made all, 3 lengths clear halfway, pushed along entering straight, strongly pressed and edged left before last, under pressure and kept on well run-in, edged left close home
mid-division, headway into 3rd from 5th, went 2nd before 3 out, challenged when bumped slightly before last, ridden and kept on well run-in, no impression close home
always towards rear, never a factor, pushed along in rear after 4th, detached before 5 out, no extra and pulled up before 3 out
mid-division, 4th 4 out and 3rd next, ridden and no impression in 5th approaching last, no extra run-in
chased leader in 2nd, dropped to 4th at 5th, reminder after 7th, 6th and no impression 3 out, slow next, no extra in straight
chased leader in 3rd, slight mistake 2nd, 6th 6 out, pushed along and no impression after 4 out, no extra in straight
chased leader, 2nd after 3rd, dropped to 4th before 3 out, ridden approaching straight and no impression before last, kept on run-in to go 3rd close home
towards rear, some headway 4 out and 5th next, pushed along and went 3rd approaching last, ridden and no impression run-in
FAKIR D'ALENE galloped his rivals into submission on just his second start over fences at Down Royal. A winner between the flags and over hurdles, chasing looks his game and Rob James' claim is a huge bonus. The Chapel Field is generally a consistent performer over fences though is much better handicapped over hurdles while That's Lifebuoy is usually thereabouts but has difficulty winning. Sean Says got bogged down in the Limerick mud after scoring over 3m here on good going and could give the selection most to think about as Donkey Years' only victory came on heavy ground.
Fakir D'alene (FR) 2-1fav (12-0) Led briefly, chased leader after 1st, disputed from 4th, led 6th, pressed 5 out, asserted before 2 out, soon clear, easily, won at Down Royal 2m 4f sft in Dec beating Now Where Or When (12-0) by 32l, 15 ran.
Donkey Years (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) Rear of mid-division, 11th after 6th, no impression before 2 out, ridden and progress before last, kept on run-in to 5th, no threat, 5th of 16, 17 1/2l behind Teescomponentsyess (11-5) at Limerick 2m 4f hcp hvy in Dec.
Soldier At War (GER) 40-1 (11-13) Mid-division early, 9th at 4th, ridden along 8th, no impression before 3 out where slight mistake, one pace, 10th of 19, 34 1/4l behind Siberian Star (10-4) at Leopardstown 2m 5f hcp Yielding in Dec.
All The Chimneys (IRE) 18-1 (11-4) Mid-division, mistake 5th, 6th halfway, pushed along and headway into 3rd 2 out, ridden and no impression before last, no extra run-in, 6th of 8, 8 1/4l behind Street Value (10-13) at Cork 2m 4f hcp hvy in Jan.
The Chapel Field (IRE) 10-3 (11-3) Disputed lead early, tracked leader and 2nd halfway, 3rd and pushed along approaching straight, no impression from before last, kept on one pace, 3rd of 8, 4l behind Western Sea (10-9) at Thurles 2m 2f hcp gd in Dec.
Sean Says (IRE) 11-1 (12-0) Towards rear, mistake 8th, pushed along and bad mistake 3 out, soon ridden and no extra, 9th of 16, dist behind Regina Dracones (12-0) at Limerick 2m 7f hcp hvy in Dec.
Goodnightngodbless (IRE) 12-1 (10-10) Towards rear for most, slight mistake 6 out, ridden and hampered 2 out, soon no impression, 6th of 10, 28 3/4l behind Lord Lariat (12-1) at Punchestown 2m 7f hcp hvy in Dec.
That's Lifebuoy (IRE) 9-2 (10-2) Rear of mid-division, headway into 4th 5 out, 3rd approaching straight, pushed along and no impression in 5th before 2 out, no extra from before last, kept on one pace, 4th of 10, 21 1/2l behind Rebel Early (10-9) at Cork 2m 4f hcp hvy in Jan.
