soon led, went on before 2 out, soon pushed along, kept on well run-in but reducing lead at the finish
held up, last from 3rd, pushed along from 4 out, went moderate 4th straight, kept on well without threatening run-in
held up, slight mistake 1st, 6th from 3rd, under pressure and no impression 3 out, weakened and pulled up before last
tracked leaders, 4th from 3rd, 3rd after 5th, 2nd before straight, kept on same pace run-in, dropped to 3rd near line
led early, 2nd from 3rd, 4th after 5th, no extra from 3 out
tracked leaders, 3rd from 3rd, 2nd after 5th, 3rd again before straight, stayed on well run-in, 2nd near line, not get to winner
held up, 7th from 3rd, slight mistake 4 out and pushed along, no impression next
chased leaders, 5th from 3rd, no extra 3 out, tailed off
Bel Ami De Sivola is penalised for a comfortable victory at Down Royal and faces stiffer opposition. Exactoris comfortably landed a Tipperary maiden before finding novice company too tough at Galway but The West's Awake did well to win over the minimum trip here as he'll be better over further. The progressive BILKO only had to be eased into the lead at Cork and had plenty in hand. He can take this despite stepping up in grade while Teacher's Pet has won three handicaps since August and doesn't look like stopping any time soon. Clonalig House is in excellent form and had a bit in hand at Musselburgh.
Bel Ami De Sivola (FR) 5-4fav (11-12) Tracked leaders, closer in 3rd 4 out, pushed along in 2nd approaching 2 out, led last and kept on well run-in, won at Down Royal 2m mdn gd in Nov beating Turbojet (11-12) by 3 1/4l, 14 ran.
Exactoris (IRE) 5-1 (11-6) Chased leaders, 2nd after 4th, slight mistake 6th, dropped to 3rd before 2 out, kept on same pace under pressure from before last, 3rd of 8, 4 1/4l behind Bel Sas (11-6) at Galway 2m 5f Good - Yielding in Jul.
The West's Awake (IRE) 9-4fav (11-4) Held up towards rear, closed up travelling smoothly on outer into straight, challenged 2 out, on terms from before last, soon led and stayed on best, won at Fairyhouse 2m mdn gd in Nov beating Sutton Manor (11-4) by 1 3/4l, 9 ran.
Bilko (FR) Evensjfav (11-12) Chased leader, slight mistake 5th, improved to challenge 3 out, disputed travelling best 2 out, pushed out to assert run-in, comfortably, won at Cork 2m 4f mdn gd in Nov beating Redrobin (11-12) by 1 1/4l, 4 ran.
Runyon Rattler (IRE) 16-1 (11-11) Chased leaders, outpaced when not much room on inside after 4 out, kept on under pressure from next, no impression, 8th of 18, 18l behind Wildmoor Boy (10-3) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Teacher's Pet (IRE) 4-1fav (10-10) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, improved to challenge entering straight, led 2 out, ridden clear before last, kept on strongly, won at Thurles 2m 4f hcp gd in Nov beating Court Challenge (11-0) by 5 1/2l, 11 ran.
Clonalig House (IRE) 3-1 (10-11) Held up, in 4th, not fluent 4th, challenged from 2 out, led before last, clear inside final 100 yards, readily, won at Musselburgh 2m 3f hcp (3) gd in Nov beating Faithful Mount (11-8) by 3 1/4l, 7 ran.
Pakman 16-1 (11-6) Chased leader in 2nd, ridden in 3rd after 2 out, no impression and disputed 3rd before last, kept on same pace, 3rd close home, 3rd of 7, 9 1/2l behind Presenting Percy (11-8) at Punchestown 2m hcp sft in Nov.
William B (IRE) 14-1 (11-12) Soon chased leaders, moderate 5th from 3rd, not fluent next, slight mistake 5th, went moderate 4th approaching straight, soon no extra, 6th of 15, dist behind Sunni May (11-12) at Cork 2m mdn Soft - Heavy in Nov.
