waited with at ordinary pace, challenged in 2nd 2 out where stumbled on landing, on terms last where awkward, soon headed but every chance run-in, kept on without matching 1st 2 closing stages
waited with at ordinary pace, closer in 3rd before straight, challenged and on terms last, soon headed but every chance, kept on without matching winner closing stages
close up at ordinary pace and disputed lead at stages, pushed along in 3rd 3 out, dropped to last before straight, renewed effort 2 out, soon no impression and kept on without threatening
slow jump 1st, disputed lead for most at ordinary pace, gained narrow lead before straight, pressed and joined last, edged ahead again run-in and stayed on well to hold off a couple of strong challengers
waited with last of the 5 early until led and disputed at ordinary pace from 5th, headed before straight, dropped to 4th 2 out, soon no extra
Raptor was still very much in contention when falling at the third last in the Grade 1 Fort Leney at Leopardstown where stablemate ALLEE GARDE finished a highly creditable third behind the classy Last Instalment with Crash well beaten. Paul Townend has chosen Allee Garde which isn't surprising as he was having only his second start over fences and looks very progressive. There's nothing between him and Four Commanders on a line through the winner and Mouse Morris' charge could benefit from today's longer trip which makes him a big threat. Medical Card has finished behind both Four Commanders and Raptor over fences but showed the benefit with a convincing success at Limerick.
Allee Garde (FR) 7-2 (11-10) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, headway to dispute before 3 out, headed next, no impression on winner before last, no extra under pressure run-in and lost 2nd near line, 3rd of 8, 6l behind Last Instalment (11-10) at Leopardstown 3m nov chs Grade 1 (4yo+) (1) gd in Dec.
Crash (IRE) 14-1 (11-10) Chased leaders on outer, 6th halfway, left 4th and slightly hampered 3 out, no extra after next, 5th of 8, 42l behind Last Instalment (11-10) at Leopardstown 3m nov chs Grade 1 (4yo+) (1) gd in Dec.
Four Commanders (IRE) 9-2 (11-6) Led, headed before straight, soon dropped to 3rd and no impression, left 2nd and kept on without troubling winner from 2 out, 2nd of 4, 7l behind Sir Des Champs (11-6) at Limerick 2m 3f nov chs Grade 2 (1) hvy in Dec.
Medical Card (IRE) 7-4fav (11-12) Soon disputed lead, slight mistake 4 out, travelling best and edged ahead last, eased on run-in, comfortably, won at Limerick 2m 6f beg chs hvy in Dec beating Fernhurst Lad (11-12) by 1l, 14 ran.
Raptor (FR) 10-1 (11-10) Led or disputed lead, still on terms when fell 3 out, in a race won by Last Instalment (11-10) at Leopardstown 3m nov chs Grade 1 (4yo+) (1) gd in Dec, 8 ran.
