prominent, tracked leader until led 3rd, headed 5th, 3rd halfway, dropped to 4th when left 3rd again 5 out, ridden and no impression after 3 out, kept on one pace
held up towards rear, 7th halfway, hampered by faller 5 out, ridden and no extra from 3 out, pulled up before 2 out
led, headed 3rd, led again 5th, joined 5 out, slight mistake 4 out, narrowly headed 3 out, disputed again before straight, led 2 out, asserted and quickly went clear before last, kept on well
held up in rear, 6th halfway, slight mistake 4 out, ridden and no impression from 3 out, kept on one pace, never a factor
mid-division, slow jump 5th, 5th halfway, slightly hampered 5 out, ridden and no impression from 3 out, never a factor
tracked leaders, 2nd halfway, not fluent 9th, progress to dispute from 5 out, led narrowly 3 out, joined again before straight, ridden and not fluent 2 out, no impression before last, kept on one pace
chased leaders, 4th halfway, progress to 3rd and in touch with leaders when fell 5 out
SAMCRO's reputation took a battering last season after a brilliant novice campaign but he redeemed himself with an impressive debut victory over fences at Down Royal. He was tracking eventual winner Fakir D'Oudairies when falling two out in the Grade 1 Drinmore and has much more scope than main rival Faugheen. The former champion hurdler survived a very bad mistake to make a belated winning debut over the bigger obstacles at Punchestown and never goes down without a battle but he may find his younger rival holding too many guns this time. The remainder will need mishaps to the principals but Off You Go will be winning over fences soon and Wexford winner Castlebrook will enjoy the conditions more than most.
Castlebrook (IRE) 8-1 (11-1) Led, jumped well, joined entering straight, ridden 3 out, headed before next, 3rd before last, kept on well in 3rd inside final furlong, 3rd of 5, 3l behind Getabird (11-1) at Gowran Park 2m 4f hvy in Nov.
Demain Des L'Aube (FR) 6-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, 6th halfway, slight mistake 5 out, 5th 3 out, tracked leaders in 4th when fell next, at Thurles 2m 2f sft in Nov.
Faugheen (IRE) 8-11fav (11-12) Led, bad mistake 8th and headed, rider lost iron briefly, 3rd at 9th, 3rd when pecked on landing 3 out, close 4th on inner entering straight, pushed along in 2nd after 2 out, headway to lead at last, pushed out run-in, comfortably, won at Punchestown 2m 4f sft in Nov beating Walk Away (11-12) by 7 1/2l, 17 ran.
Glamorgan Duke (IRE) 12-1 (11-2) Raced in 3rd, 2nd when slight mistake 7th, one pace from 3 out, 2nd of 4, 10l behind Fury Road (11-2) at Navan 2m 4f (1) sft in Nov.
Off You Go (IRE) 5-1 (11-12) Waited with, 11th after 4th, soon some headway, closed up and effort from before last where fell, at Fairyhouse 2m 5f sft in Nov.
Samcro (IRE) 13-8 (11-10) Tracked leaders in 3rd, slight mistake 8th, 2nd from next, close up and every chance when fell 2 out, at Fairyhouse 2m 4f (1) sft in Dec.
Tintangle (IRE) 9-1 (11-1) Chased leaders, 3rd and mistake 4th, 4th and mistake 4 out, soon ridden and no impression before straight, left moderate 3rd and bad mistake 2 out, 3rd of 5, 34l behind Elimay (10-11) at Cork 2m 1f (1) sft in Dec.
