raced 4th, 3rd halfway, 2nd at 11th, 3rd 3 out, soon driven and dropped to 4th, no extra, fell at last
led, not fluent 4th and 10th, 3 lengths clear 3 out, reduced lead 2 out, soon ridden to assert, awkward at last, driven out
held up in rear, fell 6th
ran 5th, 4th at 10th, improved to 2nd 3 out, closer in 2nd 2 out, ridden and kept on one pace
tracked leader in 2nd, 3rd at 11th, not fluent 3 out, dropped to 4th and pushed along, driven into 3rd 2 out, no impression
settled 3rd, 4th halfway, pushed along and dropped to rear before 10th, pulled up after 11th
MARITO won this last year by 3l from Roi Du Mee but hasn't been seen under Rules subsequently and has changed stables. He showed his wellbeing with an impressive victory between the flags at Kirkistown and his new handler will have him spot-on so he's taken to complete the double. Roi Du Mee hasn't been in the best of form though in better company while Turban, who had looked progressive last season, was a big disappointment when last of four on his reappearance at Haydock. Aupcharlie has been running well in tough handicaps while Foildubh will have found the minimum trip too short at Cork and this is more like his distance. Rathlin would need a return to his very best to get involved but isn't out of this tricky contest.
Rathlin 33-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden to challenge 3 out, no extra before 2 out, 9th of 23, 27l behind Lite Duties (10-6) at Navan 2m 4f hcp hdl in Dec.
Roi Du Mee (FR) 25-1 (11-12) Led, disputed 6th, headed before 6 out, 3rd and slight mistake 5 out, ridden along in 4th after 4 out, stayed on to challenge again before straight, no extra in 4th before 2 out, kept on one pace, 4th of 7, 13l behind Champagne Fever (11-1) at Clonmel 2m 4f chs Grd 2 (1) hvy in Nov.
Turban (FR) 4-5fav (11-7) In rear and in touch in 4th, went 3rd and held before 3 out, weakened before next, last of 4, 23l behind Third Intention (11-7) at Haydock 2m grad ch (2) sft in Nov.
Marito (GER) Evens (12-2) Tr ldr, 2nd 1/2way, drpd to 3rd at 9th, closer order 5out, gng well in 3rd 3out, 2nd 2out, wo str, easily, won at Kirkistown 3m ire ptp sft in Nov beating Oscar Barton (11-6) by 8l, 5 ran.
Aupcharlie (IRE) 13-2 (11-5) Chased leaders, 6th halfway, progress into 3rd 3 out, soon ridden, no extra before last, kept on one pace, 3rd of 13, 16l behind Mount Colah (11-2) at Navan 2m 4f hcap ch in Dec.
Foildubh (IRE) 20-1 (11-4) Mid-division, ridden entering straight, dropped to rear 3 out, soon no impression, 6th of 10, 33l behind Felix Yonger (11-10) at Cork 2m chs Grd 2 (1) in Dec.
