in rear, some headway but no impression approaching 3 out, moderate 6th approaching straight, kept on same pace without threatening
tracked leaders, 4th from 6th, 5th approaching 2 out, soon left 3rd, challenged before last, every chance run-in, kept on without quite matching winner
tracked leaders, 3rd from 6th, on terms on outer at 8th, soon led, went on when bad mistake 2 out and headed and dropped to 4th, no extra when left 3rd and jumped left last
held up, 8th from 6th, some headway 11th, mistake 12th, no impression approaching 3 out
chased leaders, slightly slow 2nd, tight for room briefly after 3rd, 7th from 6th where slightly slow, slightly slow 12th, went 4th approaching 2 out, soon left in lead, just headed before last where fell
prominent, on terms 4th, headed approaching 11th, lost place and slightly slow 13th, soon reminders and no extra, pulled up before 2 out
led, joined 4th, pushed along briefly 9th, soon headed and weakened, pulled up before 3 out
prominent, not fluent 6th, soon raced in 5th until closed next, slightly slow 13th, pushed along approaching 3 out, dropped to moderate 5th approaching straight and no impression, weakened
chased leaders, 6th from 6th, went 2nd approaching 2 out where left in lead briefly, soon 2nd again until led narrowly before last, strongly pressed and stayed on best run-in
As De Pique's last victory was from this mark in October 2016 but he's failed to complete his last four starts and was struggling when falling here last time. ROUTES CHOICE also fell on his last visit here but he's gone well subsequently on testing ground and can get back on the winning trail. Swingbridge completed a hat-trick in August and has continued to run well over hurdles and fences though is better handicapped over the smaller obstacles. Une Lavandiere needs a very stiff test of stamina which she should get here though she was 12 lengths behind Capture The Drama at Fairyhouse on New Year's Day. The winner has since run very poorly in two starts over hurdles, the latest on Saturday. Inch Rise has only had four runs over fences ,though did a bit better at Cork earlier this month, but Oscar Lantern makes too many mistakes.
As De Pique (IRE) 25-1 (11-8) In rear, mistake 3rd, some headway after 4 out, pushed along in 8th when fell 2 out, at Punchestown 3m 1f hcp Soft - Heavy in Jan.
Routes Choice (IRE) 13-2 (11-6) Always prominent, reminder 2nd, 3rd from 6th, on terms before 8th, headed before 10th where slight mistake, soon reminder, led 3 out, jumped slightly right 2 out, headed last, kept on same pace run-in, 2nd of 9, 7 1/2l behind Smokey Joe Joe (11-9) at Cork 2m 4f hcp hvy in Jan.
Swingbridge (IRE) 8-1 (11-6) Held up, 10th before 4th, slight mistake 5th, progress from 8th, moderate 5th approaching straight, chased leaders and not fluent last, kept on well without reaching winner run-in, 2nd of 17, 2 1/2l behind Wee Small Hours (11-0) at Navan 2m 4f hcp hvy in Jan.
Tyrrell's Succes (FR) 16-1 (11-7) Mid-division early, 9th after 3rd, 7th approaching 6th, effort from before straight, one pace 1f out, 7th of 19, 16l behind Spider Web (10-7) at Leopardstown 2m 5f hcp Yielding - Soft in Dec.
Une Lavandiere (FR) 13-2 (11-3) Tracked leaders, bad mistake 4 out, ridden in 6th after next, 5th 2 out, no impression, 4th of 12, 12 1/2l behind Capture The Drama (10-5) at Fairyhouse 3m 1f hcp hvy in Jan.
Freewheelin Dylan (IRE) 20-1 (11-5) Held up, 17th after 3rd, last approaching 6th, reminders 9th, no danger from before final fence, 14th of 19, dist behind Spider Web (10-7) at Leopardstown 2m 5f hcp Yielding - Soft in Dec.
Capture The Drama (IRE) 20-1 (11-7) Led, ridden and headed before 3 out, soon weakened quickly, pulled up before 2 out, at Fairyhouse 3m hcp hvy in Jan.
Inch Rise (IRE) 4-1jfav (10-10) Chased leaders, 6th from 6th, closed to dispute 3rd before straight, one pace from before last, 3rd of 9, 10 1/4l behind Smokey Joe Joe (11-9) at Cork 2m 4f hcp hvy in Jan.
Oscar Lantern (IRE) 5-1 (10-2) Mid-division, 5th halfway, headway approaching straight, 4th and slight mistake 2 out, no impression approaching last where badly hampered, ridden and no extra run-in, 4th of 11, 10 1/4l behind Kopookris (10-9) at Thurles 2m 6f hcp hvy in Jan.
