Buddy Rich made a promising hurdling debut on this track before a disappointing run at Leopardstown but Francin put a poor effort on this course behind him with a fine run in a strong Leopardstown maiden and is the type to improve again. PENCILFULLOFLEAD (NAP) bumped into a very smart recruit in Asterion Forlonge at Naas last month. The winner has subsequently won a Grade 1 so Gordon Elliott's charge should go one better. Arthurian Fame has given the impression that this trip would suit in both starts over hurdles and could provide the main threat though Robin De Sivola should be winning soon.
Ballyadam Destiny 66-1 (11-12) Soon chased leaders, 7th approaching halfway, some slight mistakes, one pace from before 2 out, stumbled last, 9th of 22, 30 1/4l behind Le Musigny (11-12) at Punchestown 2m mdn sft in Jan.
Da Big Fella (IRE) 66-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, slight mistake 3rd, 4th halfway, slight mistake 4 out, ridden and no extra entering straight, 7th of 13, 27l behind Vis Ta Loi (11-4) at Clonmel 2m 3f mdn Soft - Heavy in Nov.
Dessie Deschamps (IRE) 66-1 (11-4) Mid-division, slight mistake 4th and reminders, pushed along before 5th where slight mistake, weakened next, pulled up before 3 out, at Down Royal 2m 4f mdn sft in Dec.
Francin (FR) 14-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, 5th halfway, some headway in 3rd after 3 out, pushed along entering straight and no impression approaching last where not fluent, ridden and kept on one pace, 3rd of 16, 1 3/4l behind Cobbler's Way (11-12) at Leopardstown 2m 4f mdn Yielding in Dec.
Hotel Du Nord (FR) 9-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, ridden after 6th, weakened, trailing and pulled up before 2 out, at Fairyhouse 2m 4f mdn hvy in Nov.
Kargs Post (IRE) 6-1 (12-2) Mid div, chsd ldrs 1/2way, 2nd 5out, in tch 2out, sn no ex & wknd, 5th of 8, 16l behind Mill Race King (12-2) at The Pigeons 3m mdn gd in Oct.
Pat's Pick (IRE) 6-1 (11-12) Mid-division on inner, slight mistake 4th when bumped into rival and stumbled badly on landing, dropped to moderate 9th entering straight, no impression, 7th of 14, dist behind Easywork (11-12) at Gowran Park 2m mdn hvy in Nov.
Pencilfulloflead (IRE) 5-4fav (11-12) Tracked leaders, not fluent 1st and mistake 2nd, slight mistake 4th and briefly pushed along, went 2nd entering straight, ridden 2 out, no impression on winner before last, kept on same pace inside final furlong, 2nd of 21, 10l behind Asterion Forlonge (11-12) at Naas 2m mdn Good - Yielding in Jan.
Stansfield (IRE) 14-1 (12-0) Always towards rear, no impression under 4f out and detached entering straight, no extra, never a factor, 7th of 8, 34 1/4l behind Stattler (11-12) at Fairyhouse 2m hvy in Jan.
Arthurian Fame (IRE) 3-1jfav (11-7) Soon chased leaders, 6th approaching halfway, jumped right 4th, headway and effort straight, soon not much room, one pace final furlong, 4th of 25, 14 1/4l behind Cedarwood Road (11-7) at Leopardstown 2m mdn sft in Dec.
Balthar Boy (IRE) Imperial Monarch gelding out of Rossdara.
Cala Di Volpe (FR) 100-1 (11-9) Settled behind leaders, 6th halfway, ridden 3 out, no impression before next, stayed on run-in to go 4th last strides, 4th of 18, 27l behind Column Of Fire (11-12) at Punchestown 2m 4f mdn Soft - Heavy in Jan.
Get Crackin (IRE) 100-1 (11-10) Soon towards rear, not always fluent jumping, reminders from 3rd, never a factor, 18th of 22, dist behind Le Musigny (11-12) at Punchestown 2m mdn sft in Jan.
Sky Tenor 7-1 (11-6) Pr early, drpd to 9th 1/2way, rdn along bef 3out in 6th, slow jmp 2out & pu sn aftr, at Tattersalls Farm 3m mdn Soft - Heavy in Dec.
Some Can Sing (IRE) 4-1 (11-9) Mid-division, 6th after 6th, progress to 4th after 3 out, weakened before 2 out, 9th of 17, dist behind Eleazar Des Neiges (11-12) at Limerick 2m 3f mdn Soft - Heavy in Dec.
Dilly Filly (IRE) 33-1 (11-1) Held up, clipped heels after 2nd, slight mistake 5th, soon ridden and weakened, 10th of 12, dist behind Russian Diamond (11-10) at Down Royal 2m 1f mdn Soft - Heavy in Dec.
I'm On Snap (IRE) 33-1 (11-1) Mid-division, slight mistake 5th, pushed along and no impression in 6th 2 out, no extra, 7th of 9, 31 1/4l behind Aasleagh Dawn (11-7) at Downpatrick 2m 3f mdn gd in Jul.
Robin Des Sivola (IRE) 6-1 (11-5) Led and disputed, led from 7th, slight mistake 2 out, headed before last and switched left, one pace, 2nd of 23, 7 1/2l behind Ash Hill (11-12) at Punchestown 2m 4f mdn Yielding in Jun.
Will You Win (IRE) 66-1 (11-0) Soon towards rear, no impression over 5f out, 21st of 25, dist behind Front View (11-7) at Punchestown 2m Yielding in Apr.
Eklat De Rire (FR) 8-1 (12-2) Made all, 3l adv aftr 4out, sl adv bef 2out, qcknd best early flat & on top cl hm, won at Dromahane 3m mdn sft in Nov beating Carrig Copper (12-2) by nk, 10 ran.
Exultation (FR) 33-1 (11-12) Waited with, 12th approaching 3rd, no extra from before final hurdle, 13th of 18, dist behind Mt Leinster (11-12) at Leopardstown 2m mdn sft in Dec.
Brandy Harbour 100-1 (11-7) Always behind, no impression from 4f out, tailed off, last of 8, dist behind Appreciate It (11-11) at Leopardstown 2m (1) Yielding in Feb.
Baily Thunder 25-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, 2nd halfway, 4th 4 out, ridden and no extra next, 7th of 14, 35 3/4l behind Arthur's Quay (11-12) at Listowel 2m 4f mdn Yielding in Sep.
Buddy Rich (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Prominent, soon 2nd, not fluent 4th, no extra from before final hurdle, 8th of 18, dist behind Mt Leinster (11-12) at Leopardstown 2m mdn sft in Dec.
Jimli (IRE) 100-1 (11-3) Always behind, never a factor, 20th of 21, dist behind Asterion Forlonge (11-12) at Naas 2m mdn Good - Yielding in Jan.
