chased leaders, 7th 5 out, soon no extra, behind when pulled up before 2 out
prominent, 3rd on outer 5 out, 5th approaching 3 out, soon no extra
never a factor
prominent on inner, 4th when fell at 7th
chased leaders, 4th 7 out, no extra from 5 out, behind when pulled up before 2 out
held up towards rear, headway from halfway, 5th 4 out, moderate 4th after next, kept on one pace
always prominent on inner, 2nd when mistake 4 out, 3rd and no impression on leader after 3 out, moderate 2nd after 2 out, kept on one pace
always towards rear, pulled up before 2 out
always behind, pulled up before 2 out
chased leaders, 4th 5 out, 6th and no impression approaching 3 out, kept on one pace in straight
never a factor, behind when pulled up before 2 out
rear of mid-division, headway on outer 5 out, 4th 4 out, soon no extra
mid-division, in touch when pulled up quickly before 4 out, dismounted
prominent, 3rd 7 out, dropped to 8th approaching 4 out, soon no extra
held up towards rear, headway 5 out, went 7th after 4 out, no impression from next
mid-division, mistake 5th, blundered and unseated rider 6 out
made all, driven clear from 3 out, stayed on well
held up towards rear, headway into 7th 4 out, good progress on inner to go 2nd 3 out, no impression on leader when jumped badly right 2 out, 3rd and kept on one pace from before last
Nicanor had just over a length to spare over Deal Done on the same terms at Navan in February and though he's pulled up twice subsequently there were extenuating circumstances on both occasions. Everything below the consistent Wins Now is out of the handicap and this is tough enough with the top weights Copper Bleu and QUISCOVER FONTAINE in blistering form. The latter found the opposition too quick for him in the Arkle at Cheltenham but was going on at the finish and will find this trip ideal. His yard is in outstanding form but that remark also applies to Philip Hobbs, whose Copper Bleu scored over hurdles at the meeting a year ago and has done brilliantly over fences with a tremendous effort in the Jewson on his latest start the highlight. Kangaroo Court fell at the first at Ayr but had also performed with credit in the Arkle so shouldn't be underestimated.
Copper Bleu (IRE) 12-1 (11-1) Mid-division on inside, headway 12th, went 3rd after 3 out, led next, ridden and edged right under pressure flat, kept on, won at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov Listed hcp hdl (1) gs in Mar beating Othermix (11-0) by 3 1/2l, 20 ran.
Quiscover Fontaine (FR) 22-1 (11-7) Mid-division on outside, outpaced 3 out, soon beaten, 6th of 12, 14l behind Sizing Europe (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m nov chs G1 (1) gs in Mar.
Shakervilz (FR) 3-1fav (11-10) Slight mistake 1st, not fluent early, mid-division, 7th halfway, ridden into moderate 6th entering straight, left 5th 3 out, under pressure in moderate 4th when hampered and unseated rider last, remounted to finish 3rd, 3rd of 10, 43l behind Jadanli (11-10) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f nov chs G1 hvy.
Kangaroo Court (IRE) 9-4 (11-4) Held up in rear, fell 1st, in a race won by French Opera (11-7) at Ayr 2m 4f nov chs G2 (1) gd, 5 ran.
Deal Done (FR) 20-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, moderate 4th halfway, closed 5 out, ridden and no impression before straight, moderate 4th 2 out, 3rd approaching last, left moderate 2nd, kept on one pace, 2nd of 10, 23l behind Jadanli (11-10) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f nov chs G1 hvy.
Nicanor (FR) 16-1 (11-10) Always towards rear, no impression before 4 out, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Jadanli (11-10) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f nov chs G1 hvy, 10 ran.
Lucky Wish 33-1 (11-10) Led and disputed, 3rd 4 out, ridden in 6th 3 out, no extra approaching next, weakened and tailed off, 8th of 9, well behind Pandorama (11-10) at Leopardstown 3m nov chs Grade 1 (4yo+) in Dec.
Swift Counsel (IRE) 8-1 (10-10) Tracked leaders, 4th from 5 out, progress into 2nd before 3 out, in touch under pressure when blundered and unseated rider 2 out, in a race won by Psycho (10-9) at Fairyhouse 2m 1f nov chs hvy, 9 ran.
Fisher Bridge (IRE) 12-1 (10-9) Held up in touch, 5th 4 out, no extra after 3 out, left remote 5th from 2 out, 5th of 9, well behind Psycho (10-9) at Fairyhouse 2m 1f nov chs hvy.
Tally Em Up (IRE) 6-1 (11-7) Held up in touch, 5th 5 out, left close 3rd next, left 2nd 3 out, soon ridden, no impression when mistake last, 2nd of 8, 8l behind Shuil Aris (10-11) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f 5yo mrs chs hvy.
Wins Now 5-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, mainly 4th, challenged and disputed lead 2 out, soon headed and no impression under pressure, kept on same pace, 2nd of 6, 3l behind Archie Boy (11-8) at Tipperary 2m 4f nov chs gf in Oct.
Fort George (IRE) 7-2 (11-12) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, improved to lead 3 out, fell next, in a race won by Noble Concorde (11-12) at Fairyhouse 2m 6f beg chase hvy, 12 ran.
Native Clan (FR) 3-1 (10-3) Tracked leaders in 3rd, slight mistake 4 out, 4th and no impression next, left moderate 2nd from 2 out, 2nd of 9, 7l behind Psycho (10-9) at Fairyhouse 2m 1f nov chs hvy.
Sarteano (FR) 16-1 (10-3) Tracked leaders in 4th, bad mistake 6 out, no extra after next, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Psycho (10-9) at Fairyhouse 2m 1f nov chs hvy, 9 ran.
Askthemaster (IRE) 14-1 (9-10) Soon mid-division, progress into 3rd entering straight, no impression under pressure and kept on same pace from after last, 5th of 28, 12l behind Oscar Time (10-3) at Leopardstown 3m hcp chs 0-145 in Dec.
Got Attitude (IRE) 14-1 (11-5) Mid-division, progress into 4th 5 out, disputed lead 4 out, headed and dropped to 4th approaching 2 out, weakened, 9th of 20, 44l behind Saddlers Storm (10-9) at Navan 3m nov chs in Mar.
Chasing Cars (IRE) 50-1 (11-4) Held up in rear, not fluent 3rd, hit 14th, same postion in touch before 3 out, soon shaken up and weakened, 7th of 9, 44l behind Weapon's Amnesty (11-4) at Cheltenham 3m nov chs G1 (1) gd in Mar.
Otay Kawn (IRE) 7-2 (11-12) Chased leaders, closed after 4 out, moderate 3rd before straight, chased winner 2 out, ridden to have every chance and on terms run-in, not match winner and just headed on line, 2nd of 12, nk behind Got Attitude (11-12) at Gowran Park 2m beg chase sft in Mar.
Lord Cebellino (IRE) 2-1fav (11-9) Led, disputed from halfway, ridden and headed before last, no extra and weakened, 10th of 13, well behind Molly's Boy (11-0) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f Novice Handicap Hurdle (80-102) (4yo+) in Feb.