raced in 2nd, mistake 2nd, 3rd from 5th, chased winner from 2 out, soon no impression and one pace, dropped to 3rd run-in
raced in 5th, closer in 3rd after 4th and 2nd from 5th, closed up approaching straight travelling smoothly, soon on terms, led before 2 out, quickly asserted, mistake last, stayed on well run-in, comfortably
in rear, headway and effort to chase leaders but no impression from 2 out, kept on into 2nd without troubling winner run-in
raced in 4th, mistake 3rd, 5th after 4th, effort to chase leaders and kept on same pace from 2 out
led, slight mistake 6th, pressed approaching straight, soon joined, headed before 2 out, weakened
raced in 3rd, slight mistake 4th, soon 4th, effort and mistake 2 out, no impression after
WICKLOW BRAVE completed a hat-trick on the Flat before having a canter round to beat two inferior rivals at Listowel. He has a penalty to carry but can continue his winning ways before heading to Ascot for the Champion Long Distance Cup. His former stable companion Arctic Fire would have an outstanding chance of beating him if in the same form as when a close third to him in the Punchestown Champion Hurdle last year as he has a massive pull in the weights. However, his last victory was over 3m so this could prove on the short side nowadays. Plinth won this in 2015 but it's a long time since he showed that kind of form but stable companion Ivanovich Gorbatov is capable of a big run on this ground. Tombstone was chasing throughout last season and has plenty to find with the selection on the bulk of their form over timber.
Wicklow Brave 1-16fav (11-2) Made all, slight mistake 3 out, clear before straight, not extended, won at Listowel 2m gd in Sep beating My Manekineko (11-2) by dist, 3 ran.
Bedrock 3-1fav (8-8) In touch, ridden and weakened over 2f out, last of 8, 20 3/4l behind Reshoun (8-11) at Haydock 1m 6f hcp (2) hvy in Sep.
Plinth (IRE) 50-1 (10-11) Towards rear, last after 3rd, progress and effort on outer straight, no impression and kept on same pace without threatening from before last, 4th of 14, 9 1/4l behind Ballyoisin (10-10) at Listowel 2m hcp sft in Sep.
Arctic Fire (GER) 11-8fav (11-0) Raced in 5th early, soon 4th, 2nd travelling smoothly 3 out, led between last 2, slight mistake last, soon asserted, stayed on well, comfortably, won at Cork 3m gd in Aug beating Flaxen Flare (11-0) by 8l, 8 ran.
Dr Mikey (IRE) 3-1 (11-10) Soon led, slight mistakes 7th and 5 out, headed approaching 3 out, weakened, tailed off, 6th of 8, dist behind Arctic Fire (11-0) at Cork 3m gd in Aug.
Tombstone (IRE) 14-1 (11-8) Soon mid-division, 9th from 4th, not fluent 4 out, soon no impression, 6th of 18, dist behind Kemboy (11-10) at Punchestown 2m 5f hcp sft in Apr.
Ivanovich Gorbatov (IRE) 14-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders, slight mistake 1st, 5th after 3rd, under pressure from 3 out, lost position into straight, no extra and mistake last, 11th of 14, 19 1/4l behind Ballyoisin (10-10) at Listowel 2m hcp sft in Sep.
