chased leader in 2nd, disputed 6f out, led 5f out, pressed 2 1/2f out, ridden 1 1/2f out, pressed again 1f out, kept on, headed last 50 yards, no extra
chased leaders early, soon mid-division, dropped towards rear halfway, ridden and weakened over 5f out, tailed off
chased leaders, 3rd halfway, improved to challenge 2 1/2f out, ridden in 2nd 1 1/2f out, pressed leader again 1f out, kept on and every chance inside final furlong, no extra in 3rd close home
rear, ridden and no impression 6f out, soon weakened and tailed off
led, joined 6f out, headed 5f out, soon weakened, tailed off
soon settled behind leaders, 5th halfway, closer in 3rd 6f out, ridden in 4th 3f out, stayed on in 3rd 1 1/2f out, closer 1f out, kept on well inside final furlong to lead last final 50 yards
chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden in 3rd 2 1/2f out, no extra in 4th 1f out, kept on one pace
held up early, mid-division in 6th halfway, ridden in 5th 3f out, no extra before straight, weakened
held up towards rear, mid-division in 7th 6f out, ridden in 6th 3f out, no extra before straight, weakened
Mount Pelier struggled in very testing conditions at Navan in March but his earlier form on slightly better ground puts him in the frame for this. VALDIEU couldn't quite hold the finishing burst of City Island at Punchestown in May but Noel Meade's charge looks the type to do better this winter and can take this before heading for hurdles. Acronym came in for some support at Limerick in May and, though he could only stay on at one pace, will have improved for the experience. Pakens Rock was staying on when the race was over at Punchestown earlier this month and has a fitness advantage over most of these.
Acronym (IRE) 7-2 (11-7) Held up in touch, 7th approaching halfway, chased leaders but no impression from before straight, kept on same pace, 4th of 10, 14 3/4l behind Gallowglass (11-7) at Limerick 2m Good - Yielding in May.
Baile Liam (IRE) 14-1 (11-12) Always towards rear, went moderate 5th before 2 out, never a factor, 5th of 8, 18 3/4l behind Vocarium (11-12) at Gowran Park 2m mdn gd in Oct.
Fortune Street (FR) 9-1 (11-9) Held up, impeded after 2f, pushed along to go 5th approaching straight, soon no extra, 6th of 11, 36 1/4l behind Blackbow (11-9) at Leopardstown 2m Yielding in Dec.
Lahloob (USA) Bernardini gelding out of Christmas Gift.
Lostinvillierstown (IRE) 66-1 (12-0) Held up, took keen hold, raced in 13th early, pushed along under 6f out, no extra straight, 14th of 15, dist behind Ballydunblaze (11-3) at Navan 2m gf in Sep.
Mount Pelier (IRE) 9-4fav (12-0) Tracked leaders on inner, ridden in 4th under 3f out, soon no impression, kept on one pace, 4th of 9, 19 1/2l behind Rio Vivas (12-0) at Navan 2m hvy in Mar.
Pakens Rock (IRE) 33-1 (12-0) Towards rear, moderate 7th 4f out, ridden in moderate 6th entering straight, no impression, 5th of 9, 9 3/4l behind Chapmanshype (11-10) at Punchestown 2m gd in Oct.
Popcorn Sutton (IRE) 100-1 (12-0) Mid-division best, ridden and dropped towards rear 5f out, soon weakened and tailed off, 12th of 15, dist behind Gran Geste (11-10) at Thurles 2m Yielding in Oct.
Sinbad (IRE) 20-1 (12-0) A little keen, chased leaders, 6th before halfway, pushed along before straight, soon weakened, 7th of 10, 33 1/4l behind Kerry Star (11-7) at Clonmel 2m Good - Yielding in Sep.
Valdieu (FR) 11-4 (12-0) Tracked leaders on inner, pushed along approaching straight, headway 2f out and ridden in 2nd over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, no impression on winner closing stages, 2nd of 14, 1 1/2l behind City Island (12-0) at Punchestown 2m gd in May.
