chased leaders, 4th at 5th, remote 5th before 8th, mistake 9th, pulled up after 4out
soon close up and disputed lead, jumped well, led before 3 out, asserted between last 2, stayed on well run-in, easily
took keen hold, prominent, on terms briefly 2nd, 3rd at 5th, some slight mistakes from 8th onwards, no impression before 2 out, one pace
soon towards rear, no danger from before 8th
held up, 7th at 5th, well off pace before 8th, no danger when not fluent 3 out
held up, jumped right at times, 6th at 5th, slight mistake 6th, well off pace before 8th, no danger from before 4 out
held up, 8th at 5th, well off pace before 8th, no danger from before 4 out, pulled up before last
soon towards rear, well off pace before 8th, some headway to chase leading trio from before 4 out, no extra straight and pulled up before 2 out
led and disputed, slight mistake 10th, headed before 3 out, soon switched left, pushed along from 2 out, no impression and one pace between last 2
soon chased leaders, 5th at 5th, remote 4th before 8th, no impression from before 4 out and pulled up before last
Willie Mullins complicates matters here with four entries, all bar Bonbon Au Miel making their debut over fences and he was well beaten on his chasing bow at Fairyhouse. Turcagua has the best hurdling form having finished runner-up to Death Duty in a Grade 1 though he has a very long absence to overcome as does CADMIUM, though the latter looked to have a huge amount of potential when making a successful debut for the yard just over a year ago and gets a tentative vote. Chateau Conti has only shown moderate form over timber but Gordon Elliott's Timiyan has won five of his 14 starts on the Flat and over hurdles including on heavy going and, if taking to the bigger obstacles, could give the Mullins battalions a fright.
A Plein Temps (FR) 3-1fav (11-10) Tracked leader, weakened from 3 out, 11th of 13, 36 3/4l behind Desert Sensation (11-6) at Exeter 2m 7f hcp (4) sft in Nov.
Bonbon Au Miel (FR) 7-2 (11-12) Tracked leaders in 3rd, mistake 1st, led from 3rd, joined at 8th, headed 4 out, ridden 3 out, dropped to 4th entering straight, weakened, 4th of 6, dist behind Moulin A Vent (11-12) at Fairyhouse 2m 7f hvy in Dec.
Cadmium (FR) 4-6fav (11-9) Disputed early, led before 2nd, pressed entering straight, ridden after 2 out, kept on well to assert run-in, won at Limerick 2m 3f mdn Good - Yielding in Dec beating Call The Taxie (11-12) by 1 3/4l, 14 ran.
Fit To Be Tied (IRE) 25-1 (11-12) In rear, mistake and unseated rider 2nd, at Fairyhouse 2m 1f sft in Jan.
Lacken Bridge (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) Mid-division, slight mistake 2nd, soon towards rear, slight mistake 5th, trailing halfway, never a factor, 12th of 16, dist behind Close Shave (11-12) at Thurles 2m 6f Yielding in Oct.
Phil The Flyer (IRE) 20-1 (9-9) Mid-division, 7th halfway, ridden and no impression over 2f out, soon no extra, 11th of 14, 13l behind Kirk's Dancer (9-0) at Dundalk 1m 4f mdn pol in Dec.
Seanathair (IRE) 66-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, slight mistake 11th, soon lost touch in rear, no extra after 6 out, weakened, pulled up before 3 out, at Punchestown 3m 1f Soft - Heavy in Dec.
Timiyan (USA) 8-1 (10-5) Mid-division, ridden in 7th after 3 out, no extra entering straight, weakened before last, tailed off, 10th of 11, dist behind Lagostovegas (10-7) at Listowel 2m hcp hvy in Sep.
Turcagua (FR) 66-1 (11-5) Mid-division, mistake 7th, lost place next, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out, at Cheltenham 3m (1) gd in Mar.
Florianopolis (IRE) 100-1 (11-5) Led, mistake 3rd and headed, dropped to 5th at 8th, no impression from 5 out, last of 6, dist behind Moulin A Vent (11-12) at Fairyhouse 2m 7f hvy in Dec.
Chateau Conti (FR) 16-1 (11-6) Held up, soon towards rear, not always fluent jumping, no extra and eased straight, 19th of 29, dist behind Mine Now (11-0) at Leopardstown 3m hcp sft in Dec.
