reduced visibility, tracked leaders, dropped to 8th 3 out, soon no extra and pulled up
reduced visibility, never better than mid-division
reduced visibility, tracked leaders, close up 4 out, every chance when fell last
reduced visibility, waited with, closer in 4th 3 out, in front before last, stayed on well to draw clear run-in, comfortably
reduced visibility, always towards rear
reduced visibility, always prominent, slow jump 6th, 2nd 3 out, in front approaching next, headed and no impression from before last
reduced visibility, never better than mid-division
reduced visibility, mid-division, squeezed for room after 7 out, 7th 3 out, no impression and kept on same pace from before next
reduced visibility, led, headed 4 out, 6th next, soon no impression
reduced visiblity, towards rear for most, no extra 3 out, soon pulled up
reduced visibility, soon prominent until fell 4 out
reduced visibility, mid-division, 5th 3 out, kept on without threatening under pressure from before last
reduced visiblity, always prominent, in front 3 out, headed approaching next, no impression and kept on same pace from before last
The former French-trained RAPTOR made a winning start in a Punchestown maiden hurdle for Willie Mullins but was probably just biding his time before taking on the bigger obstacles. He faces stiff opposition from the debut-making Donnas Palm, a classy hurdler who was in tremendous form at this time last year, but looks a nice prospect. Gates Of Rome has been taking on strong company over fences though he's been a little disappointing since his second to Realt Dubh at Punchestown in November. Byerley Bear ran very well on his chasing bow at Gowran and will have come on a great deal for the experience, while Son Of Oscar and Big Game Hunter have also shown enough ability to be winning soon.
Arch Rebel (USA) 12-1 (11-12) Mid-division on outer, moderate 6th 4 out, no impression from next, 5th of 14, 40l behind Regal D'estruval (11-12) at Tramore 2m beg chs.
Benash (IRE) 7-2 (11-12) Chased leaders, well off pace, closed from 4 out, 5th before straight, 4th before 3 out, soon no impression, pulled up quickly before last, in a race won by Domination (11-0) at Roscommon 2m 4f hdl in Jun, 9 ran.
Byerley Bear (IRE) 5-2 (11-12) Slow jump 1st and soon in rear until good headway to chase winner from before 5th, closed 3 out, soon challenged, struggling when switched before last, kept on without matching winner run-in, 2nd of 5, 1 1/2l behind Westmeath (11-12) at Gowran Park 2m 2f beg chs sft.
Donnas Palm (IRE) 13-8 (11-12) Chased leaders in 3rd, 2nd after 5th, improved to lead 3 out, ridden and challenged 2 out, soon headed, no extra before last, kept on same pace, 2nd of 6, 12l behind Pittoni (11-12) at Naas 2m 3f hdl.
Drop Anchor (IRE) 10-1 (10-12) Waited with in rear of mid-division, closed 5 out, 6th after 3 out, no extra and kept on same pace straight, 6th of 14, well behind Loughnagall (10-12) at Clonmel 3m Handicap Hurdle (80-109) (5yo+) in Sep.
Gates Of Rome (IRE) 16-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, 4th approaching 4 out where slight mistake, left 3rd from next, soon no impression and kept on same pace, 3rd of 8, 6l behind De Valira (11-12) at Cork 2m 4f nov chs.
Go On Ya Boyo 8-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, bad mistake 4th, 6th 3 out, no extra from next, last of 10, 38l behind Major Harry (10-2) at Ballinrobe 2m hcp hdl 80-109 gs in Jul.
Mackeys Forge (IRE) 11-2 (11-1) Led, ridden and headed early straight, no extra before last, 4th of 5, 12l behind Steps To Freedom (10-11) at Punchestown 2m hdl Grd 3 (1).
Raptor (FR) 7-1 (11-3) Rear of mid-division, 8th 4 out, ridden in 5th after 2 out, soon no impression, no extra from before last, 6th of 16, 16l behind Askanna (11-1) at Punchestown 3m nov hdl G2 (1) gd in May.
Son Of Oscar (IRE) 11-2 (11-12) Well off pace towards rear, moderate 8th approaching 6th, hampered 4 out, pulled up before next, in a race won by Lucky William (11-12) at Listowel 2m beg chs hvy in Sep, 10 ran.
Uncle Taffy (IRE) 9-2 (11-12) Rear of mid-division, no impression from 3 out, never a factor, 6th of 14, well behind Regal D'estruval (11-12) at Tramore 2m beg chs.
Wilde Wit Pleasure (IRE) 14-1 (11-3) Mid-division, 11th approaching 6 out, soon no impression and weakened, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Salesin (11-5) at Cork 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-140 gd in Apr, 13 ran.
Big Game Hunter (IRE) 16-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, moderate 5th approaching 4 out, no impression under pressure and kept on same pace without threatening straight, 4th of 16, 7l behind Rivage d'or (11-12) at Thurles 2m 6f beg chs gd.
Headford Flyer (IRE) 16-1 (10-11) Towards rear for most, no extra approaching straight, last of 8, 44l behind Double Seven (11-6) at Tipperary 2m 4f hcp hdl sft.
Salute Him (IRE) 5-2 (11-12) Keen hold and held up last of the 4, niggled along from before straight, soon struggling and kept on same pace, last of 4, 4 1/2l behind Plan A (11-8) at Listowel 2m hdl sft in Sep.
Far Away So Close (IRE) 8-11fav (11-12) Slow jump 1st, prominent, led 6th, slow jumps 7 out and next, still travelling okay but headed before straight, under pressure but still every chance when fell 2 out, in a race won by False Economy (11-12) at Limerick 2m 3f beg chs, 15 ran.
Nearest The Pin (IRE) 5-4fav (11-12) Mid-division, 7th halfway, headway into 5th 3 out, ridden into 3rd entering straight, 2nd and no impression leader before last where mistake, kept on same pace, 2nd of 11, 10l behind Days Hotel (11-12) at Punchestown 2m beg chs hvy.
Rattan (USA) 9-2 (11-12) Chased leaders, moderate 6th 5 out, no impression and kept on same pace from before next, 7th of 16, 20l behind Rivage d'or (11-12) at Thurles 2m 6f beg chs gd.
