soon raced in 2nd, slight mistake 4th, a little slow at 6th, soon 3rd, 2nd again approaching 4 out, pushed along and on terms approaching straight, soon led, narrowly headed after last, slightly impeded, kept on well without quite matching winner
in rear, pushed along 2nd, pushed along again briefly after 8th, under pressure and no extra from before 3 out where slight mistake
soon raced in 5th, closed up from 8th, soon 4th, 3rd approaching 4 out, 4th again into straight, slight mistake 2 out, no extra and one pace after
led, pressed and joined approaching straight, soon headed, no extra and one pace from after 2 out
soon raced in 3rd, not always fluent jumping, lost position from 8th, last and not fluent 4 out, pulled up before 3 out
soon raced in 4th, closed up from 8th to be prominent, lost position approaching 4 out, effort again and 3rd into straight, challenged in 2nd and slight mistake 2 out, gained narrow lead after last, edged slightly right, stayed on well
BLOW BY BLOW (NAP), last season's Martin Pipe winner, didn't have much to beat on his chasing bow at Galway and kept coming on and off the bridle but he's a powerful staying type who will be better suited by a likely stronger gallop and looks a smart prospect. His stable companion Cubomania has won four times over fences and once on the Flat since August including at Cheltenham last time so has to be kept on the right side before the winter ground arrives. Nick Lost started his winning run over hurdles in May before facile victories in two minor events over fences though was beaten when long odds-on at Killarney. Willie Mullins runs Orion D'Aubrelle, who defied mistakes to score over this trip at Listowel, and Some Neck, another who hasn't looked the best of jumpers.
Blow By Blow (IRE) 4-7fav (11-12) Led, clear before 3rd where jumped left, slightly impeded by loose horse and reduced advantage before 6th, asserted before 8th, jumped left at 10th, clear 3 out, kept on well after last, easily, won at Galway 2m 7f sft in Oct beating Touch Base (11-12) by 17l, 9 ran.
Cap D'Aubois (FR) 8-1 (10-9) Led, slight mistake 3rd, ridden and joined after 3 out, headed entering straight, no extra in rear 2 out, kept on one pace, 4th of 5, 12l behind Peregrine Run (11-4) at Wexford 2m 7f lst (1) Yielding in Oct.
Cubomania (IRE) 10-3 (11-11) Held up in last, hit 7th, left 3rd when hampered 4 out, pressed for 2nd going well 3 out, led 2 out, driven and stayed on well flat, won at Cheltenham 2m 4f (2) gs in Oct beating Monbeg Legend (11-11) by 2 3/4l, 4 ran.
Nick Lost (FR) 4-9fav (11-12) Tracked leader in 2nd, led after 1st, 3 lengths clear at 4th, reduced advantage 3 out, ridden after 2 out, headed before last, no impression on winner run-in, 2nd of 4, 6l behind The Last Marju (11-8) at Killarney 2m 4f gd in Aug.
Orion D'Aubrelle (FR) 8-1 (11-12) Mid-division early, improved on outer to challenge 2 out and on terms, soon led, stayed on well run-in, won at Listowel 2m 6f sft in Sep beating Its All Guesswork (11-12) by 1 1/4l, 13 ran.
Some Neck (FR) 8-1 (10-8) Mid-division early, pushed along briefly 2nd, 8th at 6th, slight mistake 8th, 9th at 12th, effort and slight mistake 3 out, soon one pace, 6th of 11, 10 1/4l behind Icantsay (9-10) at Killarney 3m 2f hcp gd in May.
