soon towards rear, never a factor, no impression approaching 5 out, soon no extra, well behind when pulled up before 2 out
led and clear with one rival from 3rd, slight mistake 6th, headed 5 out, no extra after 3 out, soon weakened
tracked leader in 2nd and clear of remainder from 3rd, led 5 out, pushed along and headed approaching 2 out, close 4th when slight mistake last, no impression run-in, kept on one pace
chased leaders, 4th halfway, pushed along and no impression in 8th after 4 out, soon no extra, behind and pulled up before 2 out
always towards rear, never a factor, reminders and no impression approaching 5 out, soon no extra and pulled up before 4 out
mid-division, headway into 3rd approaching 5 out, 2nd 3 out and soon pushed along, 5th and no impression next, no extra when mistake last
chased leaders, 3rd halfway, mistake 10th, pushed along and no extra after 4 out, weakened, behind and pulled up before 2 out
chased leaders, 5th halfway, headway 3 out and soon pushed along, 2nd and ridden after 2 out, no extra run-in
rear of mid-division, never a factor, towards rear 9th, pushed along and no impression after 4 out, no extra, behind and pulled up before 2 out
towards rear, mistake and unseated rider 6th
mid-division, 6th halfway, headway into 3rd 3 out, ridden after next and challenged at last, under pressure and led 100 yards out, kept on well
held up towards rear, some headway when slight mistake 4 out, 5th 3 out, headway to lead before next, strongly pressed last, ridden and headed run-in, no impression on winner closing stages
mid-division, dropped towards rear approaching 5 out, soon pushed along and no extra, behind and pulled up before 2 out
Alpha Des Obeaux hasn't won since landing a Listed contest in 2018 and has been contesting races over banks courses and ran in the Grand National. He's on his lowest mark over fences and Jordan Gainford's claim is a major bonus. Optical Confusion is the only course winner having scored over 2m3f three weeks ago following a victory at Fairyhouse. He's up 12lb which makes this tougher while Shady Operator is up 10lb for a convincing victory at Killarney. POPONG is lightly-raced and progressing enough to take this. A winner at Listowel, when Western Victory fell while leading at the last, he would have gone close at Leopardstown but for falling at the last then finished a close third in the Grade B Pat Taaffe handicap at Punchestown early this month. Contingency has only had four starts over fences, winning twice, and could be a blot on the handicap while Konitho is 10lb lower than his hurdles mark.
Alpha Des Obeaux (FR) 13-8fav (11-9) Mid-division, 7th after 11th, slight mistake 13th, moderate 6th 21st, left 5th and off pace 6 out, no impression from 4 out, tailed off, 6th of 13, dist behind Call It Magic (11-9) at Punchestown 3m 1f gf in May.
Shady Operator (IRE) 4-1jfav (11-0) Soon led, 3 lengths clear at 12th, increased advantage before 3 out, clear 2 out, eased run-in, easily, won at Killarney 3m 2f hcp Good - Yielding in May beating Kruzhlinin (10-10) by 6 1/2l, 15 ran.
Western Victory (IRE) 10-3 (11-2) Raced in 2nd, not fluent 3rd, led when not fluent 3 out, soon pushed along and joined, headed and bumped approaching next, soon ridden and no impression in 3rd, kept on again to go 2nd run-in, not reach winner, 2nd of 7, 1 1/2l behind Getaway Gorgeous (11-6) at Killarney 2m 1f lst (1) Yielding in May.
Castlebrook (IRE) 11-2 (11-2) Settled behind leaders in 3rd, ridden and dropped to rear entering straight, soon no impression, 5th of 6, 18 3/4l behind Waitnsee (10-5) at Cork 3m (1) Good - Yielding in Apr.
Fitzhenry (IRE) 18-1 (10-6) Held up, ridden into 10th entering straight, no impression before 2 out, 10th of 24, 24l behind Foxy Jacks (9-13) at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp Yielding in Apr.
Popong (IRE) 4-1fav (10-6) Soon chased leaders, 8th after 7th, slight mistake 8th, tight for room briefly after 5 out, 5th before straight, slight mistake 2 out, edged left run-in, stayed on well closing stages without reaching front pair, 3rd of 20, 1 1/4l behind Brahma Bull (11-10) at Punchestown 3m 1f hcp Good - Yielding in May.
Auvergnat (FR) 33-1 (11-2) Mid-division, 9th after 9th, headway before 4 out, 5th after 4 out, lost place 3 out where not fluent, mistake 2 out, soon ridden and weakened, 7th of 15, 27 1/4l behind Shady Operator (11-0) at Killarney 3m 2f hcp Good - Yielding in May.
Dromore Lad (IRE) 40-1 (10-9) Soon mid-division, 8th after 12th, slightly slow 15th, slight mistake 7 out, mistake 6 out, slightly impeded after 5 out, one pace 4 out, 8th of 19, 27 1/4l behind Mister Fogpatches (10-7) at Punchestown 3m 7f hcp Good - Yielding in May.
Dounikos (FR) 40-1 (11-1) Prominent, tracked leader at 3rd, 2nd after 9th, lost place after 14th, progress on outer to 3rd after 4 out, dropped to 4th after 2 out, weakened before last, 4th of 15, 20 1/2l behind Shady Operator (11-0) at Killarney 3m 2f hcp Good - Yielding in May.
Optical Confusion (IRE) 11-2 (10-12) Rear of mid-division, headway into 4th 3 out, disputed lead before 2 out, led travelling well 2 out, went clear before last, stayed on strongly and eased inside final furlong, easily, won at Ballinrobe 2m 3f hcp sft in May beating Ciankyle (10-12) by 6l, 14 ran.
Agent Boru (IRE) 28-1 (9-12) Soon chased leaders, 9th after 7th, tight for room briefly after 5 out, slight mistake and kept on same pace without threatening from 2 out, 5th of 20, 8l behind Brahma Bull (11-10) at Punchestown 3m 1f hcp Good - Yielding in May.
The Dabbler (IRE) 11-1 (10-12) Towards rear, headway in 5th 5 out, pushed along entering straight and slightly hampered 3 out, 4th and no impression before last, no extra, kept on one pace run-in, 3rd of 13, 15 1/2l behind Ificudiwud (11-5) at Fairyhouse 3m 1f hcp Yielding in Apr.
Definite Soldier (IRE) 28-1 (9-12) Mid-division, mistake 2nd, headway into 4th 3 out, 2nd travelling well 2 out, soon disputed lead, ridden approaching last, led after last, kept on well under pressure inside final furlong, won at Kilbeggan 2m 4f hcp gd in May beating Ask Nile (11-1) by 1/2l, 13 ran.
Contingency 25-1 (10-4) Rear of mid-division, ridden in 8th 3 out, no impression, never a factor, 9th of 13, 36 3/4l behind Rapid Response (10-0) at Punchestown 2m 5f hcp Yielding in Apr.
Konitho (FR) 9-2 (10-9) Mid-division early, 7th after 4th, headway and slight mistake 3 out, not fluent 2 out and one pace, 7th of 11, 20 1/2l behind Chatham Street Lad (11-0) at Cork 2m 1f hcp hvy in Nov.
