led, jumped left at times, jumped badly left at 6th, strongly pressed and ridden 2 out, headed inside final furlong, kept on same pace close home
tracked leaders in 4th, 3rd at 3rd, jumped left at 6th, ridden in 3rd when not fluent 3 out, moderate 4th 2 out, moderate 3rd at last, no impression on leaders
tracked leader in 2nd, jumped badly left at 6th, dropped to 3rd 3 out, soon ridden, no impression in moderate 4th after 2 out
tracked leaders in 3rd, 4th from 3rd, jumped left at 6th, ridden in last from 3 out, soon no impression
held up in touch in last, closer 4th 5 out, not fluent next, headway into 2nd 3 out, mistake next, closer 2nd at last, headway to lead on-bridle inside final furlong, stayed on well, comfortably
Archie Meade is a stayer who scored over 2m6f at Listowel in September so is likely to find this too short on his reappearance. Captain Hox only had a sole rival, who fell at the first, at Ayr in February but FESTIVE DAY (NAP) scored over 2m5f at Fairyhouse last week. The latter, a successful point-to-pointer, should do better and though the much shorter trip could be a problem this isn't the toughest of races and he can go in again. Vent De La Cote showed more promise over fences behind Caolaneoin at Naas but Grade 2 hurdles winner Busty Brown has been running poorly.
Archie Meade (IRE) 5-2 (10-9) In rear, soon detached and not always fluent jumping, reminder 9th, soon closed, dropped off leaders again approaching 4 out where not fluent, soon pushed along and no impression, poor 3rd from before 2 out, 3rd of 4, 37 1/2l behind Urano (11-0) at Wexford 3m 2f lst (1) Yielding in Oct.
Captain Hox (IRE) 9-2 (11-4) Traveled well, held up in 4th, tracked front pair 5 out, shaken up when blundered 2 out, soon hung right and not quicken, weakened from last, 4th of 5, 27 1/4l behind Blakemount (10-12) at Carlisle 2m 4f (3) gd in Mar.
Festive Day (IRE) 50-1 (11-12) Chased leader, jumped slightly left 3rd, mistake 5th, closed 12th, led after 2 out, soon clear, stayed on well, easily, won at Fairyhouse 2m 5f Soft - Heavy in Apr beating Boite A Musique (11-12) by 31l, 6 ran.
Busty Brown (IRE) 25-1 (11-12) Prominent, mistake 6th, not fluent 4 out, soon pushed along, moderate 5th and no impression approaching straight, soon no extra, 6th of 10, dist behind Fine Theatre (11-12) at Gowran Park 2m 4f hvy in Mar.
Vent De La Cote (FR) 7-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, behind from 3rd, closer before 5 out, ridden into moderate 6th entering straight, stayed on into 3rd before last, 2nd and mistake last, kept on same pace run-in, no chance with winner, 2nd of 9, 10l behind Caolaneoin (11-12) at Naas 2m hvy in Mar.
