soon led, ridden and headed entering straight, soon weakened quickly
rear of mid-division on outer, no impression from 4 out, never a factor
held up towards rear, headway after halfway, 5th 4 out, ridden in 3rd 2 out, moderate 2nd at last, kept on one pace run-in
mid-division, 8th 4 out, ridden from next, kept on one pace from 2 out, never a factor
tracked leaders in 3rd, 2nd halfway, led entering straight, ridden clear from 2 out, stayed on strongly run-in, easily
soon tracked leaders in 3rd, ridden in 3rd 3 out, no impression from next
tracked leaders, ridden in 5th 3 out, no impression from next
always behind, trailing from 6th, no impression from 4 out
mid-division on inner, slight mistake 8th, ridden and weakened from 4 out
towards rear, fell 3rd
tracked leaders in 5th, moderate 6th 3 out, pushed along next, moderate 4th at last, kept on without threatening to go 3rd inside final furlong, never nearer
in rear, pushed along briefly 5th, no impression from 4 out, never a factor
always behind, trailing from 4 out, pulled up before 2 out
St Maxime completed a hat-trick on quick ground in the summer of 2015 and was having his first start since that year when brought down over fences at Fairyhouse a fortnight ago. He could still be well handicapped and is one to note in the market. Dounikos has been given a break after a poor run when odds-on at Thurles in December and that was nowhere near his form. Winning point-to-pointer NICOLE'S MILAN hadn't shown much until a narrow victory at Fairyhouse last month but it was no surprise when he followed up on the same track. He hasn't been badly treated in the ratings and a hat-trick beckons. Emma Beag loves testing ground so any further rain would aid her cause though the main threat to the selection could come from stable companion Soir De Chantenay, three times a winner in France and just starting to get to grips with the job here.
Dounikos (FR) 8-11fav (11-10) Led, pushed along and headed before 2 out, dropped to 3rd and ridden after 2 out, weakened to 4th run-in, last of 4, 36l behind Teacher's Pet (11-4) at Thurles 2m 7f sft in Dec.
Man With Van (IRE) 25-1 (10-4) Chased leaders, unseated rider 5th, at Haydock 3m hcp (1) hvy in Jan.
Rightdownthemiddle (IRE) 20-1 (10-3) In rear, slightly impeded 2 out, hampered entering straight, ran on without threatening run-in, 7th of 18, 3 3/4l behind A Toi Phil (10-13) at Leopardstown 2m 5f hcp gd in Jan.
Captain Von Trappe (IRE) 16-1 (9-11) Reminders and dropped to rear after start, last when fell heavily 3rd, at Punchestown 3m 4f hcp sft in Feb.
Mad Brian (IRE) 25-1 (9-11) Mid-division, moderate 7th 6 out, ridden in moderate 6th after 3 out, kept on one paced straight, 4th of 15, 23 1/4l behind Baie Des Iles (10-11) at Punchestown 3m 4f hcp sft in Feb.
Futuramic (IRE) 6-1 (11-0) Mid-division, 5th halfway, ridden in 4th approaching straight, no extra after 2 out, weakened, tailed off, 8th of 15, dist behind Notwhatiam (11-4) at Gowran Park 2m 4f hcp sft in Jan.
Stolberg (IRE) 33-1 (10-2) Held up, 8th from 5th, some headway 3 out, no extra approaching last, 7th of 12, 21 3/4l behind Oscar Sam (11-10) at Leopardstown 3m hcp gd in Jan.
Topper Thornton (IRE) 25-1 (11-8) Chased leaders early, soon mid-division, towards rear halfway, some progress and mistake 8th, soon towards rear again, mistake 1tth, pulled up before next, at Fairyhouse 3m 1f hcp sft in Jan.
Soir De Chantenay (FR) 12-1 (10-6) Rear of mid-division, some progress after 4 out, moderate 7th entering straight, kept on one pace, never a factor, 5th of 15, 14 1/2l behind Notwhatiam (11-4) at Gowran Park 2m 4f hcp sft in Jan.
Emma Beag (IRE) 9-2 (9-13) Chased leader, led before 2nd, pressed from 4 out, ridden and headed entering straight, no extra in 5th 2 out, weakened, 5th of 10, dist behind Shannak (10-10) at Fairyhouse 3m hcp sft in Jan.
Nicole's Milan (IRE) 10-3fav (10-11) Soon mid-division, 12th at 3rd, improved into moderate 3rd approaching straight, closed in 2nd 2 out, soon gained narrow lead, joined at last where slight mistake, led again and stayed on well run-in, won at Fairyhouse 2m 4f hcp Soft - Heavy in Feb beating Logical Song (11-12) by 1 1/4l, 19 ran.
St Maxime (IRE) 25-1 (11-8) Towards rear, moderate 8th before 4 out where brought down, at Fairyhouse 2m 5f hcp Soft - Heavy in Feb.
Aimin For Anna (IRE) 50-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, 5th 4 out, ridden and no impression approaching 3 out, no extra, weakened, 9th of 18, dist behind Boru Boy (11-12) at Cork 3m mdn hvy in Jan.
Kilkishen (IRE) 7-1 (11-13) Chased leader, 4th halfway, 2nd 5 out, ridden after 3 out, under pressure in 5th 2 out, no impression before last, kept on same pace into 3rd run-in, no impression on leaders, 3rd of 11, 5 3/4l behind Blackthorn Prince (10-11) at Clonmel 3m hcp gd in Oct.
Mister First (FR) 66-1 (12-0) In rear, closer in 10th at 17th, ridden and no impression from 4 out, 7th of 14, 33l behind Auvergnat (11-4) at Punchestown 3m sft in Feb.
