rear of mid-division, remote 9th 3 out, no impression, never a factor
towards rear, remote 7th 3 out, no impression, never a factor
always towards rear, mistake 2nd, never a factor
tracked leader in 2nd, mistake 1st, dropped to 3rd from 5th, 3rd and bad mistake 4 out, ridden in 3rd entering straight, moderate 4th from last, no extra
tracked leaders, slight mistake 4th, 4th and mistake 3 out, soon ridden, disputed 2nd briefly 2 out, soon no impression on leaders, moderate 5th at last, no extra
always towards rear, never a factor
always behind, never a factor, pulled up after 2 out
tracked leaders, jumped well, went 2nd from 5th, disputed lead 5 out, led 3 out, travelling well 2 out, went clear from last, not extended, easily
tracked leaders, 5th 3 out, closer 5th 2 out, went 2nd approaching last, ridden at last, kept on same pace in 2nd run-in
mid-division, slight mistake 8th, no impression from 4 out, never a factor
led, took keen hold, joined 5 out, headed 3 out, ridden in 2nd entering straight, 4th on inner 2 out, moderate 3rd at last, kept on one pace
The chasing debut of MONKFISH has been eagerly awaited. Willie Mullins' charge beat classy performers Latest Exhibition and Fury Road in the Albert Bartlett at Cheltenham and can take top-rank in the novice chase department this season. Strangely, he pulled up on his debut in a Cragmore point-to-point in 2018 which was won by Sams Profile from Diol Ker, both rivals here. The former was bowling along nicely when falling 3 out in what looked a strong event at Thurles on his chasing debut and he was twice runner-up at Grade 1 level over hurdles. The selection's yard also run Ontheropes, who didn't show much in four starts over fences last winter, while Escaria Ten was beaten 10 lengths behind Diol Ker in a maiden hurdler here a year ago but completed a double when tackling 3 miles later.
Alpine Cobra (IRE) 50-1 (12-0) Always behind, never a factor, 13th of 14, dist behind Assemble (12-0) at Fairyhouse 2m 5f hvy in Nov.
Arvicta (IRE) 125-1 (12-0) Waited with in rear, some headway but well off pace in 8th before 8th, soon no danger, left chasing leaders at a distance from 2 out, 4th of 10, dist behind Eurobot (12-0) at Thurles 2m 6f sft in Nov.
Black Samurai 7-1 (12-2) Led, joined approaching 4 out, soon headed, weakened from next, pulled up 2 out, at Fairyhouse 2m 7f mdn Soft - Heavy in Nov.
Diol Ker (FR) 9-4fav (12-0) Tracked leader in 2nd, disputed lead from 3rd, mistake 7th, headed 8th, 2nd and bad mistake 4 out, ridden in 3rd after 3 out, no impression on leaders in 4th 2 out, kept on one pace in moderate 3rd inside final furlong, 3rd of 14, 12 3/4l behind Assemble (12-0) at Fairyhouse 2m 5f hvy in Nov.
Escaria Ten (FR) 16-1 (11-0) Not much room 2nd, tracked leaders, driven after 2 out, ridden and one pace before last, soon weakened, 15th of 23, 19 1/4l behind Indefatigable (11-9) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp (2) sft in Mar.
Full Of Zandre (FR) 33-1 (12-0) Tracked leaders, took keen hold, ridden in 4th 3 out, soon weakened, moderate 6th and mistake 2 out, no impression, 6th of 9, 23 1/2l behind Bois De Clamart (12-0) at Tramore 2m 5f Yielding in Oct.
Minella Moment (IRE) 100-1 (12-0) Held up towards rear, mistakes 2nd and 3rd, 10th halfway, ridden and lost touch after 4 out, completely tailed off, 12th of 13, dist behind Hostage To Fortune (12-0) at Gowran Park 2m 4f hvy in Nov.
Monkfish (IRE) 5-1 (11-5) Always prominent, led or disputed lead 3rd to before 6th, blundered 8th, led narrowly after 2 out, soon hard pressed, edged right approaching last, headed narrowly flat, rallied to regain lead final strides, won at Cheltenham 3m (1) sft in Mar beating Latest Exhibition (11-5) by nk, 19 ran.
Ontheropes (IRE) 11-2 (11-10) Chased leaders early, lost position and pushed along briefly after 4th and towards rear, slight mistake 6th, soon reminder, no impression from before straight, jumped right 3 out, pulled up before 2 out, at Navan 3m hcp hvy in Mar.
Oscar Thyne (IRE) 6-1 (11-8) Tracked leaders, pushed along approaching 3 out, 5th and no impression before 2 out, no extra, kept on one pace, 5th of 10, 17l behind Western Run (12-0) at Killarney 2m 7f gd in Oct.
Sams Profile 3-1 (12-0) Led, almost joined 5 out, headed approaching 3 out where 2nd and fell, at Thurles 2m 6f sft in Nov.
