in rear, closed to track leaders approaching straight, soon challenged, led from 2 out, stayed on well to assert run-in, comfortably
chased leaders, moderate 2nd from 2nd, slight mistakes 6th and 4 out, soon 3rd, lost place from next and a little short of room on inner, under pressure before straight, soon no impression
led, soon clear, reduced lead approaching 3rd where wandered and jumped left, jumped left next, went on again before 6th, came back to field from 3 out, pressed and joined 2 out where jumped left, soon headed, one pace run-in
held up, soon 4th, pushed along in last approaching straight, soon no impression, bad mistake last
chased leader early, moderate 3rd from 2nd, 2nd again from 4 out, pushed along approaching straight, 3rd 2 out, soon no impression, bad mistake last
Prince Kup had Holy Water behind at Gowran and the latter is expected to go well in the opener. Edward O'Grady's youngster gets the age allowance though this looks tougher. WINTER LION won a couple of staying handicaps on the Flat so it was no surprise when Keith Donoghue sent him to the front on his hurdling debut at Punchestown and he proceeded to make all. This is a better race but he looks a progressive type who can go in again. Baby Jake has won twice over timber and ran well behind Modem at Punchestown while After Rain came up against a smart prospect in Gangster at Listowel . The remaining pair are not out of this and it should be an informative contest.
After Rain (FR) 9-2 (11-5) Held up towards rear, slight mistake 5th, closer in 4th entering straight, ridden into 2nd 2 out, no impression on winner before last, kept on one pace, 2nd of 6, 8l behind Gangster (11-5) at Listowel 2m sft in Sep.
Beau Et Sublime (FR) 14-1 (11-0) Rear of mid-division, 13th halfway, pushed along and some progress approaching straight, no impression in 8th after 2 out, kept on one pace, 7th of 20, 10l behind Phil The Flyer (11-7) at Tipperary 2m hcp gd in Oct.
Runyon Rattler (IRE) 3-1fav (11-12) Settled behind leaders early, 4th and slight mistake at 4th, ridden in 3rd entering straight, no impression from 2 out, kept on one pace and dropped to 4th run-in, 4th of 10, 10 1/4l behind Tully East (11-12) at Listowel 2m mdn hvy in Sep.
Baby Jake (IRE) 13-2fav (11-2) Chased leader, ridden after 2 out, no impression on winner, kept on same pace, last of 2, 5l behind Modem (11-2) at Punchestown 2m gd in Oct.
Prince Kup (IRE) 15-8fav (11-7) Ran 6th, progress to 5th after 3 out, 4th 2 out, headway to lead narrowly last where not fluent, kept on well, comfortably, won at Gowran Park 2m mdn gd in Oct beating Holy Water (11-7) by 3 1/2l, 11 ran.
Winter Lion (IRE) 9-2 (11-12) Led, went on after 6th, reduced lead from before 2 out, pushed along and pressed approaching straight, soon joined, led again from last, stayed on best, won at Punchestown 2m mdn gd in Oct beating Supreme Vinnie (11-12) by 2 3/4l, 10 ran.
