chased leaders, 3rd halfway, improved into 2nd after 5 out, ridden to challenge 2 out, pressed leader last, no extra run-in, kept on same pace
chased leaders, improved to close 2nd halfway, led 5 out, challenged 2 out, ridden before last, strongly pressed last, kept on well to assert run-in
held up in last, headway into 4th 4 out, 3rd 3 out, ridden and no impression leaders entering straight, kept on one pace
chased leaders early, 6th halfway, headway into 4th after 5 out, 3rd 4 out, ridden in 4th and slight mistake 3 out, no impression entering straight, kept on one pace
chased leaders, 5th halfway, ridden in 6th after 5 out, no extra before next, weakened and tailed off
chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden in 5th after 5 out, no extra next, weakened and tailed off
led, headed 5 out, ridden in 5th 4 out, no extra and kept on one pace
LUCKY WILLIAM had just over a length to spare when beating Whodoyouthink in a Grade 3 over 2m2f here last month and the runner-up is 3lb better off. Tom Cooper's charge appeared to have a bit in reserve and can confirm the form while completing a hat-trick in the process. Monastrell didn't always impress with his attitude last season but looked a different horse when scoring at Naas last month. He's definitely on the upgrade and looks certain to go well. Days Hotel looked one to follow when slamming his rivals on heavy ground over the C&D last month and must be a threat, while neither Delphi Mountain nor Imperial Shabra can be ruled out in a fascinating contest.
Lucky William (IRE) 9-2 (11-1) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, 3rd 4 out, improved to challenge 2 out, ridden to narrow lead last, kept on well run-in, won at Punchestown 2m 2f nov chs (1) in Oct beating Whodoyouthink (11-1) by 1 1/4l, 9 ran.
Days Hotel (IRE) 7-2 (11-12) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, 2nd after 4 out, challenged 3 out, led next, ridden and kept on well from before last, won at Punchestown 2m beg chs hvy in Oct beating Nearest The Pin (11-12) by 10l, 11 ran.
Delphi Mountain (IRE) 16-1 (11-6) Blundered 1st, in rear, mistake 3rd, lost touch 5th, fell next, in a race won by Al Ferof (11-2) at Cheltenham 2m nov chs Grade 2 (1) gs, 7 ran.
Foildubh (IRE) 7-1 (10-9) In rear, slight mistake 6th, 3rd 5 out, mistake 2 out, kept on under pressure run-in to snatch 2nd on line, 2nd of 4, 7l behind Quel Esprit (11-6) at Naas 2m 3f chs.
Imperial Shabra (IRE) 20-1 (10-2) Led early, headed 4th and soon dropped to 3rd, rear from 5 out and lost touch entering straight, last of 4, 44l behind Quel Esprit (11-6) at Naas 2m 3f chs.
Monastrell 6-1 (11-12) Always prominent, led briefly before 3rd, 3rd approaching straight, 2nd 2 out, kept on well under pressure run-in to lead closing stages, won at Naas 2m beg chs hvy in Oct beating Far Away So Close (11-12) by 3/4l, 13 ran.
Whodoyouthink (IRE) 9-1 (11-1) Led and disputed, ridden in 2nd 3 out, led entering straight, challenged 2 out, narrowly headed last, no extra run-in, kept on same pace, 2nd of 9, 1 1/4l behind Lucky William (11-1) at Punchestown 2m 2f nov chs (1) in Oct.
