held up in rear, progress into moderate 4th at 8th, closer in 3rd before 4 out, ridden in 4th and no extra after 3 out, weakening when mistake 2 out
chased leader in 2nd, bad mistake 6 out and soon dropped 5 lengths off leader, slight mistake 3 out, closer 2 out, ridden before last where slight mistake, kept on run-in without reaching winner
held up behind leaders, moderate 5th halfway, rear and slight mistake 5 out, ridden and weakened before next
made all, 5-lengths clear from 6 out, reduced advantage 2 out, soon ridden, kept on well from last
held up behind leaders, moderate 3rd halfway, slight mistake 8th, closer after 5 out, 4th 4 out, ridden in 3rd and no impression after 3 out, weakened before next
held up behind leaders, slight mistakes 4th and 5th, moderate 4th halfway, ridden in 5th after 5 out, soon weakened
Montys Meadow has been unfortunate to come up against Willie Mullins'-trained winners on several occasions as he did when making a race of it with Pleasant Company at Punchestown on New Year's Eve. He'll be scoring over fences before long but once again comes up against a potentially useful chaser from the champion trainer's yard. ARBRE DE VIE, an excellent fourth behind Martello Tower in the Albert Bartlett at Cheltenham before carrying a big weight into second place in a strong handicap at Punchestown, has a cracking pedigree for chasing and can make a successful debut before going on to better things. Crown Of Gold has some strong form in maiden company over timber and is another who has always looked like making a decent chaser so he may come out best of the remainder.
Aranhill Rascal (IRE) 66-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, mistake and unseated rider 1st, at Punchestown 2m 4f sft in Nov.
Arbre De Vie (FR) 5-1 (11-6) Mid-division, good progress on inner from 2 out, 8th when short of room and stumbled entering straight, soon ridden, went 3rd at last, stayed on well run-in to go 2nd close home, never nearer, 2nd of 22, 1l behind Sort It Out (10-12) at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp sft in May.
Dinnie's Vinnie (IRE) 100-1 (11-12) Towards rear, reminders after 3rd, 13th from next, soon no danger, mistake last, completely tailed off,, 16th of 18, dist behind Bonny Kate (11-5) at Fairyhouse 2m 5f sft in Nov.
Montys Meadow (IRE) 7-4 (11-12) Tracked leaders, went 2nd from 6th, close 3rd 5 out, improved to dispute lead 2 out, ridden entering straight, headed at last, kept on same pace in 2nd run-in, 2nd of 7, 2 1/4l behind Pleasant Company (11-12) at Punchestown 3m 1f hvy in Dec.
Vent De La Cote (FR) 33-1 (11-12) Always towards rear, never a factor, 13th halfway, no extra from 4 out, 13th of 16, dist behind Shaneshill (11-12) at Thurles 2m 2f sft in Nov.
Wood Pigeon (IRE) 50-1 (11-12) Always behind, pushed along 8th, trailing when mistake 4 out, never a factor, 6th of 7, dist behind Pleasant Company (11-12) at Punchestown 3m 1f hvy in Dec.
Crown Of Gold (IRE) 10-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, dropped to 6th after 3 out, pushed along after 2 out and 4th at last, no extra run-in, 4th of 7, 13l behind Squouateur (10-10) at Leopardstown 2m 4f hcp hvy in Dec.
