towards rear, 8th at 6th, moderate 8th after 4 out, weakened in moderate 6th after 2 out, left moderate 5th last, tailed off
mid-division, not fluent at 1st, took closer order after 4th, 4th after 5th, 3rd 4 out, headway in 2nd before 2 out, under pressure in 3rd entering straight, no extra in moderate 3rd last
soon tracked leader, improved to 2nd after 5th, lost place before 2 out where dropped to 4th, weakened before last where fell
rear, progress in 7th at 6th, no impression in 5th before 3 out, weakened entering straight, left moderate 4th last, tailed off
soon tracked leader, disputed lead after 3rd, led narrowly before 5th, increased advantage after 2 out, reduced lead before last, ridden and kept on well run-in
towards rear, reminder in 9th after 4th, moderate 9th after 4 out, never a factor, weakened and pulled up before 2 out
soon led narrowly, disputed lead after 3rd, headed before 5th where not fluent and dropped to 3rd, 4th 4 out, lost place and weakened before 3 out, pulled up before last
in touch, dropped to 6th after 5th, ridden and weakened after 4 out, pulled up before 2 out
towards rear, progress after 3rd, 5th after 5th, improved to 4th before 3 out, headway in 3rd 2 out, 2nd entering straight, effort before last, ridden and kept on run-in, no impression on winner
in rear, detached after 4th, not fluent at 6th, weakened before 2 out, never a factor, completely tailed off
SALDIER, a dual Grade 1 winner over hurdles in his younger days and winner of the 2021 Galway Hurdle, comes late to chasing but he's continued to run at Grade 1 level over timber and should have far too much class for these. The Priests Leap has done all of his racing on testing ground and has plenty of experience over fences unlike Joseph O'Brien's French import Solness, who was beaten a long way over timber on his first start for the yard at Punchestown in November. Winning bumper and hurdler Pats Choice led for a long way on his chasing debut over 2m4f at Down Royal so should be ideally suited by this trip.
Battle Of Mirbat (IRE) 28-1 (11-12) Held up in rear, trailing before 4th, weakened before 5 out, completely tailed off, last of 3, dist behind Sir Gerhard (11-12) at Gowran Park 2m Soft - Heavy in Jan.
Francois (FR) 50-1 (11-12) Mid-division, closer in 6th halfway, ridden and no impression 4 out, no extra next, weakened, 11th of 14, dist behind Impervious (11-5) at Wexford 2m hvy in Oct.
Lucky Number 9-1 (8-12) Tracked leader, 3rd halfway, ridden 2f out, no extra over 1f out, 8th of 14, 5 1/4l behind Feature This (9-5) at Dundalk 1m hcp pol in Jan.
Ricky Bobby (IRE) 25-1 (11-5) Rear, 8th after 6th, progress to 6th 4 out, no impression before 2 out where not fluent, weakened, 7th of 8, dist behind Whiskeywealth (11-5) at Tramore 1m 7f hvy in Jan.
Saldier (FR) 40-1 (11-10) Held up towards rear, ridden 2 out, no impression in 6th entering straight, kept on one pace, 6th of 11, 25 1/4l behind Home By The Lee (11-10) at Leopardstown 3m (1) sft in Dec.
The Boys In Blue 250-1 (12-0) Waited with towards rear, under pressure from 8th, kept on same pace without threatening from after 4 out, 10th of 18, dist behind Pipers Meadow (12-0) at Punchestown 2m 4f mdn Good - Yielding in May.
The Priests Leap (IRE) 33-1 (11-12) Held up in 5th, 4th 3 out, ridden and no extra before 2 out, weakened and completely tailed off, last of 6, dist behind Gaelic Warrior (11-9) at Clonmel 2m 1f hvy in Jan.
Zanjabeel 125-1 (11-1) In rear, hampered 6th, no impression from 3 out, never a factor, 8th of 12, dist behind Whatsavailable (11-5) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f hcp Good - Yielding in Dec.
Solness (FR) 8-1 (11-9) Tracked leader, slight mistake 3rd, challenged before 3 out, disputed 3 out, headed and slight mistake 2 out, soon ridden and weakened, 5th of 6, dist behind The Model Kingdom (11-5) at Punchestown 2m Yielding in Nov.
Getaway Beauty (IRE) 300-1 (11-5) Always towards rear, never a factor, off pace after 2nd, slow 3rd, no danger before 3 out, completely tailed off, 13th of 16, dist behind Chavez (11-12) at Fairyhouse 2m Soft - Heavy in Jan.
Pats Choice (IRE) 6-1 (11-12) Led or disputed, hung left bend after 3rd, led halfway, slight mistake 3 out (usual 4 out), veered left and headed before next where mistake, soon ridden and weakened, 5th of 10, 22 1/2l behind Innovated (11-12) at Down Royal 2m 4f sft in Dec.
Read To Return (IRE) 80-1 (11-12) Mid-division, off pace after 2nd, pushed along in moderate 7th after 4 out, soon no danger, moderate 5th before 2 out, no impression, 5th of 16, dist behind Chavez (11-12) at Fairyhouse 2m Soft - Heavy in Jan.
