held up, good headway on outer into 3rd halfway, disputed 5 out, led before 3 out, soon stretched clear, tiring when slight mistake at last, reduced advantage and kept on under pressure run-in
tracked leaders, 4th halfway, no extra in moderate 6th after 3 out, kept on one pace in straight
mid-division, headway into 3rd 3 out, soon no impression, moderate 3rd and kept on one pace in straight
always behind, tailed off
chased leaders, 6th halfway, ridden and no extra after 3 out, kept on one pace
led, joined 5 out, driven along and headed before 3 out, weakened
always towards rear
tracked leaders on inner, 5th halfway, no extra and weakened from 3 out
always behind, ridden after halfway, soon weakened, tailed off
always prominent, 2nd halfway, disputed 5 out, headed before 3 out, soon no impression on clear leader, kept on under pressure from 2 out, closed run-in but never looked like catching winner
tracked leaders in 2nd, lost place at halfway, no extra and weakened after 4 out
rear of mid-division, moderate 7th after 3 out, kept on one pace in straight
never a factor, driven along from halfway, no extra from 4 out
prominent early, mid-division halfway, no extra and lost touch after 3 out, moderate 6th approaching last, kept on without threatening
Not many of these have shown much over hurdles so far so Old Theatre Royal has to go on the short-list having won at Ballinrobe and finished second at Sligo (Korean third) last month. Jockey bookings suggest A Stones Throw may be the pick of Niall Malden's pair on his handicap bow and a View From The Top boasts winning form from the Flat, though has shown little aptitude for the winter game so far. That suggests LE REVEUR may be the one to beat if reproducing the form of his second to Green To Gold at Punchestown off today's 3lb higher mark.
