tracked leaders, jumped well, ridden to challenge after 2 out, kept on well closing stages
made all, pressed from 4 out, driven when challenged before last, stayed on gamely
held up in rear, struggling before 4 out, soon beaten, plugged on, modest 5th
prominent, mistake 2nd, lost place before 4 out, kept on under pressure, modest 4th
pulled hard tracking leader, joined leader 4 out, under pressure after next, weakened after 2nd last
Gibralfaro was fair sort on the Flat in France and made a winning debut over timber at Kempton when beating a previous winner. He looks the danger to CONNETABLE, who won at Compeigne in April and was then third in a decent contest at Auteuil in which recent Newbury Fixe Le Cap was fourth. The second in that race, Footpad, has won twice for Willie Mullins this season and the winner landed a Grade 2 in November so the form has a very solid look about it. Swincombe Toby jumped poorly and finished tired when second at Exeter and neither Jinsha Lake nor Sea Serpent make much appeal after ordinary debuts.
Connetable (FR) (10-7) 3rd of 14, 1 1/2l behind Punch Nantais (10-10) at Auteuil 2m 1f gs in May.
Gibralfaro (IRE) 9-1 (10-12) Keen early, held up, headway on inside 3 out, went 5 lengths 2nd when not fluent 2 out, jumped right and not fluent last, still 4 lengths down flat, finished strongly to lead close home, won at Kempton 2m (3) gs in Dec beating Duke Of Medina (11-4) by 1/2l, 7 ran.
Jinsha Lake (IRE) 7-1 (10-12) Held up 4th and last, left 3rd at 3rd, close up 3 out, outpaced before next, soon no chance with front pair, 3rd of 4, 22 3/4l behind Fingertips (11-8) at Sandown 2m (3) sft in Dec.
Sea Serpent (FR) 33-1 (10-12) Held up behind in touch, blundered 4 out, outpaced next, weakened 2 out, 5th of 7, 37l behind Fixe Le Kap (10-12) at Newbury 2m (3) sft in Dec.
Swincombe Toby 15-8 (10-12) Led to 4 out, ridden after last, wandered badly run-in, kept on same pace, finished tired, 2nd of 5, 3 3/4l behind Jaboltiski (11-5) at Exeter 2m 1f (4) hvy in Nov.
