chased leaders, 5th halfway, dropped to mid-division 5 out, mistake next, ridden and no extra after 3 out
mid-division, ridden and no extra entering straight, pulled up after 2 out
held up towards rear, closer on outer 3 out, soon 5th, improved to dispute before 2 out, ridden 2 out, soon headed, no impression in 2nd last, kept on same pace, just held 2nd at line
chased leaders, slight mistake 4th, 3rd halfway, ridden and no impression before 2 out, soon no extra
chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden to dispute before 2 out, mistake and jinked right 2 out, unseated rider
led, ridden and joined before 2 out, headed approaching 2 out, hampered 2 out, under pressure in 4th before last, kept on run-in, just held for 2nd at line
mid-division, 5th 5 out, ridden and no impression entering straight, no extra before 2 out, kept on one pace
held up towards rear, progress entering straight, closer behind leaders before 2 out, switched out to challenge approaching 2 out, led after 2 out, ridden to assert before last, kept on strongly to go clear run-in
mid-division, bad mistake 3rd and dropped to rear, slight mistake 5 out, ridden and no impression entering straight, soon no extra and weakened
chased leader in 2nd, slight mistake 6th, improved to dispute before 2 out, soon ridden, headed after 2 out, no impression in 3rd when slight mistake last, kept on run-in, just held for 2nd at line
Lord Schnitzel was racing in strong company over fences last winter but hasn't run since Cheltenham in March. French Light won a point and two races over hurdles in the USA though won't have come across ground this testing but Tucanae looked one to follow when landing a Fairyhouse maiden before slipping up soon after the start at Limerick. Gevrey landed a Limerick maiden then appeared to run out of steam when tackling this trip on heavy ground at Punchestown. Pepite De Belle found Grade 2 company and 2m7f too much to handle at Limerick after landing a maiden here but Broomfields Jeremy has been very consistent and it will be a surprise if he's not there at the finish. STAND OFF is progressing nicely and made most when scoring over the minimum on heavy ground here last month. He looks as though he can go higher than this mark and gets the nod.
Balinaboola Steel (IRE) 18-1 (11-12) Towards rear, some headway after 3 out and 5th entering straight, ridden and no impression after 2 out, no extra in 7th before last, weakened, 7th of 10, dist behind Frontal Assault (11-8) at Thurles 2m 7f sft in Dec.
Lord Schnitzel (IRE) 33-1 (11-1) Not fluent in rear, hampered 3rd, badly hampered 3 out, pulled up before 2 out, at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp lst (1) sft in Mar.
French Light (FR) Evenscfav (10-12) Late closer, 5th of 7, 6 1/4l behind Anticipating (10-4) at Great Meadow 2m 1f hcp gd in Oct.
Tucanae (IRE) 3-1fav (11-10) Mid-division, slipped up before first bend, at Limerick 2m 4f hcp hvy in Dec.
Gevrey (FR) 6-1 (11-3) Soon chased leaders, 6th after 5th, soon closed, prominent, from 4 out, gained narrow lead after 3 out, joined before 2 out, headed before last, one pace run-in, 3rd of 13, 2 1/2l behind Gabbys Cross (11-2) at Punchestown 2m 4f hvy in Dec.
Conquredalofeurope (IRE) 14-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, slight mistake 3rd, disputed 5th after 5th, pushed along into straight, soon one pace, 9th of 10, 16 1/4l behind Wingin A Prayer (11-5) at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp hvy in Dec.
Pepite De Belle 80-1 (10-12) Waited with towards rear, slightly slow 3rd, headway 6th, soon moderate 5th, 4th approaching 3 out, soon no extra, 4th of 8, dist behind Farouk D'Alene (11-5) at Limerick 2m 7f (1) hvy in Dec.
Broomfields Jeremy (IRE) 7-1 (11-10) In rear, headway 2 out, went 7th entering straight, ridden in 4th at last, 3rd inside final furlong, stayed on well close home, never nearer, 3rd of 17, 2 3/4l behind R'evelyn Pleasure (11-5) at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp hvy in Dec.
Coolbane Boy (IRE) 15-2 (11-6) Waited with towards rear, soon 6th, headway and effort straight behind horses, switched left after 3 out, left 3rd and impeded last, kept on same pace, 4th at finish, 4th of 7, 7l behind Streets Of Doyen (11-6) at Cork 3m gd in Oct.
Stand Off (IRE) 10-11fav (12-0) Chased leaders, close up 2nd, led next, slight mistake 4 out, joined entering straight, ridden and narrowly headed after 2 out, close up again last, led run-in, kept on well closing stages, won at Clonmel 2m mdn hvy in Dec beating Awesome Shirocco (11-4) by 1 1/2l, 14 ran.
