mid-division, headway 4 out and 3rd approaching next, no impression after 2 out, no extra before last where slightly hampered, kept on one pace
always towards rear, never a factor, slight mistake 4th, pushed along and no impression after 4 out, no extra from next
chased leaders, mid-division halfway, headway in 4th 3 out, no impression after 2 out and left moderate 2nd after last, kept on one pace
rear of mid-division, slight mistake 2nd, 8th and pushed along after 4 out, no extra from next, never a factor
chased leaders, slight mistake 2nd, 4th halfway, ridden and lost place 4 out, no extra 2 out, kept on one pace
mid-division, pecked 2nd, moderate 5th halfway, no impression 3 out and soon no extra
chased leaders, 3rd halfway, dropped to 5th 3 out and no extra from next
tracked leader, 2nd halfway, pushed along and led between final 2, soon edged right, slight mistake last and left clear, kept on well run-in
rear of mid-division, not fluent 3rd, pushed along and no impression approaching 3 out, no threat in straight, kept on one pace, never a factor
towards rear, pushed along and no impression after 4 out, no threat in straight, never a factor
soon led, ran freely, slight mistake 3rd, pushed along and headed between final 2, soon short of room and switched left, 1 length down when fell last
always towards rear, never a factor, pushed along and no impression after 4 out, soon weakened, completely tailed off
The top five are all penalised for victories on the Flat with Arcland having won on heavy ground at the Curragh earlier this month. Five Helmets, four-times a winner on the level in the UK, attracted support on his hurdling debut at Wexford but was always struggling. Of the remainder, Day Dreamin' won a Leopardstown handicap last month over a mile while GJOUMI won a bumper in France last year before transferring to Willie Mullins. She was thrown into a Grade 3 for her hurdling debut at Fairyhouse in October but didn't impress with her jumping and will need to do much better here. Gua Du Large made a very promising racecourse debut when dead-heating for second just a neck behind the long odds-on Queens Brook at Fairyhouse so he'll ensure the selection doesn't have things his own way.
Arcland (IRE) 6-1 (8-9) Mid-division on inner, 6th 3f out, headway into 3rd 2f out, soon ridden, disputed lead 1f out, led inside final furlong, stayed on well, all out close home, won at Curragh 1m 4f hcp hvy in Nov beating Molly Kaye (9-2) by hd, 14 ran.
Clifftop 13-2 (9-5) Held up towards rear, pushed along 2f out, ridden over 1f out, no impression inside final furlong, 7th of 14, 7l behind Turf Range (8-11) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp pol in Nov.
Five Helmets (IRE) 9-2 (11-9) In rear, slightly hampered at 1st, jumped left at 2nd, mid-division at halfway, weakened from 4 out, 10th of 11, dist behind Hazran (11-4) at Wexford 2m mdn sft in Oct.
Landa Beach (IRE) 50-1 (11-9) Mid-division, no extra after 4 out, weakened, 14th of 20, dist behind Holymacapony (11-9) at Punchestown 2m 4f mdn Soft - Heavy in Nov.
Smeaton (IRE) 28-1 (9-12) Close up, 3rd after halfway, soon effort, no extra over 1f out, 8th of 17, 12 1/2l behind Thefaithfulindian (9-6) at Curragh 1m hcp hvy in Nov.
Appian Way (FR) 12-1 (11-9) Soon close up and disputed lead early, disputed 4th after 4 out, 5th approaching straight, chased leaders and not fluent 2 out, soon no impression, one pace, 3rd of 16, 9 1/2l behind Patience Patience (11-9) at Cork 2m mdn sft in Nov.
Dungans Well (IRE) 150-1 (11-9) Waited with, soon towards rear, slight mistake 4 out and no danger, 11th of 16, dist behind Indiana Jones (11-9) at Cork 2m mdn sft in Nov.
Future Gold (IRE) 40-1 (11-9) Chased leaders, disputed 6th after 3rd and well off pace, moderate 5th approaching straight, one pace, 5th of 16, dist behind Indiana Jones (11-9) at Cork 2m mdn sft in Nov.
Gua Du Large (FR) 10-1 (11-5) Mid-division, improved to 5th halfway, good headway between horses to dispute 2nd at last, kept on well run-in to dead-heat for 2nd, held, 2nd of 16, nk behind Queens Brook (11-7) at Fairyhouse 2m mdn Yielding in Oct.
Killybegs Junior (IRE) 12-1 (11-9) Soon mid-division, disputed 6th and well off pace after 3rd, never a factor, kept on same pace without threatening from before straight, 4th of 16, dist behind Indiana Jones (11-9) at Cork 2m mdn sft in Nov.
Opie Houdini (IRE) 150-1 (11-11) Waited with, 16th after 4th, slight mistake 6th, weakened, completely tailed off, 13th of 20, dist behind Vanillier (12-0) at Naas 2m 3f mdn Soft - Heavy in Nov.
Gjoumi (FR) 16-1 (10-7) Held up in rear, closer on inner after 3 out, switched left and pushed along in 5th approaching last, kept on one pace run-in, 4th of 10, 7 3/4l behind Burning Victory (10-7) at Fairyhouse 2m (1) hvy in Feb.
Frambosin Boy (IRE) 66-1 (11-9) Waited with, not fluent and impeded 1st, unseated rider 2nd, at Cork 2m mdn sft in Nov.
Day Dreamin' (IRE) 10-1 (9-6) Soon chased leaders, 5th before halfway, effort straight, no extra final furlong, 13th of 14, 16 1/2l behind Silver Service (10-0) at Leopardstown 7f hcp Soft - Heavy in Oct.
Ballyrihy Lad (IRE) 66-1 (11-6) Rear of mid-division, mistake 1st, ran freely, mid-division halfway, some headway in 5th after 3 out, ridden and no impression after next, kept on one pace, 6th of 13, 11 3/4l behind Defan (11-6) at Limerick 2m mdn hvy in Nov.
Born Patriot (IRE) 80-1 (11-10) Slight mistake 1st, chased leaders, 5th after 6th, headway and effort straight, slight mistake last and bumped, stayed on well run-in to lead near line, won at Punchestown 2m 6f mdn hvy in Nov beating All About Joe (11-10) by nk, 13 ran.
