Vautour won this in 2013 and Willie Mullins saddles Bello Conti, who makes his debut for the yard after a promising third at Fontainebleu in February. He's one of four Gigginstown-owned entries with Gordon Elliott's impressive Thurles bumper winner Ball D'arc possibly the best of the quartet at this stage. EXACTORIS has a fine jumping pedigree and his bumper victories at Roscommon and Cork have been a bonus. He'll need to prove he acts on much more testing ground but looks the one to be on. St Stephens Green failed to act on heavy going after strong bumper form in the summer but Mountain Kingdom, who failed to win in 21 starts on the Flat, looks like being a better hurdler judged on his opening run on ground with some give at Fairyhouse.
Artic Pearl 50-1 (11-7) Towards rear, slight mistake 4th, never a factor, completely tailed off, 16th of 19, dist behind Marakoush (11-7) at Punchestown 2m 4f mdn sft in Nov.
Baily Moon (IRE) 33-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, mistake 1st, no extra from 8th, 11th of 19, dist behind Marakoush (11-7) at Punchestown 2m 4f mdn sft in Nov.
Ball D'Arc (FR) 2-1fav (11-11) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, improved to lead 2f out, ridden clear over 1f out, kept on strongly, easily, won at Thurles 2m Yielding in Nov beating Timmone (11-11) by 9l, 8 ran.
Bello Conti (FR) (10-5) 3rd of 16, 3 1/2l behind Orbasa (10-10) at Fontainebleau 2m 2f hvy in Feb.
Broken Soul (IRE) 33-1 (11-4) Soon chased leaders, 10th early, headway on outer 5f out, 12th before straight, soon no extra, 18th of 22, 28 3/4l behind Petit Mouchoir (11-4) at Punchestown 2m Good - Yielding in Apr.
Conna Cross (IRE) Lecroix gelding out of Country Time.
End of Line 12-1 (11-7) Always towards rear, ridden before 4 out, no impression and weakened, tailed off, 7th of 11, dist behind Cheiliuradh (10-9) at Wexford 2m 4f mdn gd in Oct.
Equal Status (IRE) 33-1 (11-7) Soon mid-division, no danger and kept on same pace from before 3 out, 6th of 19, dist behind Marakoush (11-7) at Punchestown 2m 4f mdn sft in Nov.
Exactoris (IRE) 10-3fav (11-10) Led early, soon disputed, headed after 3f, regained lead 4f out, ridden 2 1/2f out, kept on well from over 1f out, won at Cork 2m 3f gd in Oct beating Knockraha Boss (11-7) by 1l, 7 ran.
Forever Charmer (IRE) Fruits Of Love gelding out of Clonbrook Lass.
Goneoff (IRE) 40-1 (11-7) Always towards rear, no impression from 4f out, never a factor, 10th of 11, 22l behind Ballela Boy (11-7) at Naas 2m Yielding - Soft in Nov.
Jetantas (IRE) Basanta gelding out of Larrigan Jet.
Just Soldier (FR) 50-1 (8-4) Towards rear, ridden into 9th 2f out, kept on one pace straight, 7th of 14, 16 1/2l behind Benkei (9-8) at Galway 2m hcp Yielding in Jul.
Mountain Kingdom (IRE) 10-1 (11-2) Prominent, on terms from 4 out, led before 2 out, headed last where slight mistake, one pace, 2nd of 9, 2 3/4l behind Squouateur (11-2) at Fairyhouse 2m mdn Yielding in Nov.
Next Bend (IRE) 40-1 (10-3) Held up, a little keen, improved to be prominent when bad mistake 2 out, 7th before straight, soon no extra, 6th of 11, 14 1/4l behind Tully East (11-12) at Punchestown 2m hcp sft in Nov.
Prince Des Pres (IRE) Robin Des Pres gelding out of Thegoodwans Sister.
Racing's Dream 25-1 (11-8) Towards rear, no impression from 4 out, never a factor, 12th of 15, dist behind Disko (11-8) at Naas 2m 4f mdn Yielding - Soft in Nov.
Raleagh Mountain (IRE) Mountain High gelding out of Culmore Lady.
Senior Counsel (IRE) 8-1 (9-7) Chased leaders early, mid-division in 6th halfway, ridden over 2f out, close 5th 1 1/2f out, no impression 1f out, no extra final furlong, kept on one pace, 6th of 13, 7 1/4l behind Eye Of The Tiger (10-0) at Dundalk 2m hcp pol in Sep.
Shan Dun Na Ngall (IRE) 25-1 (8-7) Chased leaders, 8th halfway, pushed along 4f out and 10th 2f out, no impression 1f out, kept on one pace, 7th of 11, 9 3/4l behind Captain Carleton (9-11) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp pol in Sep.
Spring Forward (IRE) 80-1 (11-9) Mid-division best, ridden and no extra before straight, 16th of 22, dist behind Woodland Opera (11-12) at Navan 2m mdn sft in Nov.
St Stephens Green (IRE) 3-1fav (11-7) Tracked leaders, 3rd and pushed along from 3 out, soon no impression, one pace, 4th of 13, 24 3/4l behind Bleu Et Rouge (11-7) at Cork 2m mdn hvy in Nov.
Total Silence (IRE) 66-1 (11-7) Jumped slightly left 2nd, rear of mid-division, jumped slightly left 5th, no impression from 4 out, poor 7th and slight mistake 3 out, tailed off, 6th of 13, dist behind Bleu Et Rouge (11-7) at Cork 2m mdn hvy in Nov.
Wee Tiger (IRE) Craigsteel gelding out of Beauty Star.
Wolfslair (IRE) Yeats gelding out of Hidden Reserve.
Come Dance With Me (IRE) 66-1 (11-0) Towards rear for most, never a factor, 15th of 19, dist behind Marakoush (11-7) at Punchestown 2m 4f mdn sft in Nov.
My Painter (IRE) 8-1 (8-12) Close up, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 9th of 14, 7 1/4l behind Dutch Breeze (9-1) at Catterick 7f hcp (4) sft in Oct.
Twilight Shadow (IRE) 100-1 (11-2) Towards rear for most, no impression before straight, kept on one pace straight, 12th of 22, dist behind Woodland Opera (11-12) at Navan 2m mdn sft in Nov.
Water Sprite (IRE) 11-1 (9-1) Held up, ridden in 7th 3f out, no impression in rear straight, last of 8, 16 3/4l behind Sr Cartage (9-1) at Listowel 1m 1f hcp hvy in Sep.
