tracked leader in 2nd, led from 8th, asserted after 2 out and kept on well run-in
tracked leaders on outer mainly 5th, went 3rd before 4 out, pecked badly on landing next and no impression in moderate 4th 2 out, kept on one pace (reportedly suffered overreach on off fore)
tracked leaders in 3rd, mistake 9th and dropped to rear before 4 out, no extra
led, headed 8th, ridden along early straight and no impression on winner approaching last, kept on one pace
chased leaders, 6th halfway, pushed along in 5th after 4 out and no threat in straight
settled in rear when badly hampered 6th, not recover and pulled up after next
tracked leaders mainly 4th, slight mistake 6th and mistake 4 out, soon ridden and no impression in moderate 3rd 2 out, kept on one pace
settled towards rear when blundered and unseated rider 6th
Quito De La Roque looked an outstanding prospect just over a year ago when beating Sizing Europe at Down Royal but hasn't kicked on from that. He was soon struggling in the Lexus last time and needs to show that he's bounced back. DAYS HOTEL had looked a bit special when slamming subsequent Grade 1 winner Lucky William at Punchestown in November 2011 but wasn't seen again until a Grade 2 at Cork last month where his superb jumping soon had his rivals struggling. With further progress likely he'll take some beating here. Roi Du Mee is doing really well over fences and gained his seventh success when comfortably accounting for Tranquil Sea at Tramore on New Year's Day. He should have no problems confirming the form and also has the edge over Joncol on their run at Punchestown in October.
Quito De La Roque (FR) 33-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders, 2nd halfway, ridden and lost place 5 out, moderate 8th 3 out, no extra, tailed off, 6th of 9, well behind Tidal Bay (11-10) at Leopardstown 3m chs G1 (1) sft in Dec.
Days Hotel (IRE) 4-1 (11-10) Settled behind leaders, 5th halfway, headway into 3rd 3 out, ridden to narrow lead before 2 out, asserted before last, kept on strongly, won at Cork 2m chs Grd 2 (1) sft in Dec beating Realt Dubh (11-12) by 6l, 7 ran.
Rathlin 20-1 (11-3) Chased leaders, led after 6th, clear after 9th, reduced advantage 5 out, headed 4 out, weakening when fell 3 out, in a race won by Colbert Station (10-11) at Leopardstown 3m hcp chs 0-145 sft in Dec, 28 ran.
Roi Du Mee (FR) Evensfav (11-12) Close up and disputed lead, slight mistake 5th, led before 4 out, jumped slightly left 2 out, clear from before last, stayed on strongly run-in, easily, won at Tramore 2m 5f lst chs (1) hvy beating Tranquil Sea (11-9) by 8l, 4 ran.
Tranquil Sea (IRE) 4-1 (11-9) Raced 3rd of the 4, in pursuit of winner from 2 out, no impression from before last, kept on same pace, 2nd of 4, 8l behind Roi Du Mee (11-12) at Tramore 2m 5f lst chs (1) hvy.
Foildubh (IRE) 10-3 (11-10) Tracked leaders in 3rd, went 2nd after 5 out and challenged from 2 out, ridden approaching last, kept on under pressure but not match winner run-in, 2nd of 5, 1/2l behind Call The Police (11-3) at Thurles 2m 2f chs Grade 3 (1).
Joncol (IRE) 8-1 (11-5) Held up in 5th, pushed along 4 out, went 3rd 3 out, kept on steadily to go 2nd inside final furlong, not trouble winner, 2nd of 6, 4 1/2l behind Rule The World (11-12) at Navan 2m 4f nh nov hdl hvy in Dec.
Oscar Time (IRE) 5-1 (11-5) Settled in rear, headway into 3rd after 6 out and 2nd 4 out, 3rd entering straight and no impression approaching last, no extra and dropped to 4th close home, 4th of 6, 10l behind Forpadydeplasterer (11-10) at Thurles 3m chs hvy in Nov.
