led, mistake 3rd, joined 4th where jumped slightly right, soon headed and raced in 2nd, jumped right 5th, joined for 2nd 2 out, soon no impression in 4th, left 3rd from last
raced in 2nd, on terms 4th, soon led, travelling best from 2 out, stayed on well to soon assert from last, easily
raced in 3rd, mistake 3 out, disputed 2nd 2 out, soon tracked winner but not travel as smoothly, fell last
held up, last from 2nd, 4th at 5th, raced on far side straight, disputed 2nd 2 out, left 2nd and not match winner from last, one pace
held up, 4th from 2nd, not fluent 3rd, last when not fluent 5th, detached 4 out, soon under pressure and no danger
TWINLIGHT has a penalty to carry for his victory in the Grade 1 Dial-A-Bet at Leopardstown in December where he had Moscow Mannon and Mallowney well beaten. The latter has since returned to form in a Fairyhouse handicap but there doesn't seem an apparent reason for a form turnaround and Willie Mullins' charge, who didn't jump as well at Punchestown last time, can confirm the form and gain his ninth victory over fences. Moscow Mannon came good at around this time a year ago so could be a spring horse but Rathlin has never proved himself at this grade and Rocky Wednesday doesn't look experienced enough.
Twinlight (FR) 3-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, slight mistake 3 out, 3rd and no impression on winner approaching last, kept on one pace, 3rd of 6, 6l behind Hidden Cyclone (11-4) at Punchestown 2m chs G2 (1) sft.
Mallowney (IRE) 8-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders in 3rd, went 2nd before 5 out, led travelling well after 3 out, clear from next, stayed on strongly run-in, not extended, won at Fairyhouse 2m 1f hcap ch in Jan beating Bright New Dawn (11-1) by 10l, 9 ran.
Moscow Mannon (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Mid-division, 6th halfway, 5th and mistake 2 out, soon ridden, no impression before last, kept on one pace, 5th of 9, 11l behind Twinlight (11-12) at Leopardstown 2m 1f chs G1 (1) hvy in Dec.
Rathlin 25-1 (11-3) Held up, took keen hold, closer order when jumped slightly right 4 out, under pressure in last straight, soon no impression, one pace, last of 5, 17l behind Champagne Fever (11-8) at Gowran Park 2m 4f chs Grd 2 (1).
Rocky Wednesday (IRE) 11-2 (11-12) Prominent early, 5th from 4th, closer order 4 out, 2nd next, soon challenged travelling smoothly, led 2 out where left clear, stayed on well, easily, won at Down Royal 2m 4f beg chase beating Blue Bicycle (11-12) by 2 3/4l, 8 ran.
