held up in rear, not fluent 4 out, headway before 2 out, 3rd and hanging left before last, no impression run-in, lost 3rd close home
chased winner until before 8th, outpaced before 2 out, well beaten when not fluent last
mid-division on outside, took keen hold, mistake 1st, closed 4 out, not much room before last, weakened run-in
held up in mid-division, closed 4 out, ridden and outpaced before not fluent 2 out, short of room and switched right before last, hung badly right run-in, kept on, went 3rd close home
chased leaders, went 2nd before 8th, led before 2 out, ridden and headed approaching last, no impression on winner final 100 yards, kept on
led, not fluent 4 out, headed and shaken up before 2 out, led again approaching last, stayed on strongly run-in and clear inside final 100 yards
held up in rear, shaken up before 2 out, never involved, went 5th close home
NonRunner
NonRunner
This looks a big ask for the likes of Christopher Wood, Unexpected Party and Notlongtillmay while James Du Berlais made mistakes and was a long way behind Mighty Potter at Leopardstown last month. The latter is 7-9 in career starts, winning four times at the highest level, but one of his defeats came when pulled up in the Supreme Novices’ here last year, though he may have had excuses that day. James Du Berlais’ stablemate, Appreciate It, started favourite for the Arkle at Leopardstown last month but could only manage third, having been overhauled on the run-in by the staying-on Banbridge. Joseph O’Brien’s charge is proven over this longer trip but was no match for Mighty Potter at Fairyhouse. STAGE STAR jumped well and won with plenty in hand in a novices’ handicap over track and trip in January. He’ll give these plenty to think about if allowed his own way out in front but Balco Coastal is a potential fly in the ointment as he came up against a smart one in the Scilly Isles at Kempton last time and may be better suited by going left-handed here.
Appreciate It (IRE) 11-8fav (11-12) Tracked leaders, close 3rd 2 out, soon ridden, disputed 2nd at last, no impression on winner in 2nd run-in, kept on same pace, 3rd at line, 3rd of 8, 10l behind El Fabiolo (11-12) at Leopardstown 2m 1f (1) Yielding in Feb.
Balco Coastal (FR) 5-1 (11-7) Jumped left, led until after 6th, led 10th, headed 11th, led 3 out, headed before last, no impression on winner final 75 yards, 2nd of 5, 1 3/4l behind Gerri Colombe (11-7) at Sandown 2m 4f (1) gs in Feb.
James Du Berlais (FR) 7-2 (11-10) Tracked leader in 2nd, mistake 2nd, soon 4th, jumped big 3rd and pecked next, 4th halfway, pushed along after 2 out, ridden and weakened before last, last of 6, 31 1/4l behind Mighty Potter (11-10) at Leopardstown 2m 5f (1) Yielding in Feb.
Mighty Potter (FR) Evensfav (11-10) Tracked leaders, not fluent 2nd, mistake 6th, 2nd halfway, closer 2nd when not fluent 4 out, led 2 out, pushed along before last where 2 lengths lead, ridden run-in, stayed on strongly, won at Leopardstown 2m 5f (1) Yielding in Feb beating Adamantly Chosen (11-10) by 8 1/2l, 6 ran.
Notlongtillmay 11-4 (11-6) Jumped well, tracked leaders in close 3rd on inside, led 4th, made rest, came clear from 3 out, slight stumble last, stayed on strongly, won at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Feb beating Half Shot (10-5) by 9l, 6 ran.
Stage Star (IRE) 11-4fav (12-0) Prominent, led 3rd, headed 6th, led before 8th, shaken up and well in command flat, easily, won at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (2) sft in Jan beating Datsalrightgino (11-10) by 3 3/4l, 11 ran.
Unexpected Party (FR) 11-1 (11-12) Held up rear of mid-division, not fluent 10th, headway after 3 out, went 4th 2 out, went 3rd last, no impression, weakened final 100 yards, 3rd of 11, 13 3/4l behind Stage Star (12-0) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (2) sft in Jan.
Banbridge (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, dropped to 5th 3 out, soon pushed along, ridden in moderate 4th 2 out, 4th and slight mistake at last, stayed on well run-in, went 2nd at line but not trouble winner, 2nd of 8, 10l behind El Fabiolo (11-12) at Leopardstown 2m 1f (1) Yielding in Feb.
Christopher Wood (IRE) 15-8 (11-4) Held up, ridden almost upsides 3 and 2 out, kept on well from last, could not get on terms with winner, 2nd of 3, 1l behind Quel Destin (11-4) at Lingfield 2m (3) gs in Jan.
