all recognition when runner-up to Rathpatrick at Fairyhouse and was backed to do so. Winning point-to-pointer Total Recall made a reasonable debut over hurdles here in October so it was a surprise to see him back in a bumper for his next start where he didn't impress. Champione will improve for his recent run at Leopardstown and looks best of the remainder.
Countdown (GER) 25-1 (11-9) Always towards rear, ridden and no extra 3 out, 13th of 15, well behind Russian Bill (11-10) at Naas 2m 3f mdn hdl sft in Jan.
Luckyinmilan (IRE) 40-1 (11-12) Towards rear for most, ridden and no impression 3 out, 11th of 15, 46l behind Russian Bill (11-10) at Naas 2m 3f mdn hdl sft in Jan.
Ocean Pioneer (IRE) 50-1 (11-9) Held up towards rear, ridden 4 out, soon no impression, last of 8, well behind If Not For You (11-12) at Gowran Park 2m 4f mdn hdl in Oct.
Open Eagle (IRE) 15-2fav (8-12) In touch, raced wide and alone after about 2f, led over 2f out, clear over 1f out, easily, won at Doncaster 1m 4f hcp (2) hvy in Nov beating Aramist (8-12) by 12l, 23 ran (flat).
Oscar Knight (IRE) 11-4 (11-12) Tracked leaders, 4th 3 out, close 2nd when left in front next, soon ridden, strongly pressed and mistake last, headed after last, kept on same pace run-in, 2nd of 25, 4 1/2l behind Rathpatrick (11-12) at Fairyhouse 2m mdn hdl in Jan.
Total Recall (IRE) 6-1 (11-9) Led and disputed on inner, 2nd after 6f, 3rd 4f out, ridden 3f out, no extra entering straight, 4th of 6, 22l behind Bellshill (11-11) at Thurles 2m NH flat sft in Nov.
Champione (IRE) 25-1 (11-9) Rear of mid-division, slight mistake 3 out, soon ridden and no impression, never a factor, 9th of 11, 29l behind Fletcher (11-12) at Leopardstown 2m 4f mdn hdl sft in Jan.
Daydream Island (IRE) 66-1 (10-10) Mid-division, closer in 6th halfway, ridden and no extra 3 out, weakened, 12th of 17, well behind Jimmy Two Times (10-13) at Clonmel 2m 4f amat mdn hdle sft in Dec.
Levi (IRE) 25-1 (11-4) Prominent, took keen hold, 2nd early, lost place from 5f out, eased from before straight, completely tailed off, 14th of 16, dis behind The Big Apple (11-4) at Naas 2m 4yo NH flat sft in Nov.
Robin Des People (IRE) 14-1 (11-9) Held up, closer in 6th from 6f out, pushed along from 5f out, no extra into straight, 5th of 11, 50l behind Hurry Henry (11-9) at Cork 2m NH flat hvy in Jan.
Theo (IRE) 100-1 (11-10) Towards rear for most, never a factor, 10th of 19, well behind Cliff House (11-10) at Gowran Park 2m mdn hdl in Jan.
Selective Hearing (IRE) 66-1 (10-11) Mid-division, 10th halfway, slight mistake in 9th 3 out, no extra, weakened, tailed off, 14th of 17, well behind Wrath Of Titans (11-12) at Thurles 2m 6f mdn hdl hvy in Dec.
