always towards rear, ridden and no impression 4 out, kept on one pace
led and disputed, ridden in 2nd entering straight, close up 2 out, soon no extra
led and disputed, ridden and headed after 2 out, no extra and kept on same pace
chased leaders early, mistake 2nd and towards rear, jumped right next, headway in 4th entering straight, closer 2 out and soon led after fence, in command when slight mistake last, easily
chased leaders, 4th halfway, 3rd when mistake 3 out, ridden in 5th entering straight, no impression 2 out, kept on one pace
disputed early, soon chased leaders, 5th halfway, ridden in 6th and no extra entering straight, fell heavily 2 out
chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden to challenge 2 out, no extra in 3rd before last, kept on one pace
It's difficult to know what to make of MIKAEL D'HAGUENET, who has been very frustrating over fences. Willie Mullins' former high-class hurdler appears to have had his confidence dented when when falling in a couple of Grade 1s in his novice season but hopefully retains his ability and can get back on the winning trail. He faces a tough opponent here in Mount Benbulben, who was in touch when falling in the race won by El Fontan at Punchestown last month when the selection finished runner-up, though he'll need to jump better this tme. Knockgraffon King was beaten when unshipping his rider on his chasing bow at Punchestown last month but looks the best of the remainder.
As De Pique (IRE) 50-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, no impression from 4 out, poor 6th entering straight, left 5th last, 5th of 12, well behind El Fontan (11-12) at Punchestown 2m 4f beg chs hvy in Nov.
Knockgraffon King (IRE) 7-2 (11-12) Led, headed 3rd, dropped well off the pace from 6 out, moderate 3rd approaching 3 out, soon no impression, hampered and unseated rider 2 out, in a race won by Dedigout (11-12) at Punchestown 2m 4f beg chs hvy in Nov, 7 ran.
Mackeys Forge (IRE) 9-2 (11-12) Chased leader, led after 5th, headed 7th, disputed 3 out, ridden in 3rd 2 out, no extra and kept on same pace, 3rd of 15, 15l behind Argocat (10-13) at Limerick 2m 3f beg chs sft in Oct.
Mount Benbulben (IRE) 5-4fav (11-12) Chased leaders, some slight mistakes, 4th halfway, close up in 3rd when fell 3 out, in a race won by El Fontan (11-12) at Punchestown 2m 4f beg chs hvy in Nov, 12 ran.
Panther Claw (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) Always prominent, 2nd halfway, slight mistake 3 out and soon dropped to 3rd, no impression from next and kept on one pace, 3rd of 16, 18l behind Farrells Fancy (11-12) at Thurles 2m 6f beg chs in Oct.
Seeability (IRE) 25-1 (10-7) Chased leaders in pack, moderate 4th halfway, 3rd 5 out, ridden and no impression 3 out, soon no extra, 5th of 10, 36l behind Ballyfinboy (10-0) at Navan 2m 7f hcp hdl 80-109 in Nov.
Whats On The Menu (IRE) 10-1 (9-10) Waited with, slight mistake 5 out, moderate 6th into straight, no impression in 5th approaching 2 out, kept on same pace, 4th of 7, 21l behind Instant Impacked (10-1) at Cork 2m hcp chs 0-140 hvy in Nov.
Mikael D'haguenet (FR) 5-4fav (11-12) Attempted to make all, clear entering straight, mistake 2 out, soon ridden, bad mistake last and recovered from being on ground, headed and no extra, 2nd of 12, 2 3/4l behind El Fontan (11-12) at Punchestown 2m 4f beg chs hvy in Nov.
Paddy The Stout (IRE) 40-1 (11-9) Held up towards rear, moderate 7th and no impression 4 out, kept on one pace, left moderate 4th last, 4th of 12, 29l behind El Fontan (11-12) at Punchestown 2m 4f beg chs hvy in Nov.
