always prominent, disputed briefly 3rd, 2nd halfway, led 3 out, pushed along and headed early straight, no impression on winner before last, no extra run-in
rear of mid-division, slightly hampered 4th, headway on inner before 4 out, 4th 3 out, pecked badly and unseated rider next
tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, pushed along after 4 out and went 2nd after next, ridden after 2 out, 5th and no impression approaching last where slow, no extra
mid-division, 6th halfway, headway to track leaders before 3 out, 4th 2 out, 3rd and pushed along approaching last where bad mistake, kept on one pace run-in
tracked leaders, 4th halfway, closer 3 out and pushed along to lead early straight, ridden and kept on well run-in
towards rear, slightly hampered 4th, slight mistake 10th, closer 3 out, pushed along and no impression after 2 out, moderate 6th and slight mistake last, no extra
rear of mid-division, 8th halfway, headway into 5th after 2 out, pushed along and went 2nd early run-in, kept on one pace
tracked leaders, 5th when fell 4th
mid-division, 7th halfway, pushed along after 3 out and hampered next, 7th and no impression approaching last, kept on one pace run-in
mid-division, 5th halfway, pushed along and dropped towards rear after 3 out, no extra
held up and took keen hold early, always towards rear, slight mistake 2nd and hampered 4th, closer 6 out, pushed along and no extra after 3 out
led, joined briefly 3rd, headed 3 out, pushed along and dropped to 5th next, soon no extra
rear of mid-division, brought down 4th
THE BIG DOG isn't the most consistent but was heavily supported when winning this a year ago and can stage a repeat despite being 8lb higher. His rider lost his irons in the Welsh National last time so that can be ignored. Floueur is lightly-raced and makes his handicap debut after scoring over 2m5f at Fairyhouse. He may prove best of Gordon Elliott's quartet but Stones And Roses looks more of a threat. Willie Mullins' charge scored over 3m1f here in December 2020 and ran well from 13lb higher on his reappearance at Fairyhouse in November. He was in touch when falling in the Paddy Power and looks on a fair mark. Champagne Platinum pulled up in the latter event before a surprise victory in a Navan beginners' chase. Doctor Duffy has a touch off class and reverts to fences after a spell hurdling while The Dabbler showed his liking for a stamina test when runner-up over 3m5f at Fairyhouse.
Coko Beach (FR) 16-1 (10-11) Prominent, led from 11th, ridden and headed 3 out, 5th and mistake 2 out, no impression, 6th of 18, 19 1/2l behind Longhouse Poet (10-9) at Gowran Park 3m 1f hcp sft in Jan.
Doctor Duffy (IRE) 66-1 (11-0) Chased leader, 8th before 6th, 6th after 3 out, soon stumbled and lost place, effort after 2 out, ridden and kept on same pace run-in, 8th of 27, 12 3/4l behind Panda Boy (10-9) at Leopardstown 3m hcp sft in Dec.
The Big Dog (IRE) 11-1 (10-7) Mid-division, bad mistake 9th, soon pulled up, at Chepstow 3m 7f hcp (1) sft in Dec.
Floueur (FR) 7-1 (12-0) Settled behind leaders, 6th halfway, closer in 4th 3 out, ridden to dispute entering straight, narrowly headed after 2 out, led before last, bad mistake last and strongly pressed, kept on well under pressure run-in, won at Fairyhouse 2m 5f Good - Yielding in Jan beating Frontal Assault (12-0) by 1/2l, 16 ran.
Death Duty (IRE) 12-1 (10-3) Mid-division, 10th 4 out, soon ridden and no impression, 7th of 18, 22 3/4l behind Longhouse Poet (10-9) at Gowran Park 3m 1f hcp sft in Jan.
Alfa Mix 13-2 (10-12) Mid-division, hampered 1st, closer after 3 out and 9th next, soon pushed along and no extra entering straight, weakened, 11th of 28, dist behind School Boy Hours (10-8) at Leopardstown 3m hcp Good - Yielding in Dec.
Champagne Platinum (IRE) 14-1 (12-0) In touch in rear, slow at 1st, hampered 3rd, closer in 5th at halfway, mistake 11th, slightly hampered next, closer in 3rd 4 out, 2nd next, ridden in 2nd 2 out, not fluent at last, stayed on strongly to lead near line, won at Navan 3m Yielding in Jan beating Ain't That A Shame (12-0) by nk, 9 ran.
Brace Yourself (IRE) 9-1 (11-1) Waited with, soon towards rear, pulled up before 7th, at Punchestown 3m 7f hcp Good - Yielding in May.
Stones And Roses (IRE) 28-1 (10-9) Chased leader, closer after 6th, 4th when mistake and unseated rider 9th, at Leopardstown 3m hcp Good - Yielding in Dec.
Torygraph (IRE) 5-1 (12-0) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, slight mistake 4 out, ridden 3 out, slight mistake 2 out where left 2nd and hampered, soon under pressure in 3rd, no extra before last, went left and slow last, 3rd of 11, 36l behind En Beton (12-0) at Punchestown 2m 7f hvy in Dec.
Jimmil (IRE) 33-1 (10-10) Prominent, slight mistake 1st and soon chased leaders, 6th halfway, ridden and no extra after 3 out, behind when pulled up before next, at Limerick 2m 4f hcp hvy in Dec.
Notice To Close 25-1 (12-2) Chased leaders, pulled up quickly after 8th, at Punchestown 3m 2f hcp Yielding - Soft in Dec.
The Dabbler (IRE) 11-2 (9-12) Rear of mid-division, progress after 13th, not fluent at 15th, 6th after 18th, headway and closed after 3 out, travelled well to lead before last where headed, no impression on winner run-in, 2nd of 11, 3l behind Smoking Gun (10-4) at Fairyhouse 3m 5f hcp gd in Nov.
