in rear, slight mistake 7th, pushed along in 6th 2 out and no impression approaching last, no extra
led or disputed lead, led from 5th, pushed along before 2 out, ridden and headed approaching last, no impression in 3rd run-in, kept on one pace
ran 6th, went 4th before 4 out, pushed along after 2 out, kept on one pace into 2nd run-in
tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, 2nd after 7th, travelled well to lead before last, ridden and kept on well run-in
tracked leaders, 4th halfway, travelled well in 3rd 2 out, pushed along and no impression when mistake last, no extra run-in
prominent and disputed lead, headed 5th, mistake 7th and lost place, slight mistake 10th and dropped to rear, pushed along and no extra after 3 out, pulled up before next
mid-division, 5th halfway, pushed along after 2 out, ridden and no impression run-in, kept on one pace
An excellent renewal and Gordon Elliott holds a strong hand with three entries. Bryan Cooper would have had the pick of the four Gigginstown runners and has chosen A TOI PHIL, who has been ridden by Ruby Walsh on his two victories over fences. His demolition of a Grade 2 field at Punchestown last month stamped him as a high-class young chaser and he can see off these smart rivals. The owners also have the exciting Alpha Des Obeaux engaged and he's got better with every run over fences culminating in a comfortable victory over the useful Westerner Lady in a Grade 3 at Cork. Anibale Fly ended the last campaign winning a lucrative handicap hurdle at Punchestown and made a vary satisfactory start over fences when beating the useful Martello Tower at Navan so Tony Martin's charge is greatly respected. Road To Respect had the well supported Prince Of Scars in second when making a successful chasing debut at Naas and can only get better while Diamond King, last season's Coral Cup winner, made a sparkling start over fences at Galway and could be anything though the opposition here is very much stiffer.
A Toi Phil (FR) 3-1 (11-3) Raced mainly in 4th, took closer order from 3 out, pushed along to lead after 2 out, ridden and kept on strongly from last, won at Punchestown 2m 6f (1) sft in Nov beating Jetstream Jack (11-3) by 7l, 6 ran.
Alpha Des Obeaux (FR) 9-10fav (11-0) Led and disputed, led 3rd, clear from next, slight mistake 5th, slightly reduced advantage 4 out, ridden and kept on well run-in, won at Cork 2m 4f (1) gd in Nov beating Westerner Lady (10-13) by 3 1/4l, 3 ran.
Anibale Fly (FR) 7-2 (11-12) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, progress 3 out and challenged next, travelled well approaching last, pushed out to assert run-in, comfortably, won at Navan 2m 1f Yielding - Soft in Nov beating Martello Tower (11-12) by 3/4l, 16 ran.
Coney Island (IRE) 11-4fav (11-12) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, progress into 3rd 5 out, ridden to challenge 2 out, under pressure in 2nd before last, no impression on winner and disputed 2nd run-in, 2nd at line, 2nd of 14, 3 1/2l behind Haymount (11-12) at Punchestown 2m 4f sft in Nov.
Diamond King (IRE) 4-5fav (11-12) Tracked leader, led briefly 5th, 4th halfway, progress before 2 out and led last, soon drew clear, stayed on well, very easily, won at Galway 2m 2f gd in Oct beating Lucky Pat (11-12) by 14l, 5 ran.
Lieutenant Colonel 6-5fav (11-1) Tracked leader, slight mistake 2nd, 2nd halfway, slight mistake 8th, dropped to rear 4 out, pulled up before next, at Punchestown 2m 2f (1) gd in Oct.
Road To Respect (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders in 6th, 5th when not fluent 5 out, headway into 2nd 3 out, improved to lead 2 out and soon ridden clear, stayed on well run-in, won at Naas 2m 3f Yielding - Soft in Nov beating Prince Of Scars (11-12) by 2 1/2l, 17 ran.
