jumped well, made all, drawing clear before 2 out, not fluent last, impressive
soon held up in 5th, dropped to last 8th, headway after 3 out, staying on to press for 2nd and 5 lengths down but no impression on winner when fell 2 out
with winner until 3rd, stayed 2nd until final bend, went 2nd again 2 out until last, no chance with winner, kept on
not fluent in rear, behind when mistake 3 out, stayed on approaching last, went 4th flat, never involved
held up towards rear, went 4th 11th, pushed along after 4 out, went 2nd after 3 out until 2 out, went 2nd again last, no chance with winner
chased leaders, mistake 5th, lost place 11th, ridden approaching 4 out, weakened after 3 out
chased leaders, switched right before 4 out, effort to dispute 2nd 3 out, soon beaten, weakening when left 4th 2 out, lost 4th flat
NonRunner
NonRunner
Allaho beat Janidil and last month’s Gowran winner Melon in the John Durkan at Punchestown in December and followed up in a Grade 2 at Thurles so will make a bold bid to land this for a second time. Fanion D'estruval finished tailed off 12 months ago and Mister Fisher was pulled up so it’s difficult to see either of that pair troubling the favourite this year while Shan Blue ran poorly at The Festival last year and will not get his own way out in front today. Eldorado Allen made most in the Denman so a strong pace in this looks guaranteed and that will suit the fast-improving CONFLATED, who was a worthy winner of last month’s Irish Gold Cup and runs in this rather than the Gold Cup. Saint Calvados is talented but usually flatters to deceive.
Allaho (FR) 4-11fav (11-12) Made all, 2 lengths clear 3 out, asserted approaching last, kept on well run-in, easily, won at Thurles 2m 4f (1) Good - Yielding in Jan beating Fakir D'Oudairies (11-12) by 12l, 4 ran.
Conflated (IRE) 18-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, went 2nd after 4 out and led next, asserted and went 5 lengths clear entering straight, pushed along and slight mistake last, ridden and kept on well run-in, won at Leopardstown 3m (1) Yielding in Feb beating Minella Indo (11-10) by 6 1/2l, 8 ran.
Eldorado Allen (FR) 6-1 (11-6) Led, hit 12th, narrowly headed next, chased leader, led again 4 out, 3 lengths ahead at the last, ridden and stayed on strongly run-in, won at Newbury 2m 7f (1) gs in Feb beating Royale Pagaille (11-6) by 2 1/4l, 5 ran.
Fanion D'estruval (FR) 9-2 (11-7) Held up in rear, mistake 11th, ridden before 4 out, headway to chase leading pair 3 out, well behind leaders 2 out, stayed on under pressure from last, nearest finish, 3rd of 8, 3 1/2l behind Fakir D'Oudairies (11-7) at Ascot 2m 5f (1) sft in Feb.
Janidil (FR) 7-1 (11-10) Towards rear, closer 3 out, pushed along in 6th and no impression entering straight, went 3rd at last, ridden and kept on one pace run-in, 3rd of 8, 6 3/4l behind Conflated (11-10) at Leopardstown 3m (1) Yielding in Feb.
Melon 2-5fav (11-3) Made all, not fluent at 1st, travelled well before 3 out where jumped right, asserted before last where jumped right, kept on well, easily, won at Gowran Park 2m 4f (1) hvy in Feb beating Sizing Pottsie (11-3) by 6l, 4 ran.
Shan Blue (IRE) 2-1fav (11-3) Tracked leader, eased in to lead home turn, quickened clear, shaken up after 4 out, 25 lengths clear and going well when fell 3 out, at Wetherby 3m (1) gs in Oct.
Mister Fisher (IRE) 7-1 (11-7) Midfield, headway 8th, ridden and lost ground 4 out, well beaten 2 out, came home in own time, 4th of 8, dist behind Fakir D'Oudairies (11-7) at Ascot 2m 5f (1) sft in Feb.
Saint Calvados (FR) 7-2 (11-7) Keen in midfield, lost touch 12th, blundered 13th, pulled up before 4 out, at Ascot 2m 5f (1) sft in Feb.