tracked leaders, 3rd at 6th, slight mistake 12th, improved to dispute lead 5 out, ridden and headed 3 out, soon dropped to moderate 3rd, no impression straight
in rear early and mistake 1st, went 4th at 7th, ridden in 4th 4 out, soon no impression
always behind, pushed along 8th, no impression from 4 out, pulled up before last
tracked leaders early, soon towards rear, no impression from 6 out, never a factor
tracked leaders, went 2nd from 6th, close 3rd 5 out, improved to dispute lead 2 out, ridden entering straight, headed at last, kept on same pace in 2nd run-in
made virtually all, joined 4 out, ridden and strongly pressed entering straight, led at last, stayed on well under pressure run-in
always behind, pushed along 8th, trailing when mistake 4 out, never a factor
Bumper winner PLEASANT COMPANY has failed to score over hurdles so far but will likely prove popular on his chasing bow representing Willie Mullins. He looks to have most to fear from Montys Meadow, third over these fences on his chasing debut earlier this month and preferred to Limerick fourth Wood Pigeon. Goulane Chosen will need to improve his jumping to get involved but winning hurdler Altiepix could go well for Gordon Elliott taking on the larger obstacles for the first time.
Altiepix (FR) 5-4fav (11-0) Chased leaders in 3rd, not fluent at times, pushed along after 4 out and soon dropped to 4th, no impression and eased from 3 out, tailed off, 4th of 5, dist behind Moylisha Tim (11-0) at Cork 3m (1) sft in Nov.
Goulane Chosen (IRE) 14-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, progress 10th, led briefly when mistake 3 out, pushed along in 4th and mistake next, no extra approaching last, kept on one pace (disqualified, rider weighed in light), last of 16, dist behind Shaneshill (11-12) at Thurles 2m 2f sft in Nov.
Mezendore (IRE) 100-1 (11-12) Mid-division, 6th halfway, pushed along and no impression in 8th before 3 out, left moderate 7th last, kept on one pace, 6th of 11, 25 3/4l behind Walk To Freedom (11-12) at Navan 2m 1f hvy in Dec.
Milanesque (IRE) 100-1 (11-12) Held up, 8th from 5th, bumped rival next, mistake 9th and bumped rival, not fluent 4 out, soon no danger in poor 3rd, 3rd of 10, dist behind Black Hercules (11-12) at Navan 2m 4f hvy in Dec.
Montys Meadow (IRE) 14-1 (11-12) Held up early, progress into 5th at 6th, closer in 3rd before 9th, slight mistake 3 out, soon ridden and no impression before next, kept on same pace, 3rd of 9, 12 1/2l behind Pont Alexandre (11-12) at Punchestown 2m 6f hvy in Dec.
Pleasant Company (IRE) 7-2fav (10-0) Held up in rear, moderate 14th and effort entering straight, headway into 4th at last, kept on without threatening run-in, never nearer, 4th of 22, 4 1/2l behind Sort It Out (10-12) at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp sft in May.
Wood Pigeon (IRE) 33-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, not fluent 9th, soon raced in 5th, impeded 11th, no impression approaching straight, moderate 4th before 2 out where slight mistake, one pace, 4th of 11, 23 3/4l behind Flaming Dawn (11-12) at Limerick 3m Yielding - Soft in May.
