mid-division, closer 5th when not fluent 2 out, soon ridden, 4th at last, no impression
tracked leaders, 3rd 4 out, ridden in 2nd 2 out, 2nd at last, no extra and dropped to 3rd inside final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden in 4th 2 out, no impression before last
mid-division, not fluent 4th and soon pushed along, weakened from 4 out, never a factor
held up in last and took keen hold early, progress on outer from 4th, led 5 out, mistake next, headed before 2 out, soon ridden, weakened entering straight
held up in rear, plenty to do in moderate 7th when fell 2 out
tracked leaders, bad mistake 1st, soon mid-division, slight mistake 6th, 6th 3 out, soon ridden, no impression in moderate 8th when fell 2 out
held up towards rear, progress into 6th and ridden 2 out, went 3rd at last, kept on without threatening to go 2nd inside final furlong
made most, jumped slightly right at times, headed 5 out, regained lead before 2 out, soon ridden, stayed on well under pressure run-in
CHAMPAGNE JAMES has been unfortunate to come up against useful rivals in his three novice events and makes his handicap debut with a big weight. However, Ted Walsh must believe he's better than a 126-rated performer and this looks within his capabilities. Golden Ticket was conceding 9lb to the perennial runner-up Heavenly Brook at Punchestown when Paddy O'Dee was a close third. He may have to improve again with a 5lb rise to contend with but One Cool Shabra hasn't been disgraced against some high-class opposition and can get into the frame. Sitcom beat Rafi De Triana by five lengths at Cork in November but neither ran well last time.
Champagne James (IRE) 8-11fav (11-3) Held up in touch in rear, mistake 4th, progress to track leaders when mistake 8th, ridden in 3rd 3 out, 3rd next, short of room briefly approaching last, kept on without threatening to go 2nd close home, 2nd of 7, 3/4l behind Dromnea (11-7) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f nov chs 0-123.
One Cool Shabra (IRE) 14-1 (10-10) Tracked leaders, slight mistakes 3rd and 6th, pushed along briefly 5 out, 4th next, ridden 3 out, kept on one paced straight, 4th of 7, 6l behind Dromnea (11-7) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f nov chs 0-123.
Golden Ticket (AUS) 14-1 (11-5) Mid-division, progress into 5th 3 out, 3rd 2 out, ridden entering straight, stayed on to challenge last, led run-in and kept on well under pressure, won at Punchestown 2m hcp chs sft in Dec beating Heavenly Brook (10-10) by 1/2l, 10 ran.
Benash (IRE) 66-1 (11-3) Led, headed 5th, regained lead 3 out, ridden approaching 2 out, headed after 2 out, soon weakened, 5th of 7, 10l behind Dromnea (11-7) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f nov chs 0-123.
Caolaneoin (IRE) 7-1 (11-6) Close up, on terms 4th, led next, headed after 3 out, dropped towards rear from before 2 out, soon no extra, behind when not fluent last, last of 10, 44l behind Noah Webster (11-3) at Galway 2m hcp hdl gd in Sep.
Sitcom (IRE) 10-1 (11-3) Held up off pace in last, some modest progress after 3 out, kept on under hands and heels from 2 out, 7th of 9, 28l behind Leap Dearg (11-10) at Naas 2m hcp chs sft.
Third Opinion (IRE) 12-1 (11-1) Rear of mid-division, ran freely, progress into 5th halfway, 3rd at 8th, pushed along entering straight, 4th and no impression last, no extra, 4th of 11, 18l behind Down Under (10-11) at Leopardstown 2m 5f cond hcap ch in Dec.
Rafi De Triana (FR) 6-1 (11-3) Mid-division, bad mistake 1st, 6th 3 out, soon ridden, no impression from next, 6th of 9, 26l behind Leap Dearg (11-10) at Naas 2m hcp chs sft.
Paddy O Dee 33-1 (10-8) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden in 8th before 3 out, under pressure in 6th 2 out, no impression in 4th last, kept on into 3rd run-in, 3rd of 10, 5l behind Golden Ticket (11-5) at Punchestown 2m hcp chs sft in Dec.
