mid-division, progress 4 out, improved to dispute lead 3 out, ridden from next, under pressure and disputing lead when fell at last
tracked leaders, pushed along in 7th 3 out, ridden in 6th next, moderate 5th and left 4th at last, no impression
always behind, mistakes early, pushed along after 4 out, no impression from next
tracked leaders on outer, headway entering straight, improved to dispute lead travelling well 3 out, disputing lead travelling well when left clear at last, pushed out briefly run-in, stayed on well, comfortably
rear of mid-division, mistake 4 out, progress entering straight, ridden in moderate 4th 2 out, 4th and left 3rd at last, went 2nd inside final furlong, not trouble winner
tracked leader in 2nd, led from 5th, headed and ridden entering straight, soon no impression, moderate 6th when fell at last
mid-division, ridden in 8th 3 out, soon no impression, moderate 7th and left 5th at last
led, slight mistake and headed 5th, ridden after 4 out, soon weakened
tracked leaders on outer, 2nd 4 out, led briefly entering straight, ridden and headed 3 out, moderate 3rd and left 2nd at last, no extra in 3rd again inside final furlong
towards rear, some progress into 6th and pushed along entering straight, 6th when bad mistake and unseated rider 3 out
Herminator scored over fences in France and his future lies over the bigger obstacles as he was a long way behind DUKE CASS at Punchestown on New Year's Eve. That was over 2m4f but the winner had won his previous two races over this trip and his superb jumping can see him complete a four-timer. Jack The Wire also finished a long way ahead of Herminator when scoring at Listowel in September where he was completing a double though he hasn't been in such good form subsequently. Kalopsia has won twice over hurdles but her best run came when runner-up to Sunni May at Punchestown though she was beaten a long way in a four-runner race at Thurles when two of her opponents fell. Gordon Elliott had several entered at the early stage and relies on Cadeau Du Bresil, who is making steady progress but will need to improve again from his victory at Limerick. Amaulino arrived from France with a big reputation and was sent straight into Grade 2 company at Leopardstown where he ran well enough to suggest he can get into contention here while Thirsty Work won a handicap at Leopardstown with a very game display and is no forlorn hope.
Duke Cass (IRE) 5-2fav (10-8) Mid-division on inner, closer in 5th 4 out, headway to lead 2 out, went clear approaching last, pushed along early run-in, ridden inside final furlong, kept on close home, all out, won at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp sft in Dec beating Mine Now (10-13) by hd, 10 ran.
Herminator (FR) 5-1 (11-4) Tracked leader in 2nd, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, 7th of 10, dist behind Duke Cass (10-8) at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp sft in Dec.
Kalopsia (IRE) 20-1 (11-1) Raced off pace in 4th, moderate 4th after 4 out, soon moderate 3rd, left moderate 2nd 3 out, no impression in moderate 3rd at last where left moderate 2nd, 2nd of 4, 37l behind Shattered Love (10-11) at Thurles 2m lst (1) sft in Dec.
Thirsty Work (IRE) 6-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, improved to challenge 2 out, soon led, ridden entering straight, strongly pressed last, kept on well under pressure run-in and asserted closing stages, won at Leopardstown 2m hcp Yielding in Dec beating Tudor City (11-4) by 1 3/4l, 11 ran.
Cadeau Du Bresil (FR) 6-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, ridden into 2nd entering straight, pressed leader before 2 out where slight mistake, stayed on again to lead last, kept on well run-in, won at Limerick 2m mdn Yielding in Dec beating Field Robin (10-11) by 3l, 14 ran.
Vinalhaven (FR) 25-1 (11-12) Disputed lead early, 4th after 3rd, pushed along 3 out, soon lost place and no extra after 2 out, 9th of 11, 34 3/4l behind Bacardys (11-12) at Leopardstown 2m mdn Yielding in Dec.
Runyon Rattler (IRE) 40-1 (9-10) Led, joined from before last, soon headed and no extra, one pace, 9th of 20, 5 1/4l behind That's A Wrap (10-2) at Leopardstown 2m hcp Yielding in Dec.
American Image (IRE) 66-1 (11-12) A little keen, soon led, joined 3 out, headed from next, lost place and no extra into straight, 7th of 11, 33l behind Bacardys (11-12) at Leopardstown 2m mdn Yielding in Dec.
Amaulino (FR) 50-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, mistake 3rd, soon moderate 6th, under pressure from 3 out, kept on same pace from before next, 5th of 10, 23 3/4l behind Bapaume (10-12) at Leopardstown 2m (1) Yielding in Dec.
Jefferson Davis (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) Towards rear, closer in 9th 3 out, no impression from next, never a factor, 10th of 14, dist behind Dakota Moirette (11-0) at Punchestown 2m mdn sft in Dec.
Jack The Wire (IRE) 20-1 (10-6) Led and disputed, headed 7th, close up and slight mistake 2 out, soon ridden and no extra, 15th of 25, 26 3/4l behind Electric Concorde (10-11) at Leopardstown 3m hcp Yielding in Dec.
