held up in 5th, moderate 5th halfway, ridden and no impression from 3 out, never a factor
tracked leader in 2nd, ridden and disputed lead 2 out, headed at last, kept on same pace in 2nd run-in
led, ridden 3 out, headed next, no impression in 3rd at last, dropped to 4th near line
tracked leaders in 3rd, mistake 4th and dropped to 4th, slight mistake 4 out, ridden and no impression straight
tracked leaders in 4th, went 3rd at 4th, slight mistake next, improved to dispute lead travelling well 2 out, led at last and ridden inside final furlong, stayed on well
held up in last, well off pace in last when slight mistake 7th, trailing and not fluent 5 out, some headway 3 out, closer 4th 2 out, pushed along in 4th at last, kept on without threatening run-in to go 3rd near line, never nearer
Mount Brandon pulled up three times in succession over much longer trips before just failing to make most over the minimum at Punchestown. He'd started a short-priced favourite in the race won by Eiri Na Casca at Naas a year ago but ran a shocker so he doesn't look one to risk the mortgage on. The winner returned to form at Naas a couple of weeks ago so should go well again though ALL THE CHIMNEYS (NAP) gets the nod. Three times a winner over hurdles, he's only had three starts over fences and hasn't shown much but he's improved a great deal in the past year and can race from a 15lb lower mark over the bigger obstacles. Boher Call looks a threat as he's back on the same mark as when scoring at Naas a year ago and he hasn't been running badly.
Rolling Rocket (IRE) 14-1 (11-5) Soon tracked leaders, 5th at 3rd, mistake 5th, disputed 5th 2 out and no impression, one pace, 7th of 11, 20 1/2l behind Effernock Lad (11-1) at Navan 2m 1f hcp Soft - Heavy in Dec.
Ontopoftheworld (IRE) 6-1 (10-9) Rear of mid-division, 9th after 3rd, pushed along in 8th after 4 out, 7th 2 out, soon ridden in 6th, no impression before last, kept on one pace, 6th of 13, 13 1/2l behind The Conker Club (10-5) at Thurles 2m 5f hcp sft in Dec.
Boher Call (IRE) 13-2 (10-1) Raced in 6th early, pushed along in last approaching straight, soon no impression and kept on same pace, 5th of 9, 13 1/4l behind Black Zero (9-11) at Naas 2m hcp sft in Jan.
Mount Brandon (IRE) 13-2 (9-11) Disputed lead, led from 3rd, ridden clear approaching last, kept on run-in, headed and no extra near line, 2nd of 10, nk behind Show And Go (11-8) at Punchestown 2m hcp sft in Dec.
All The Chimneys (IRE) 7-1 (11-9) Raced in 6th early, slight mistake 4th, slightly impeded 3 out, still 6th approaching straight, kept on same pace from before last, 4th of 16, 4 3/4l behind Yaha Fizz (11-0) at Naas 2m hcp sft in Jan.
Blackwater Bridge (IRE) 10-1 (9-12) Soon chased leaders, 6th at 3rd, slight mistake 7th, no impression before 2 out where slight mistake, one pace, 6th of 11, 19 3/4l behind Effernock Lad (11-1) at Navan 2m 1f hcp Soft - Heavy in Dec.
Eiri Na Casca (IRE) 8-1 (10-1) Chased leaders, 5th early, 4th from 2 out, no impression from before last, kept on without threatening run-in into 3rd on line, 3rd of 9, 3 3/4l behind Black Zero (9-11) at Naas 2m hcp sft in Jan.
