tracked leader, mainly 2nd, took keen hold, on terms 4 out, led from next, joined briefly until led approaching straight travelling smoothly, slipped up approaching 2 out
led, joined 4 out, slight mistake 3 out and headed, soon pushed and briefly on terms again, headed approaching straight and dropped to 4th, left 3rd and slightly impeded approaching 2 out, no extra
waited with behind leaders, went 3rd before straight, soon 2nd, left in lead and impeded approaching 2 out, went on between last 2, slight mistake last, stayed on best run-in
tracked leaders, mainly 3rd, slight mistake 10th and pushed along briefly, pushed along again approaching straight, soon 2nd, 3rd when left 2nd and impeded approaching 2 out, kept on same pace from before last
waited with behind leaders, no impression in last from 3 out, left 4th approaching 2 out
COQUIN MANS gained two of his first three victories over hurdles at this trip and then scored over 1m6f on heavy going on the Flat so it's been a surprise to find him racing over the minimum in his last two runs. Both have been at grade level and, though having to concede weight all round, the return to this trip should see him back in the winners enclosure. Val De Ferbet is a very useful chaser as he showed when beating A Toi Phil a long way in a Grade 3 at Cork in April. He finished runner-up in this a year ago but it will be a surprise if he can match the selection's pace. Taglietelle, who once looked very promising winning five times over timber, was beaten a long way into third in last year's renewal and was in poor form later in the season. Admiral Brian is a decent enough handicapper but looks out of his depth as does Carigeen Acebo
Coquin Mans (FR) 9-2 (11-5) Led and pressed, ridden before last, headed approaching last where mistake, no extra in 2nd run-in, kept on same pace, 2nd of 6, 4 1/2l behind Melon (11-2) at Down Royal 2m (1) sft in Nov.
Val De Ferbet (FR) 4-1 (11-7) Led, pressed briefly 5th, headed 5 out, ridden and no impression before 3 out, kept on one pace, 2nd of 4, 24l behind Bachasson (11-4) at Thurles 2m 6f lst (1) Soft - Heavy in Nov.
Admiral Brian (IRE) 7-1 (11-11) Rear of mid-division, switched right after 3 out, soon niggled along, went moderate 4th and ridden at last, kept on same pace, never involved, 4th of 13, 10 1/2l behind Balbir Du Mathan (11-12) at Navan 2m hcp Soft - Heavy in Nov.
Taglietelle 9-4fav (12-0) won at Punchestown 1m 7f Soft - Heavy in Nov beating Kayf Supreme (12-3) by 2 3/4l, 16 ran.
Carrigeen Acebo (IRE) 33-1 (9-10) Soon close up and disputed, not fluent 16th, weakened and mistake 4 out, 9th of 14, dist behind Presenting Percy (11-10) at Fairyhouse 3m 5f hcp sft in Dec.
