chased leader, 2nd halfway, not fluent 4 out, progress to lead entering straight, soon ridden and asserted before last where not fluent, under pressure and kept on well run-in
chased leader, 3rd halfway, 4th 2 out, ridden and no impression on winner approaching last, went 2nd run-in and kept on one pace
chased leader, 6th halfway, 5th 2 out, ridden and in 4th approaching last, kept on one pace run-in
led, not fluent 4th and 4 out, mistake 3 out, headed after next, dropped to 5th approaching last, no extra
chased leader, 5th halfway, went 3rd 2 out, 2nd and no impression on winner when slight mistake last, no extra run-in
chased leader, 3rd halfway, pushed along and dropped to rear 2 out, no impression early straight, rallied and kept on into 4th run-in
Avant Tout, a very easy winner of a bumper in France, scored by 15 lengths on his debut for Willie Mullins at Tramore where he was left clear when Utmost Zeal fell at the last. He would have won anyway but the latter has been well beaten since and the form doesn't amount to much. Ruby Walsh picks him over AMINABAD but the latter's maiden success at Wexford has been boosted by the subsequent victories of the three that followed him home so he's handed the vote. The Grade 1 at Fairyhouse won by Nichols Canyon from All Hell Let Loose hasn't worked out and the runner-up has since blotted his copybook with a very poor run on heavy going at Limerick so he wouldn't want any more rain. Bentelimar landed a novices' handicap over 2m4f at Leopardstown and this may prove on the short side while Mr Diablo hasn't quite progressed as expected after his maiden success here in October. O Ceallaigh was a 33/1 chance when beating the long odds-on Stuccodor at Fairyhouse on New Year's Day and will need to find more.
Bentelimar (IRE) 10-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, stumbled after 2 out, ridden straight and left 2nd last, led run-in and edged left under pressure, kept on, won at Leopardstown 2m 4f nov hcp hdl sft in Dec beating Sir Abbot (11-7) by 1l, 14 ran.
All Hell Let Loose (IRE) 7-4fav (11-11) Mid-division, 5th halfway, pushed along in 4th 3 out where not fluent, no impression from before straight, 3rd of 7, 48l behind Captainofthefleet (11-4) at Limerick 2m 3f hdl hvy in Dec.
Mr Diablo (IRE) 8-1 (11-5) Tracked leader, 2nd halfway, led approaching straight, ridden before last and headed early run-in, no impression on winner, 2nd of 13, 2l behind Shemshal (11-5) at Leopardstown 2m nov hcp hdl sft in Dec.
O Ceallaigh (IRE) 33-1 (11-12) Made virtually all and took keen hold early, clear with sole rival after 3 out, ridden 2 out, stayed on well from last, reduced advantage close home, won at Fairyhouse 2m mdn hdl sft in Jan beating Stuccodor (11-12) by 2 1/2l, 22 ran.
Aminabad (FR) Evensfav (11-9) Chased leaders, closer in 3rd 3 out, went 2nd at last, led on inner run-in, kept on well, comfortably, won at Wexford 2m 2f mdn hdl in Nov beating Domesday Book (11-1) by 1 1/4l, 9 ran.
Avant Tout (FR) 4-9fav (11-10) Settled 4th, progress into 2nd 4 out, pushed along behind clear leader 3 out, ridden and closer in 2nd before 2 out, pressed leader 2 out, led at last, left clear, driven out, won at Tramore 2m mdn hdl sft in Jan beating Germany John (11-4) by 15l, 12 ran.
