led 1st, soon well clear, jumped well, slightly reduced lead 5 out, came back to chasing pack from before last, headed and kept on same pace run-in
led briefly early, soon chased leaders, distant 3rd at 4th, inclined to jump slightly left, moderate 5th 3 out, progress to dispute 2nd at last, led run-in and stayed on best
towards rear early, soon in chasing pack well off pace, chased clear leader from 4 out, moderate 3rd 3 out, disputed 2nd at last, soon no extra and one pace
chased leaders, slight mistake 6th, towards rear and not fluent next, last at 8th and inclined to jump left from there home, tailed off before 4 out, pulled up before 3 out
held up, soon well off pace, improved to chase clear leader 4 out, moderate 4th next, no extra in 5th approaching last
towards rear, soon well off pace, never a factor, pulled up before 13th
slightly slow 2nd, distant 2nd at 4th, slight mistake 12th, some progress when not fluent 5 out, dropped to 4th under pressure and not fluent last, no extra
Vasco Du Mee couldn't cope when stepped up in class in the Paddy Power at Leopardstown but he deserved his chance in that company having been in excellent form at this sort of level previously. ON THE SHANNON (NAP) has never won under Rules but looked to have a very good chance at Leopardstown last time. He could only finish third behind Down Under but it was a better race than this and he gets another opportunity. Too Late To Sell won this easily a year ago and went up 15lb as a consequence. He raced in better company later and, though not seen since May, is likely to be fired up for a repeat. Portrait King stays extreme distances and if the ground comes up heavy than he would have to be considered while Rogue Angel has been biting off more than he can chew since an excellent run at Galway in October.
Rogue Angel (IRE) 20-1 (10-10) Mid-division, hampered 6th and soon towards rear, mistake 11th, weakened 5 out, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Living Next Door (10-9) at Leopardstown 3m hcap ch hvy in Dec, 26 ran.
Portrait King (IRE) 16-1 (10-8) Rear of mid-division best, ridden and weakened 4 out, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Living Next Door (10-9) at Leopardstown 3m hcap ch hvy in Dec, 26 ran.
Vasco Du Mee (FR) 16-1 (10-5) Always towards rear, mistake 6th, ridden and no impression after 4 out, weakened and pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Living Next Door (10-9) at Leopardstown 3m hcap ch hvy in Dec, 26 ran.
Loch Dara (IRE) 25-1 (10-11) Held up in rear, 8th 5 out, some progress when bad mistake 3 out, soon ridden and no impression, 6th of 11, well behind Sword Fish (11-1) at Fairyhouse 3m 1f hcp chs sft.
Too Late To Sell (IRE) 14-1 (9-10) Mid-division, closer in 6th 4 out, ridden in 5th next, kept on same pace straight, 5th of 19, 9l behind Unoccupied (9-12) at Punchestown 3m 6f hcp chs 0-145 in May.
Dazzlers Day (FR) 20-1 (10-13) Not fluent 2nd, soon chased leaders, 6th at 6th, pushed along approaching 7th where mistake, dropped towards rear 4 out, soon no extra, tailed off, 11th of 14, well behind Black Ice (10-13) at Limerick 2m 2f hcp hdl 80-103 hvy in Dec.
On The Shannon (IRE) 15-8fav (9-13) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, 2nd 4 out and led 2 out, ridden and headed run-in, no extra closing stages, 3rd of 11, 5l behind Down Under (10-11) at Leopardstown 2m 5f cond hcap ch in Dec.
