The most speculated prize of the season is up for grabs and we take Apt Approach to secure it with Zaarito and Corskeagh Royale put up as the alternatives. Apt Approach is one of a block entry from the Willie Mullins academy and this half brother to Feathered Gale looks the pick. Well touted prior to his debut at Navan, he duly obliged and looks open to any measure of improvement. Zaarito has beaten the best that can be thrown at him in his native land. He won carrying a double penalty last time out and in hot Irish bumpers, this is a feat that takes some doing. Noel Meade's horses can never be ruled out and Corskeagh Royale looks the pick of his team. Quickening ground might be a worry although he appeared to handle Navan's "good to yielding" surface without too many ills. Cousin Vinny won on debut at Punchestown in February despite meeting significant interference earlier in the piece. Drive On Regardles has more experience than most and trainer Willie Mullins has made no secret of the fact that he will be even better on good going. Ex-pointer, Mahonia, could be the best of the home team. This is a much tougher assignment than his Chepstow victory. Gold Award was considered too backward to run on the flat for Sir Michael Stoute but the Royal runner has made plenty of friends since switching to the winter game. The well-bred Big Eared Fran was unceremoniously dumped out of the Coolmore operation and won his sole start for Tor Sturgis. The grey was subsequently purchased privately for serious money and is now trained by David Pipe. Kingston Lane looks a chasing type to note for the future. Many possibles here and Apt Approach receives the tentative nod.
Apt Approach (IRE) 5-2 (11-11) Led and disputed, led from 4f out, went clear straight, stayed on strongly, impressive, won at Gowran Park 2m 1f nhf sft in Feb beating Grancore Girl (11-2) by 14l, 20 ran.
Big Eared Fran (IRE) 4-1 (10-7) Held up, mid-division, smooth headway over 3f out, led on bit 2f out, soon clear, easily, won at Sandown 2m nhf (5) gd in Nov beating Charmaine Wood (10-7) by 8l, 14 ran.
Cockleshell Road (IRE) 20-1 (11-2) Mid-division, 9th before straight, good headway to 3rd 2f out, led 1 1/2f out, stayed on strongly final furlong, won at Fairyhouse 2m nhf hvy in Dec beating Sigma Lifestyle (11-2) by 11l, 25 ran.
Cockney Trucker (IRE) 11-4fav (11-2) Mid-division, headway after 5f, ridden 2f out, hung left and led 1f out, driven out, won at Sandown 2m nhf (5) gd in Feb beating Cyborg (10-7) by 1/2l, 13 ran.
Corkage (IRE) 5-2fav (11-2) In touch, effort over 4f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, stayed on, won at Doncaster 2m nhf (5) gf in Dec beating Heezazari (11-2) by 1/2l, 15 ran.
Corskeagh Royale (IRE) 13-8fav (11-11) Chased leaders, headway to 2nd before straight, led 3f out, ridden clear from 2f out, flashed tail, kept on strongly, impressive, won at Navan 2m nhf Grd 2 (1) gs in Dec beating Lord Over (11-7) by 8l, 10 ran.
Cottage Oak (IRE) 3-1 (11-4) Mid-division, keen hold, 5th from 5f out, 4th under 3f out, soon ridden to challenge, led over 2f out, stayed on well, won at Cork 2m nhf gs in Nov beating Sanglote (11-6) by 2l, 8 ran.
Cousin Vinny (IRE) 11-8fav (11-10) Tracked leaders, 7th 4f out, 5th entering straight, rapid headway inside final furlong, led close home, won at Punchestown 2m nhf gs in Feb beating An Innocent Man (11-13) by 1 1/2l, 21 ran.
Drive On Regardles (IRE) 6-4fav (11-9) Mid-division, steady headway into 4th before straight, ridden to challenge and lead well over 1f out, stayed on well, won at Gowran Park 2m nhf hvy in Jan beating Good Time Bob (11-2) by 2 1/2l, 15 ran.
Genuine Pearl (IRE) 9-4fav (11-9) Tracked leaders, raced wide for much, ridden to challenge and lead over 1 1/2f out, stayed on to go clear inside final furlong, won at Roscommon 2m nhf hvy in Aug beating Clonsilla Affairs (11-9) by 9l, 9 ran.
Gold Award 2-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, always travelling well, shaken up to lead well inside final furlong, readily, won at Ascot 2m nhf (3) gd in Feb beating Conflictofinterest (11-4) by 2l, 9 ran.
Keki Buku (FR) 9-2 (11-0) Held up, headway over 6f out, went 2nd over 1f out, stayed on to lead towards finish, won at Uttoxeter 2m nhf (6) sft in Oct beating Calgary Bay (11-0) by 1 1/2l, 15 ran.
Kingston Lane (IRE) 6-4fav (11-7) Made all, ridden clear over 3f out, held on, won at Chepstow 2m nhf (5) sft in Dec beating Circus of Dreams (11-0) by 1/2l, 13 ran.
Lilywhitedancer (IRE) 9-2 (11-9) Raced wide, soon led, headed halfway, led again 5f out, ridden clear from 1 1/2f out, stayed on well, easily, won at Gowran Park 2m nhf gs in Dec beating Hangover (11-9) by 13l, 19 ran.
Mahonia (IRE) 3-1 (11-4) Always handy, led over 3f out, soon clear, won at Chepstow 2m nhf (6) gs in Feb beating The Jazz Musician (11-4) by 3 1/2l, 15 ran.
Pineau De Re (FR) 7-1 (11-8) Made all, clear throughout, kept on well in straight, unchallenged, won at Fairyhouse 2m nhf gs in Feb beating Fosters Cross (11-7) by 21l, 13 ran.
Prince Geeno (IRE) 11-8fav (11-9) Chased leaders, closer in 4th before straight, soon 2nd travelling well, led from 2f out, soon ridden clear, reduced lead and held on close home, won at Naas 2m nhf sft in Jan beating Come To The Party (11-9) by 3/4l, 17 ran.
Rockiteer (IRE) 16-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway over 4f out, ridden to challenge over 2f out, every chance final furlong, kept on, 3rd of 14, 3/4l behind Divali Princess (10-1) at Taunton 2m 1f mdn nhf (5) sft in Jan.
Shoreacres (IRE) 13-2 (11-6) Chased leader 2f, remained prominent, 2nd again over 7f out, hung left well over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 3rd of 12, 12l behind Voice of Reason (11-9) at Warwick 2m nhf lst (1) hvy in Jan.
Timisvar (IRE) 5-1 (11-7) Made all, drew clear from 3f out, stayed on well, easily, won at Down Royal 2m nhf gd in Sept beating Rathdrinagh Lady (11-6) by 9l, 16 ran.
Youngstown (IRE) 11-4 (11-4) Made all, ridden over 2f out, kept on under pressure from over 1f out, won at Bangor 2m 1f nhf (5) sft in Feb beating Play On Words (11-4) by 1 1/2l, 9 ran.
Zaarito (IRE) 7-2 (11-7) Held up early, 8th halfway, 6th 6f out, headway to 4th entering straight, challenged and soon led 2f out, clear final furlong, impressive, won at Naas 2m nhf sft in Feb beating Our Matti (11-8) by 8l, 13 ran.
Lord Generous 12-1 (10-12) In touch, ridden over 2f out, led well over 1f out, ran on, won at Cheltenham 1m 4f nhf lst (1) gs in Jan beating Yonder (10-9) by 1/2l, 15 ran.
Quartetto (GER) 11-4 (10-7) Mid-division, 7th halfway, headway to close 4th 4f out, led 3 1/2f out, challenged 3f out, asserted 2f out, stayed on strongly final furlong, won at Down Royal 2m nhf hvy in Feb beating Captain Conflict (11-10) by 6l, 19 ran.
