tracked leader, closer in 2nd approaching 3 out, led 2 out and asserted approaching last, pushed out and stayed on well run-in
tracked leader, 4th and slight mistake 7th, pushed along and no impression after 4 out, no extra from 2 out
tracked leader, 3rd 4 out and mistake next, pushed along entering straight and no impression after 2 out, no extra
led, slight mistake 6th and 3 lengths lead halfway, mistake 8th, pressed 3 out, slight mistake and headed next, no impression on winner approaching last, no extra
Woodland Opera beat Tombstone to land a Grade 2 in a small field at Punchestown but couldn't make the transition to the highest level at Leopardstown where he never travelled throughout. This is just the trip and ground for A TOI PHIL, who couldn't get close to Bachasson at Tramore but has been performing with credit at a very high level since landing a Grade 2 at Gowran in September. He had the promising Nambour 12l behind when landing a Grade 2 at Punchestown in November 2016 and can get back to winning ways. Arctic Skipper hasn't been out for over a year but has a Grade 2 victory at Navan to his credit though American Tom looks more of a threat. He looked a fine prospect when winning his first two races for Willie Mullins and was found to be coughing after falling at Navan a year ago. He will have needed his comeback at Naas in November and will be spot-on here.
A Toi Phil (FR) 11-4 (11-12) Held up early, 3rd halfway, 2nd before 5 out, pressed leader after 3 out, ridden in 2nd and no impression before 2 out, kept on one pace, 2nd of 4, 13l behind Bachasson (11-9) at Tramore 2m 5f lst (1) hvy in Jan.
Arctic Skipper (IRE) 100-1 (11-10) Led and disputed, headed before 10th, ridden and no extra before 2 out, weakened, 10th of 13, dist behind Outlander (11-10) at Leopardstown 3m (1) Yielding in Dec.
Woodland Opera (IRE) 14-1 (11-12) In rear, not fluent 3 out, chased leaders but no impression from before next, 4th of 6, at Leopardstown 2m 1f (1) Yielding in Dec.
American Tom (FR) 7-4 (11-1) Led, jumped slightly left at times, ridden and joined 2 out, headed approaching last, no extra in 3rd run-in, 3rd of 6, 6 1/2l behind Ball D'arc (11-10) at Naas 2m (1) Soft - Heavy in Nov.
Nambour (GER) 7-2 (11-3) Led, joined 2 out, soon ridden and headed, no impression in 3rd from last, dropped to 4th close home, 4th of 6, 12 1/4l behind A Toi Phil (11-3) at Punchestown 2m 6f (1) sft in Nov.
