tracked leader, 2nd halfway, headway to lead after 2 out and soon asserted, stayed on well run-in, very easily
chased leaders, 4th halfway, closer 3 out, pushed along and no impression next, no extra, kept on one pace
chased leaders, mid-division halfway, no impression in 5th early straight, no extra, not fluent last, kept on one pace
mid-division, 5th halfway, some headway to go 3rd 2 out, no impression when slight mistake and stumbled badly last, kept on one pace
always rear, never a factor, detached before 4 out, no extra approaching straight, weakened
led and soon clear, slow 3rd and reduced advantage, 4 lengths lead halfway, pushed along and headed after 2 out, not fluent last, no impression on winner run-in, kept on one pace
rear of mid-division, headway into 3rd before halfway, no extra after 3 out and soon weakened
always towards rear, never a factor, pecked 1st, detached before 4 out, no extra in straight
mid-division, 7th halfway, no impression early straight and no extra after 2 out
CITY ISLAND beat subsequent dual winner Valdieu in a Punchestown bumper and finished first past on his hurdling bow at Galway in August only to be disqualified after testing positive for an illegal substance. He put that behind him with an impressive victory over Dallas Des Pictons at Leopardstown on St Stephen's Day and the runner-up has subsequently won twice, including a lucrative handicap on the same track. In receipt of 7lb, Chavi Artist could snatch a place after a much-improved effort in a strong maiden won by The Big Dog at Gowran. The Echo Boy, a dual point-to-point winner, led for a long way on his hurdling bow over 2m4f at Fairyhouse and will have come on for the experience. He probably wants further but further rain would aid his cause. Paul Townend is a positive booking for An Fraoch Mor, who has shown up well in bumpers here and at Fairyhouse.
City Island (IRE) 15-8fav (11-12) Tracked leaders, switched right to outer into straight, led before last, stayed on well to assert run-in, won at Leopardstown 2m mdn Good - Yielding in Dec beating Dallas Des Pictons (11-12) by 3l, 18 ran.
Chavi Artist (IRE) 100-1 (11-10) Rear of mid-division, mid-division halfway, headway into 4th and slight mistake 3 out, ridden in 3rd after next, no impression run-in, 3rd of 17, 7 1/2l behind The Big Dog (11-10) at Gowran Park 2m 4f mdn sft in Jan.
Seeyouinvinnys (IRE) 33-1 (11-9) Rear of mid-division, jumped left at 1st, 13th entering straight, no impression, never a factor, 10th of 29, 35l behind Moratorium (11-12) at Navan 2m 4f mdn Yielding in Jan.
An Fraoch Mor (IRE) 12-1 (12-0) Mid-division on outer, ridden entering straight, no impression, 7th of 14, 23 1/2l behind Latest Exhibition (12-0) at Naas 2m 3f Yielding in Jan.
Cadougarde (FR) 20-1 (11-10) Always towards rear, ridden and no impression 4 out, soon no extra, 9th of 13, 34 3/4l behind The Holy One (11-10) at Thurles 2m mdn gd in Jan.
The Echo Boy (IRE) 10-1 (11-12) Led, not fluent at 5th, ridden and headed after 3 out, weakened, 6th of 15, dist behind Swordsman (11-9) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f mdn gd in Jan.
Edelweis De L'Aube (FR) 25-1 (11-8) Held up early, mid-division before halfway, 6th after 4 out, ridden in 4th and no impression 3 out, kept on one pace, moderate 5th when fell last, at Thurles 2m mdn gd in Jan.
Farranreigh (IRE) Morozov gelding out of Fair Gina.
Doyen's Diva (IRE) 66-1 (10-13) Chased leaders, slight mistake 1st, 4th halfway, ridden in 6th and no impression 3 out, kept on one pace, 5th of 13, 20 1/2l behind The Holy One (11-10) at Thurles 2m mdn gd in Jan.
