close up, led before 4th, headed 6th, led again 4 out, headed 3 out, soon ridden and weakened
tracked leaders in 3rd, 4th 4 out, improved into 2nd after 3 out, ridden and no impression from next, kept on under pressure
held up in rear, moderate 4th 3 out, no impression from before next, one pace
tracked leaders in 4th, jumped well, progress 4 out, led from 3 out, ridden and stayed on well from after 2 out, comfortably
led, jumped left 2nd and 3rd, headed before 4th, regained lead 6th, hit 4 out and headed, close up under pressure when blundered 3 out, no extra
NOBLE PRINCE made an impressive start to his chasing career with a win over C&D last month. He beat a couple of useful sorts on that occasion and Paul Nolan's charge looks a smart recruit to the chasing ranks. He should prove the one to beat with his main challengers looking closely matched on their form over fences so far. Realt Dubh scored on his chasing bow before falling at Galway last time and Gates Of Rome travelled well before a mistake put paid to his chances over 2m4f here last month, but Darcys Dancer has got his act together over fences now and could be the one to follow the selection home.
Darceys Dancer (IRE) 6-1 (11-1) Tracked leaders in 3rd, left 2nd from 3rd, disputed lead briefly 5 out, driven along to keep in touch after 3 out, ridden from next, no impression from last, stayed on without threatening closing stages, 2nd of 4, 2 1/2l behind Loosen My Load (11-5) at Punchestown 2m 2f nov chs (1) gd in Oct.
Gates Of Rome (IRE) 10-1 (11-12) Mid-division early, 9th halfway, ridden when mistake 3 out, no extra and kept on one pace, 9th of 18, 24l behind Thegreatjohnbrowne (11-12) at Punchestown 2m 4f beg chs in Oct.
Jigalo (IRE) 8-1 (11-7) Mid-division, 8th halfway, improved to challenge 2 out, ridden in 3rd last, no extra run-in, kept on same pace, 3rd of 11, 3 1/2l behind I Hear A Symphony (11-4) at Down Royal 2m hcp chs 0-130.
Realt Dubh (IRE) 11-10fav (11-1) Tracked leader in 2nd, improved to dispute before 4 out where fell, in a race won by Head Of The Posse (11-1) at Galway 2m 1f nov chs (1) gd in Oct, 5 ran.
Save My Blushes 10-1 (11-2) Chased leader in 2nd, ridden in 3rd 3 out, no extra in 4th next, kept on same pace, 4th of 8, 12l behind Hidden Cyclone (11-1) at Navan 2m nov hdl Grd 3 (1) sft.
Noble Prince (GER) 9-10fav (11-12) Settled behind leaders, 6th halfway, headway in 4th 4 out, improved to challenge 2 out where hampered, challenged last, pushed out to lead run-in, eased home, won at Punchestown 2m beg chs in Oct beating Healys Bar (11-12) by 1 3/4l, 8 ran.
