disputed early, 2nd halfway, ridden after 2 out, soon no impression on winner, kept on one pace
mid-division for most and well off pace, distant 4th entering straight, kept on one pace
led and disputed, led halfway, slightly awkward 2 out, soon asserted, clear entering straight, very easily
mid-division best, always well off pace, never a factor
settled behind leaders, soon moderate 3rd, dropped off leaders halfway, no extra in distant 6th when fell 3 out
towards rear for most, never a factor
always towards rear, never a factor
held up towards rear, no impression from halfway, distant 6th after 3 out, kept on one pace
held up behind leaders, moderate 5th halfway, no impression in distant 3rd entering straight, kept on one pace
held up early, moderate 4th halfway, no impression in distant 3rd 3 out, no extra entering straight
Embrun Mitja, a winner on the Flat in France, made a successful hurdling debut for Henry De Bromhead in 2018. He had a very long absence before returning in November and made the smart Capodanno pull out the stops at Naas in December. The winner's yard is represented by GENTLEMAN DE MEE, who has come up against two very useful stablemates in his races over fences, overcoming mistakes to finish runner-up at Leopardstown in December. A slicker round can see him add to his success over hurdles. Kingston Kid improved massively when stepped up markedly in trip over hurdles so could find this on the short side while Nazine, who ran a cracking race in a Leopardstown handicap hurdle in December, only got as far as the fourth on his chasing bow at Gowran.
Embrun Mitja (FR) 18-1 (12-0) Soon led, slight mistake 3rd, joined briefly 2 out, pushed along approaching last where pecked, ridden and kept on run-in, headed close home, 2nd of 15, 1 1/4l behind Capodanno (12-0) at Naas 2m 3f Yielding in Dec.
For Everyone (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) Always towards rear, never a factor, no threat after 4 out, kept on one pace from 2 out, 10th of 15, 26 1/4l behind Light Brigade (11-6) at Thurles 1m 7f hcp Good - Yielding in Jan.
Gentleman De Mee (FR) 5-1 (12-0) Chased leader, mistake 2nd, 3rd halfway and closer 4 out, slight mistake 2 out, went 2nd before last where jumped left, no impression on winner run-in, kept on one pace, 2nd of 7, 5 1/2l behind Haut En Couleurs (11-8) at Leopardstown 2m 1f Good - Yielding in Dec.
Kilcasey Gold (IRE) 250-1 (12-0) Mid-division best, dropped towards rear halfway, soon no impression, 12th of 16, dist behind Floueur (12-0) at Fairyhouse 2m 5f Good - Yielding in Jan.
Saint Rhue (IRE) 33-1 (12-2) Towards rear, soon rear of mid-division, 4th halfway, dropped to rear and ridden over 2f out, weakened under 2f out, last of 6, dist behind Redemption Day (12-2) at Leopardstown 2m sft in Dec.
Soloman Lane 80-1 (11-6) Held up in rear, moderate 5th 4 out, slow at next, soon ridden and weakened, completely tailed off, 4th of 8, dist behind Where It All Began (11-6) at Tramore 2m 5f mdn hvy in Jan.
Kingston Kid (IRE) 10-1 (11-11) Chased leaders, 8th halfway, headway into 5th after 4 out, pushed along before 2 out and 4th entering straight, 2nd and ridden approaching last, 3rd and no impression run-in, 3rd of 22, 4 1/2l behind Salmanino (11-11) at Punchestown 3m hcp sft in Jan.
Nazine (IRE) 7-1 (11-10) Rear of mid-division on outer, bad mistake and unseated rider at 4th, at Gowran Park 2m sft in Jan.
Quarry Lil (IRE) 33-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders, 4th approaching halfway, weakened from 4 out, soon pulled up, at Limerick 2m 4f hcp hvy in Dec.
Dreamsrmadeofthis (IRE) 15-2 (10-8) Prominent early, not fluent 1st, 3rd halfway, dropped to 7th 3 out, pushed along and no impression early straight, soon no extra, 11th of 15, 30 1/2l behind Light Brigade (11-6) at Thurles 1m 7f hcp Good - Yielding in Jan.
Carrigeen Castle (IRE) 80-1 (12-0) Mid-division early, moderate 5th halfway, ridden and no impression before 3 out, no extra 2 out, 10th of 19, dist behind Hiaou (12-0) at Punchestown 2m mdn sft in Jan.
