led, not fluent at 2nd and reduced advantage, headed and weakened quickly before last
rear, a little keen, 7th at 5th, badly hampered and almost brought down 3 out (normal 4 out), improved to 5th approaching straight, switched right and headway to 3rd last where fell
tracked leader, 3rd at 5th, 4th after 4 out, mistake and fell 3 out (normal 4 out)
rear of mid-division, 5th at 5th where pecked, 4th after 2 out (normal 3 out), closed before last where led narrowly, kept on well run-in
tracked leader, closed in 2nd after 2nd, slow jump at 4th, improved to lead narrowly before last where headed, ridden and kept on run-in, no impression on winner
towards rear, 6th at 5th, slight mistake at 6th, under pressure approaching straight, progress to 4th run-in, soon ridden, kept on in 3rd closing stages, never nearer
mid-division, 4th at 5th, 3rd after 4 out, every chance in 4th last where left 3rd, dropped to 4th and weakened closing stages
FIGHTING FIT had indicated at an imminent success when runner-up at Fairyhouse and duly obliged by three lengths over Alice Avril at Naas. The runner-up will be 6lb better off but the winner had a bit in hand and is taken to confirm the form. Bythesametoken, three-times a winner over hurdles, was having only his second start over fences when landing a novices' chase at Down Royal and makes his handicap debut while Alko Rouge was in touch for a long way in a novices' event at Punchestown and has won on heavy ground over hurdles.
Alko Rouge (FR) 22-1 (11-5) Prominent, disputed briefly 2nd, disputed again 6th and led 4 out, headed before 2 out where slight mistake, 3rd and no impression entering straight, no extra, kept on one pace, 3rd of 9, 18 1/2l behind Ciel De Neige (11-12) at Punchestown 2m hvy in Feb.
Bythesametoken (IRE) 20-1 (11-5) Held up towards rear, progress into 5th 4 out, challenged after 3 out, soon disputed, ridden and narrowly headed before last, kept on well run-in to lead closing stages, won at Down Royal 2m Yielding in Jan beating Delvino (12-0) by 1 1/4l, 10 ran.
Ujumpthelastuwin 8-1 (11-11) Mid-division, slight mistake 1st, 6th halfway, mistake 5th and slight mistake 3 out, pushed along and no impression when slight mistake last, no extra run-in, 6th of 9, 13l behind Espion Du Chenet (11-2) at Thurles 2m 1f hcp sft in Feb.
Fighting Fit 6-4fav (10-5) Mid-division, 5th after 4th, headway at 6th, 3rd after 3 out, challenged leader 2 out, travelled well to lead narrowly last, ridden and asserted under 1f out, comfortably, won at Naas 2m hcp sft in Jan beating Alice Avril (10-6) by 3l, 9 ran.
Kalkas (FR) 5-1 (11-5) Tracked leader in 2nd, slightly hampered by loose horse before 4th, 3rd before 6th, challenged leader at 7th, hampered by loose horse 4 out, weakened quickly approaching straight, 7th of 11, 32 3/4l behind King Alex (11-5) at Limerick 2m 2f hvy in Dec.
Alice Avril (FR) 11-2 (11-3) Held up towards rear, ridden in 8th entering straight, no impression before 2 out, kept on one pace, 5th of 10, 19l behind Bythesametoken (11-5) at Down Royal 2m Yielding in Jan.
One Down (IRE) 28-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, 2nd 4 out, 3rd and ridden approaching straight and no impression before last, no extra run-in, 5th of 9, 11 1/2l behind Espion Du Chenet (11-2) at Thurles 2m 1f hcp sft in Feb.
