led after 1st, joined 6th, mistake and headed 8th, pushed along and lost place before 5 out, no extra, behind and pulled up before 3 out
tracked leaders, 7th halfway, pushed along and dropped towards rear before 5 out, no extra and detached approaching straight, weakened
rear of mid-division, some headway after halfway, mistake 4 out, soon pushed along and no extra, behind and pulled up before next
rear of mid-division, never a factor, towards rear before 9th, no extra after 4 out, behind and pulled up before next
tracked leaders, 5th halfway, 3rd 4 out, pushed along and no impression 3 out, soon no extra, weakened
mid-division, 6th halfway, ridden and no impression approaching 3 out, kept on one pace
always towards rear, never a factor, pushed along and no impression before 4 out, behind and pulled up before 3 out
tracked leaders, 2nd before 4 out and headway to lead 3 out, ridden to assert before next, stayed on well
mid-division on inner, slight mistake 2nd, rear of mid-division when mistake 4 out, no extra, behind and pulled up before next
towards rear, pushed along after 2nd, some headway on outer before 6th, pushed along towards rear after 9th, ridden and no extra after 4 out, pulled up before next
rear of mid-division, headway into 4th 4 out, pushed along and no impression before next, ridden and kept on one pace
tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, pushed along early straight, ridden and no impression on winner in 2nd 2 out, kept on one pace
led early, tracked leader and headway to dispute 6th, led 8th, ridden and headed 3 out, no extra from next, weakened
rear of mid-division, some headway before 4 out, pushed along entering straight and no impression 3 out, under pressure and kept on one pace
mid-division, pushed along and some headway in 4th 3 out, ridden in 3rd next, no impression when mistake last, kept on one pace run-in
Champagne West won this tough handicap last year from Ucello Conti with Pleasant Company fourth. The winner is just 5lb higher but has run so poorly in his last two starts that he's overlooked this time. The runner-up reappeared in the Paddy Power last month with a tremendous effort to occupy the same spot and is greatly respected as is his stable companion Out Sam, who was having his first start for the yard in that latter event - James Bowen is an eye-catching booking. The progressive Monbeg Notorious is another from the Gordon Elliott yard and he makes his handicap debut on a reasonable mark but the vote, in a wide-open contest, goes to ISLEOFHOPENDREAMS. Willie Mullins' charge has only run once over fences, an easy victory at Cork just over a year ago, but his trainer has won this in recent years with On His Own and Djakadam so knows exactly what's required.
Champagne West (IRE) 11-4 (11-9) Led, joined 8th, mistake and headed next, close up again before 10th, dropped to 3rd before 5 out, ridden and no extra after 3 out, weakened, 3rd of 4, dist behind Bachasson (11-9) at Tramore 2m 5f lst (1) hvy in Jan.
A Genie In Abottle (IRE) 10-1 (10-13) Held up towards rear, mistake 6th, pushed along after 17th, never on terms, 9th of 20, dist behind Total Recall (10-8) at Newbury 3m 2f hcp (1) gs in Dec.
Ucello Conti (FR) 25-1 (11-5) Mid-division early, 12th at 7th, moderate 11th at 9th, moderate 7th approaching 3 out and progress, 5th into straight, chased winner before last, kept on same pace, 2nd of 28, 7l behind Anibale Fly (11-8) at Leopardstown 3m Yielding in Dec.
Pleasant Company (IRE) 16-1 (11-7) Held up, soon towards rear, kept on same pace without threatening from 2 out, 14th of 28, 35 1/4l behind Anibale Fly (11-8) at Leopardstown 3m Yielding in Dec.
Sumos Novios (IRE) 6-1 (11-7) Mid-division, took closer order at 6th, 6th after 7th, 5th 3 out, headway to 2nd 2 out, soon ridden, no impression on winner, kept on same pace, 2nd of 15, 5l behind De Benno (9-12) at Limerick 2m 4f hcp hvy in Dec.
Thunder And Roses (IRE) 40-1 (11-3) Soon prominent, 2nd at 7th, clear of remainder with leader from 9th, came back to field and dropped to 3rd into straight, soon no extra, one pace, 8th of 28, 22 1/2l behind Anibale Fly (11-8) at Leopardstown 3m Yielding in Dec.
Flaxen Flare (IRE) 16-1 (10-12) Held up, 16th at 7th, some headway but no impression when bad mistake last, weakened, 18th of 28, dist behind Anibale Fly (11-8) at Leopardstown 3m Yielding in Dec.
Monbeg Notorious (IRE) 8-11fav (11-12) Led, mistake 2nd, slow next, joined briefly 6th and 10th, joined again briefly 4 out, asserted entering straight, stayed on well to draw clear run-in, comfortably, won at Punchestown 3m 1f Soft - Heavy in Dec beating Augustin (11-12) by 7 1/2l, 5 ran.
Isleofhopendreams 7-1jfav (10-10) Held up, moderate 15th after 4th, no extra and pulled up before final hurdle, at Leopardstown 3m hcp sft in Dec.
Call The Taxie (IRE) 16-1 (10-9) Mid-division early, 10th at 7th, fell 10th, at Leopardstown 3m Yielding in Dec.
Woods Well (IRE) 25-1 (10-9) Held up, soon towards rear, impeded 9th, pulled up next, at Leopardstown 3m Yielding in Dec.
Wounded Warrior (IRE) 14-1 (11-3) Soon close up and disputed, headed 3 out, weakened straight, 8th of 14, dist behind Presenting Percy (11-10) at Fairyhouse 3m 5f hcp sft in Dec.
Fine Theatre (IRE) 9-2jfav (10-12) Chased leader, 3rd after 7th, progress to 2nd after 4 out, ridden and lost place approaching straight, 6th 2 out, kept on in 4th before last without threatening, 4th of 15, 12 1/2l behind De Benno (9-12) at Limerick 2m 4f hcp hvy in Dec.
Out Sam 20-1 (10-6) Held up, impeded 9th, progress from before 2 out, kept on same pace without threatening straight, 10th of 28, 24 1/4l behind Anibale Fly (11-8) at Leopardstown 3m Yielding in Dec.
Space Cadet (IRE) 25-1 (10-6) Held up, 17th at 7th, moderate 12th at 9th, progress from before 2 out, kept on same pace without threatening straight, 9th of 28, 23 1/4l behind Anibale Fly (11-8) at Leopardstown 3m Yielding in Dec.
