prominent, led before 3rd, headed approaching 3 out and soon no extra, weakened
held up towards rear, no impression in 5th approaching straight, kept on one pace
tracked leaders, 2nd halfway, headway to lead before 3 out and soon asserted, in command in straight and kept on well, impressive
tracked leaders, 4th halfway, no extra from 2 out, weakened
tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, went 2nd 3 out, soon ridden and no impression on easy winner entering straight, kept on one pace
held up and took keen hold, went 4th approaching 2 out, no extra in straight and kept on one pace
led early, tracked leaders in 5th halfway, 3rd after 3 out and soon no impression on easy winner, kept on one pace in straight
Blackstairmountain looked to be struggling for much of the way in the Grade 1 Racing Post Novice Chase over this C&D last month but got going late and eventually overhauled NOTUS DE LA TOUR on the run-in. Lucky William and Baily Green are held on that form while Gift Of Dgab fell too early to make a judgement. Robbie Power was riding the runner-up for the first time that day and made plenty of use of him so a more restrained ride can allow David Pipe's charge to turn the tables and take this. Flemenstar takes a massive step-up in grade but is well worth a look as he has done very well so far and wasn't too far behind the high-class Bog Warrior on his chasing debut at Navan. He's unbeaten in two subsequent starts and could easily make the transition to this higher level.
Baily Green (IRE) 33-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, left in front after 4th, headed approaching straight, no extra in 5th at last, 5th of 9, 15l behind Blackstairmountain (11-12) at Leopardstown 2m 1f nov chs Grade 1 (4yo+) (1) sft in Dec.
Blackstairmountain (IRE) 9-2 (11-12) Settled towards rear, closer in 5th 3 out, headway to go 2nd approaching last, kept on well under pressure to lead late run-in, won at Leopardstown 2m 1f nov chs Grade 1 (4yo+) (1) sft in Dec beating Notus De La Tour (11-12) by 2 1/4l, 9 ran.
Flemenstar (IRE) 6-5 (11-8) Led early, soon tracked leaders, led again from 5th, travelling well and clear of remainder with 2nd from before 3 out, pressed and joined from before next, asserted under pressure and drew on closing stages, won at Naas 2m nov chs beating Lambro (11-8) by 3 1/2l, 6 ran.
Foildubh (IRE) 25-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, close up 2 out, ridden and no impression in 3rd when mistake last, kept on same pace under pressure run-in, 3rd of 9, 5l behind Blackstairmountain (11-12) at Leopardstown 2m 1f nov chs Grade 1 (4yo+) (1) sft in Dec.
Gift Of Dgab (IRE) 16-1 (11-12) Towards rear when brought down 4th, in a race won by Blackstairmountain (11-12) at Leopardstown 2m 1f nov chs Grade 1 (4yo+) (1) sft in Dec, 9 ran.
Lucky William (IRE) 10-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, well in touch when mistake 2 out, driven along entering straight, 4th before last, kept on one pace under pressure, 4th of 9, 7l behind Blackstairmountain (11-12) at Leopardstown 2m 1f nov chs Grade 1 (4yo+) (1) sft in Dec.
Notus De La Tour (FR) 5-1 (11-12) Always prominent, led early, close 2nd halfway, led again approaching straight, ridden and kept on from before last, headed and no extra late run-in, 2nd of 9, 2 1/4l behind Blackstairmountain (11-12) at Leopardstown 2m 1f nov chs Grade 1 (4yo+) (1) sft in Dec.
