tracked leader, led narrowly at 2nd, headed at 3rd, 3rd after 4th, 4th after 7th, mistake at 10th, bumped and unseated rider after 11th
in rear, 7th after 7th, 5th at 12th, detached after 3 out, weakened, never a factor, completely tailed off
rear of mid-division, slight mistake at 1st, not fluent at 2nd, took closer order in 3rd after 7th, disputed lead from 9th, led 3 out, headed before 2 out, no impression on winner run-in
towards rear, headway at 3rd, disputed lead at 5th, led at 7th where not fluent, increased lead before halfway, mistake at 8th and reduced lead, disputed lead from 9th, headed 3 out, weakened in 3rd after 2 out
in touch, lost place after 4th, 6th after 7th, 4th at 12th, progress to 3rd at 13th, travelled well to lead before 2 out, driven out run-in
soon rear of mid-division, 5th after 7th, edged right at 11th, soon bumped rival and almost unseated jockey, 3rd at 12th where not fluent, dropped to 4th at 13th, mistake and fell 2 out
led, not fluent at 1st, headed at 2nd, led at 3rd, joined at 5th, headed at 7th, 3rd at 11th, soon pulled up injured
Gordon Elliott has won this five times in the last seven renewals and has two entries with Three Stripe Life possibly the pick. A Grade 1 winning hurdler, he was very impressive on his chasing debut at Naas and started favourite for the Drinmore at Fairyhouse but his saddle slipped after making a mistake. His stablemate Mighty Potter, an absentee here, won that 2m4f contest from GAILLARD DU MESNIL, another Grade 1 winner over timber and racing over a trip short of his best. The latter looks the one to beat with Irish National runner-up Frontal Assault best of the remainder.
Amirite (IRE) 3-1 (11-3) Held up in touch, 2nd at 2nd, disputed from 5th, bad mistake, nearly unseated rider and headed 8th, close 3rd 3 out, ridden when pecked 2 out, no impression in 3rd before last, kept on one pace, 3rd of 5, 4 1/4l behind Darrens Hope (10-10) at Punchestown 2m 7f (1) Yielding in Nov.
Barnacullia (IRE) 16-1 (11-4) Held up, 5th halfway, left 4th 4 out, ridden next, no impression in 3rd entering straight, kept on one pace, 3rd of 6, 13 1/2l behind Midnight Run (11-4) at Punchestown 2m 1f (1) Yielding in Nov.
Churchstonewarrior (IRE) 10-11fav (11-12) Mid-division, mistake at 7th, improved to 3rd before 8th where not fluent, slight mistake 3 out, no impression on leaders 2 out, disputed 2nd last, kept on in 2nd run-in, not trouble winner, 2nd of 9, 2 1/4l behind The Goffer (11-12) at Thurles 2m 6f Yielding in Nov.
Frontal Assault (IRE) 3-1fav (11-4) In rear, hampered at 1st, headway 4 out, ridden in 5th 3 out, soon no impression on leaders, kept on one pace, 5th of 18, 21 1/2l behind The Big Dog (11-10) at Navan 3m hcp sft in Nov.
Gaillard Du Mesnil (FR) 6-1 (11-12) Towards rear, 7th after 6th, headway after 10th, improved to 2nd 3 out, on terms 2 out, headed before last, kept on in clear 2nd run-in, no impression on winner, 2nd of 10, 4 1/2l behind Mighty Potter (11-12) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f (1) sft in Dec.
Three Stripe Life (IRE) 5-2fav (11-12) Rear of mid-division, progress to 5th after 6th, mistake at 8th and rider lost irons, dropped to rear and pulled up before 10th, at Fairyhouse 2m 4f (1) sft in Dec.
Unexpected Depth (IRE) 4-1 (11-12) Close up, 4th after 6th, 5th at 8th, effort in 4th after 4 out, no impression on principals after 2 out, kept on one pace before last, 4th of 9, 14 3/4l behind The Goffer (11-12) at Thurles 2m 6f Yielding in Nov.
Mighty Potter (FR) 3-1 (11-12) Soon close up, 2nd after 3rd, led at 10th, stumbled after 4 out, pecked 3 out, joined 2 out, led before last, kept on well run-in, won at Fairyhouse 2m 4f (1) sft in Dec beating Gaillard Du Mesnil (11-12) by 4 1/2l, 10 ran.
