settled behind leaders, 4th halfway, ridden towards rear 4 out, no extra next, weakened and pulled up before 2 out
chased leader, 2nd halfway, pushed along after 5th and reminder, pushed along intermittently from halfway, ridden and no extra 3 out, soon weakened, pulled up before last
settled behind leaders, 3rd and mistake at 7th, disputed next, left in lead 3 out, joined before straight, ridden in 2nd before 2 out, no impression on winner before last, kept on one pace
towards rear, ridden before 4 out, no impression next, kept on one pace straight
led, joined 8th, narrow lead when pecked and unseated rider 3 out
settled behind leaders, slight mistake 4th, towards rear after next, slight mistake 7th, progress into 4th 3 out, soon left moderate 3rd, ridden and no impression before straight, slightly closer 2 out, kept on one pace from last
held up early, closer in 5th halfway, 3rd 4 out, left 2nd next, disputed before straight, led before 2 out, ridden to assert before last, kept on strongly, comfortably
Final List looked a likely future winner when runner-up in a Punchestown handicap then went lame when favourite at Down Royal. Aherlow has now had nine starts over fences without winning but has been competing in handicaps and his experience will stand him in good stead here. Jimmil attracted a bit of support on his handicap debut at Navan but didn't get far so this can go to his stable companion TOKYO GETAWAY. A winner between the flags, he's always been considered a chaser so his recent victory in a Punchestown handicap hurdle must be considered a bonus. Russian Bill scored over fences at Roscommon in September on heavy ground and has been hurdling recently so has to be respected while The Gunner Murphy should be suited by stepping up in trip.
Connard (IRE) 14-1 (11-3) Waited with, bad mistake 5th, 5th at 6th, slight mistake 9th, a little slow 4 out, no impression from before straight, bad mistake 3 out, tailed off, 6th of 8, dist behind An Fraoch Mor (11-3) at Navan 2m 4f Soft - Heavy in Dec.
Final List (IRE) 9-2jfav (11-10) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, slight mistakes 8th and 9th, pecked 3 out and soon ridden, no extra before straight, pulled up before 2 out, at Down Royal 3m hcp sft in Jan.
The Gunner Murphy (IRE) 7-1 (11-2) In rear, slight mistake 9th, some modest progress before 2 out, went moderate 5th at last, kept on one pace, 5th of 10, 23 1/4l behind Best Behavior (11-7) at Naas 2m 4f hcp sft in Jan.
Jimmil (IRE) 8-1 (11-6) Waited with, fell 3rd, at Navan 3m hcp hvy in Feb.
Aherlow (IRE) 11-2 (11-6) Prominent, disputed from 4th, headed 10th, dropped to 6th 4 out, ridden next, no impression before 2 out, stayed on well from last to go 2nd close home, 2nd of 10, 3 1/2l behind Jurby (11-6) at Down Royal 3m hcp sft in Jan.
Russian Bill (IRE) 16-1 (11-8) Waited with, last from 7th, under pressure from 11th, soon some headway, kept on same pace without threatening straight, 5th of 15, 23 1/4l behind Seskinane (10-6) at Navan 2m 7f hcp hvy in Feb.
Tokyo Getaway (IRE) 7-2 (11-11) Mid-division, slight mistakes 2nd and 3rd, ridden into 4th after 4 out, under pressure 2 out, stayed on to press leaders last, led run-in and kept on well closing stages, won at Punchestown 3m hcp Soft - Heavy in Jan beating Nicole's Milan (10-9) by 2 1/2l, 12 ran.
