chased leader, hampered 1st, slightly bumped 4th, 3rd halfway, improved to lead and dispute at 5th, ridden in lead after 2 out, joined again last when fell
mid-division early, closer behind leaders from 4th, 6th halfway, progress into 3rd 4 out, slight mistake 2 out and ridden, stayed on and closed on leaders last where mistake and hampered when left 2nd, pressed winner run-in, held in 2nd close home
chased leaders early, mid-division from 4th, no impression from 5 out, soon no extra
held up, slow 2nd and soon towards rear, never a factor
chased leaders, 5th halfway, 4th and bad mistake 3 out, soon no extra
led, jumped left 1st, soon disputed, not always fluent, slight mistake 3 out, ridden in 2nd after 2 out, stayed on to dispute last where pecked and left in lead, kept on under pressure run-in
always towards rear, slight mistake 3rd, no impression from 5 out
chased leaders, led and disputed after 1st, headed 5th, weakened 5 out, completely tailed off
chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden entering straight, no impression 2 out, kept on one pace, left 3rd last
held up, 9th halfway, no impression from 5 out, moderate 5th 2 out and left 4th last
mid-division, 8th halfway, moderate 6th and no impression 4 out, soon no extra
always towards rear, no impression from 5 out
ARVICO BLEU's close second to Le Richebourg at Listowel sets the standard. He's been beaten three times subsequently but the last two have been in tough handicaps. He could do with some rain but his overall form just about gives him the edge. Ex Patriot was having only his second start over fences when a very good fourth behind the smart Cilaos Emery at Gowran and can be expected to make further progress. Dolciano Dici scored over hurdles on very testing ground in France and his three runs over fences for Willie Mullins have all been on good going so we may not see the best of him until the heavens open. Stooshie makes his debut over fences and though only winning once over timber he ran in plenty of decent races and has a chaser's pedigree.
Arvico Bleu (IRE) 5-2 (11-9) Tracked leaders, led from 4th, ridden after 2 out, strongly pressed after last, joined close home, headed and no extra near line, 3rd of 7, nk behind Punches Cross (10-11) at Naas 2m hcp Good - Yielding in Jan.
Benruben (IRE) 33-1 (11-12) Led, slight mistake 5 out, headed before 3 out, soon no extra, weakened, 8th of 17, dist behind Cilaos Emery (11-12) at Gowran Park 2m sft in Jan.
Big Bad Brian (IRE) 16-1 (11-7) Towards rear, brought down 1st, at Fairyhouse 3m 1f hcp Yielding in Jan.
Churchtown Glen (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) Mid-division on inner, slightly hampered 5 out, ridden and no impression approaching next, mistake 2 out, kept on one pace, 7th of 13, 25 1/4l behind Bridies Boy (11-12) at Cork 2m 4f sft in Jan.
Dolciano Dici (FR) 14-1 (11-12) Prominent, not fluent 3rd, soon lost position and towards rear, slightly slow 4th, pulled up after 6th, at Leopardstown 2m 1f gd in Dec.
Ex Patriot (IRE) 16-1 (11-12) Tracked leader, 2nd 4 out and led before next, headed 2 out and soon ridden, no impression approaching last, kept on one pace run-in, 4th of 17, 6 1/2l behind Cilaos Emery (11-12) at Gowran Park 2m sft in Jan.
Fly De Megaudais (FR) 33-1 (10-12) Always towards rear, never a factor, 10th of 15, 19 3/4l behind Pegi Browne (11-6) at Gowran Park 2m hcp gd in Oct.
Sanibel Island (IRE) 25-1 (10-10) Towards rear, slight mistake 2nd, ridden and no impression after 3 out, moderate 5th when fell 2 out, at Thurles 2m 6f hcp gd in Jan.
Stooshie (IRE) 10-1 (11-8) Tracked leaders on inner, ridden in 3rd on inner entering straight, no impression on leaders in 3rd 2 out, moderate 4th at last, no extra, 4th of 10, 9 1/2l behind Eclair De Beaufeu (10-13) at Fairyhouse 2m gd in Jan.
Turbo (IRE) 6-1 (11-12) Led and soon went on, a little slow at 1st, reduced lead after 3 out, headed approaching last, soon dropped to 4th and no impression, no extra closing stages, 4th of 6, 22 1/4l behind Eclat Des Mottes (11-1) at Downpatrick 2m 6f mdn Yielding in Aug.
Whitmore Power (IRE) 25-1 (11-12) Always towards rear, never a factor, no extra after 5 out, 11th of 13, dist behind Bridies Boy (11-12) at Cork 2m 4f sft in Jan.
Fu's Island (IRE) 50-1 (11-7) Towards rear, no impression from 3 out, never a factor, 12th of 22, 25l behind Breesy Mountain (11-2) at Punchestown 2m hcp gd in Dec.
