chased leaders, dropped to 6th approaching 2 out, no extra straight
towards rear, dropped to last 4 out, improved under pressure on outer straight, led after last, stayed on well
led, clear, tended to jump right, not fluent 3 out, soon reduced lead, clear again straight, slow jump last, soon headed and no impression, kept on same pace
chased leader, closed when hit 2 out, ridden approaching straight, weakened approaching last where mistake
soon chased leaders, moderate 2nd straight, no impression and kept on same pace from before last
held up, improved 4 out, 2nd early straight, lost place and no impression from before last
in rear, improved 4 out, 5th approaching 2 out, no impression and kept on same pace from before last
Lastoftheleaders was well supported on his first start over hurdles for a long time at Fairyhouse last month but looked in need of the outing. He's 20lb lower than over fences and can do better. After completing a hat-trick over fences, Arnaud reverted to hurdling at Downpatrick and scored in a canter. This is tougher but he's still reasonably treated and young enough to make further progress. MAXIM GORKY ran easily his best race to date when runner-up to Pink Coat in a Grade B handicap at Fairyhouse. A repeat of that should be good enough for this though Bishopslough made a cracking handicap debut behind City Slicker at Punchestown and has much more to offer. Tangled Web makes his handicap debut after landing a Ballinrobe maiden and is another consider in an open event.
Maxim Gorky (IRE) 10-1 (9-12) Tracked leaders, 4th 4 out, ridden in 2nd entering straight, kept on same pace in 2nd from last, 2nd of 13, 2l behind Pink Coat (9-10) at Fairyhouse 2m hcp hdl in Nov.
Rocky Wednesday (IRE) 7-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders on outer, close 3rd 3 out, soon ridden, weakened from 2 out, 5th of 6, 8l behind Smashing (10-12) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f hdl in Nov.
Lastoftheleaders (IRE) 5-1 (9-12) Towards rear, 10th 4 out, soon ridden and no impression, 10th of 13, 38l behind Pink Coat (9-10) at Fairyhouse 2m hcp hdl in Nov.
Bishopslough (IRE) 10-1 (10-4) Tracked leaders in 3rd, 4th halfway, mistake 4 out, headway to go 2nd 2 out, soon pushed along and no impression on winner approaching last, kept on same pace run-in, 2nd of 11, 4l behind City Slicker (10-6) at Punchestown 2m hcp hdl 0-140 in Nov.
Never Enough Time (IRE) 25-1 (11-11) Soon tracked leaders, led 3 out, pressed from before next, headed before last, kept on same pace run-in, 2nd of 16, 1 1/4l behind Dick Dundee (10-10) at Cork 2m hcp hdl 80-116 sft.
Asockastar (IRE) 14-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, closer in 4th halfway, mistake 4 out and pushed along in 5th when mistake 2 out, no extra, 7th of 18, 7l behind Spacious Sky (10-2) at Navan 2m hcp hdl 80-116 in Nov.
Wells China (IRE) 9-1 (10-4) Towards rear, progress from before 2 out, 5th at last, kept on same pace run-in, 5th of 16, 4l behind Hop In (10-8) at Navan 2m hcp hdl 8Evens23.
Arnaud (IRE) 4-5fav (11-5) Made all, clear from last, easily, won at Downpatrick 2m 2f hdl gd beating Seskinane (11-7) by 7l, 5 ran.
Blacklough (IRE) 10-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, 6th before straight, improved travelling smoothly 3 out, gained narrow lead before last, headed and kept on same pace closing stages, 2nd of 16, 3/4l behind Hop In (10-8) at Navan 2m hcp hdl 8Evens23.
Tangled Web (IRE) 9-4 (11-12) Chased leaders, 3rd early, 2nd halfway, improved to lead after 2 out, travelled best before straight, mistake last, ridden and kept on well run-in, won at Ballinrobe 2m mdn hdl sft in May beating Phillys Fancy (10-6) by 3l, 14 ran.
